A.—No. 3c,
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EURTHER PAPERS RELATIVE TO MILITARY
No. 28. Mr. George Burton to Hon. Colonel Haultain. Napier, 12.15 p.m., 13th April, 1869. On Saturday morning news reached Wairoa that Te Kooti had killed all the out-settlers, and had entrenched himself close to the pa. lat once started for Mohaka to ascertain the truth of the matter; on reaching there I found it to be correct. I despatched a man to Wairoa to give the information, and to get as many Natives as possible. The Natives arrived on Sunday morning, and 40 of the Natives belonging to Mohaka got into the pa, under cover of Ihaka Whanga. Fighting commenced about 10 a.m. ; the Hauhaus made a track round the back to cut us off from Wairoa, which they almost succeeded in doing. They followed up as far as Waikau, and we, getting reinforcements, compelled them to retire back to Mohaka. I cannot say whether Ihaka and his people, in number about 70, got into the pa or not; if not he is still in the bush. When I left Wairoa all the Natives at the Mahia was expected, and would be ready to start for Mohaka in the morning. I shonld estimate the Hauhaus to be about 400 or 500, a great many of them are well mounted. We got some prisoners and they state that Te Kooti was getting very weak, and had very little ammunition, and if we had had a greater force he oculd have been taken that day. I kept a position close to the enemy for thirteen hours, and had a good opportunity of ascertaining their number. To Hon. Colonel Haultain, Wellington, George Bueton.
No. 29. Hon. H. R. Russell to Hon. Colonel Haultain. (Telegram No. 145.) Napier, 12.45 p.m., 13th April, 1869. Despatches just received from Lambert on the road. Captain Towgood was at Waikare only yesterday afternoon; had seen one of the A.C. come in that arrived from Mohaka. Intelligence as follows : —Te Kooti really there in person ; had been joined by other tribes, and force about 300. Remaining pa now occupied by friendly Natives of Wairoa, Te Kooti having retreated inland. Our losses not so great, but friendlies say Kooti lost heavily. Lambert has sent back the infantry to Petane, but pushes on to Mohaka with his mounted men. I shall consider what is now best to bo done. Kooti may double upon our forces, and come along an inland track which I know from Mohaka by Petane. I have sent to suspend embarkation of Natives, and also departure of mounted men, for an hour, but to have everything ready. To Hon. Colonel Haultain, Wellington. Russell.
No. 30. Hon. H. R. Russell to Hon. Colonel Haultain. (Telegram No. 147.) Napier, 1.15 p.m., 13th April, 1869. Departure of Natives for Mohaka stopped. In concert with Ormond, I am arranging for their watching the inland roads from Mohaka towards our settlement. To Hon. Colonel Haultain, Wellington. Russell.
No. 31. Hon. Colonel Haultain to Hon. H. R. Russell. (Telegram No. 373.) Buildings, 3 p.m. 13th April, 1869. I am very scrry that Te Kooti has retreated without giving us a chance, but the Napier Militia and Volunteers deserve the highest praise for the promptitude and good spirit with which they have turned out for service. This will be more formally expressed when you report their return, and you yourself thanked for your exertions and the great assistance you have rendered the Government. Keep Richardson's men in hand to move to any spot that may be threatened ; the coast line will be safe enough. To 11. R, Ru|sell, Esq., Napier. T. M. Haultain.
No. 32. Hon. H. R. Russell to Hon. Colonel Haultain. (Telegram No. 153.) Napier, 8.35 a.m., 14th April, 1869. Mr boat returned from Mohaka at 1 this morning, and handed me pencil note from Mr. Weber to Mr. Ormond, dated Mohaka, 6 o'clock last night. This is a copy (here taken verbatim from paper sent) :— " Mohaka, Tuesday, 12th, 6 p.m. —Towgood and his men, Tanner's, and the whole party [cavalry] arrived at Mohaka this morning, numbering in all about 100 men. Pound that Te Kooti had left yesterday morning. The Mohaka Natives held out in the big pa, reinforced by a small party from the Wairoa. Te Kooti said to be killed. Loss on our side —Lavin's family, Cooper and Wilkinson (known), and about forty Natives, principally women and children. Hauhau loss said about twelve killed. Enemy retreated towards Putere. Our main force, under Tanner, at the pa. Twenty men under Braithwaite at Mohaka Block-house. Colonel Lambert expected to-night at Waikare. Our force will wait his arrival here. The force are in want of ammunition. —C. Webee." I have not seen boatman yet, but have sent for him. Shall telegraph any further information. I am about despatching another boat thence to bring back information to-night, as we shall hear from