A,—No,-3c.

EURTHER PAPERS RELATIVE TO MILITARY

6

No. 17. Hon. H. R. Russell to Hon. Colonel Haultain. Napier, 8.45 a.m., 12th April, 1869. Oemond may be expected every minute. Rev. S. Williams says he is sure now that it is Te Kooti. I fear also it is so. To Hon. Colonel Haultain, Wellington. Russell.

No. 18. Hon. Colonel Haultain to Hon. 11. R. Russell. (Telegram) Wellington, 12.22 p.m., 12th April, 1869. From what you have told me I do not gather any positive information that Te Kooti is in force at Mohaka. Has Archdeacon Williams any other foundation for his opinion ? If attack is intended on Wairoa, the Europeans have been frequently reported to me as able to hold their own, and that their position is impregnable. To Hon. 11. Russell, Napier. T. M. Haultain.

No. 19. Hon. H. R. Russell to Hon. Colonel Haultain. (Telegram.) Napier, 9.24 a.m., 12th April, 1869. Should I offer ammunition and provisions to Natives, if any wish to go? I propose offering their passage in the two schooners, which will take them right down. I regret a force was not sent in lifeboat yesterday and by craft to Mohaka. Richardson's troop will be at Petane about 10 o'clock. Hon. Colonel Haultain, AYellington. Russell. No. 20. Hon. 11. R. Russell to Hon. Colonel Haultain. (Telegram.) Napier, 12th April, 1869. I hate seen Mr. Ormond, and told him that I would co-operate with him cordially in any measure for the safety of the Province. He met me in the most friendly spirit. A great number of armed Natives have arrived in town, and are waiting instructions. We will probably send on sixty or seventy Natives by the crafts, about forty can go in an hour. Unless you give me discretion to act, it will not do to suspend telegraphic communication any time to-day. Hon. Colonel Haultain, Wellington. Russell.

No. 21. Hon. Colonel Haultain to Hon. H. R. Russell. (Telegram.) Wellington, 1 p.m., 12th April, 1869. I see no necessity for sending any Natives to join Lambert at present; if he hears that the enemy is going to make a stand, then let them join him. You know they are not of much use, and nothing that you have sent me leads me to conclude that anything more than a dash at the ammunition is intended. If Wairoa is threatened, j'ou have the whole of Ihaka Whanga's people to assist. You are therefore not to send any Natives at present to Lambert; but you may ration such as have come into town armed and ready to march. There is no steamer available in this port; but I requested Richmond to send the " St. Kilda" back some days ago. If you have actually arranged to start Natives for Wairoa by water, let them go, but you are not to take any further steps of this kind without getting positive instructions from Government. Hon. H. Russell, Napier. T. M. Haultain.

No. 22. Hon. 11. R. Russell to Hon. Colonel Haultain. Napier, 1.45 p.m., 12th April, 1869. I hate just seen evidence of Native lad who came in boat; from it and other information there can be no doubt that Te Kooti is there and in possession of pa. I could not delay arrangements till you returned. What I have done is this: Paul Hiotoro and Paul Kawhotu start at once, mounted, 31 in all, and I agreed to give them ammunition and rations. They proceed by forced marches to get in behind Te Kooti's people to catch them on retiring. As many more Natives under Ranata go tomorrow morning in the " Grayling " cutter, hired for the trip at £15, as she can carry ; they will land cither at Mohaka or Wairoa, as may be best. They also receive ammunition and rations. I have said nothing about pay. It will be too late to get them forward when I can hear from Lambert; but if during the night information comes that enemy have bolted entirely, we can stop Renata's lot, but Major Green has just sent word to me from head-quarters, Petane, 11 a.m., that Te Kooti was in possession of pa at Mohaka. I shall send you Native lad's evidence, one of the refugees by boat, in a few minutes. There is now no doubt that it is Te Kooti, with at least 150 men, and there is a chance of catching him. Native lad's evidence —Pa, Mohaka, taken by Kooti on Sunday morning. Kooti got possession by professing friendship, then set to and killed Natives in pa 40, chiefly women and children, 13 got away, rest believed to be killed. To Kooti fired at in pa by two Natives at close