A.—No. 3c,
10
EURTHER PAPERS RELATIVE TO MILITARY
No. 39. Captain Withers to Hon. Colonel Haultaln. Sic— Wairoa, Wednesday, 14th April, 1869. I have the honor to inform you that I arrived on Thursday at this place. On Friday the prize-firing took place. On Saturday I went to Te Kapu, and on my return, at 4 p.m., I was informed that Mohaka had been attacked by Te Kooti in person, with a very strong force. On the day following a party of Natives (friendly) under Ihaka Whanga, with Mr. Worgan, Interpreter, started for Mohaka without my knowledge. As soon as I learnt this I started in person to do all I could with them to relieve the people at Mohaka. On my reaching the high ground which overlooks the Mohaka Valley, I found Mr. Worgan, Mr. Burton, and a great party of Ihaka AVhanga's people occupying the heights over the latter place, a position which I considered of very great importance. Ihaka and some forty of his men occupied a knoll between me and the enemy some 300 or 400 yards. I tried to get down to them, but failed, from the very hot fire which was poured into us by the enemy from the hills opposite. I then returned to the heights, and saw that Mr. Worgan occupied the key of the position with a number of Natives quite strong enough to turn the tide of affairs in our favour, had the Natives held it as they ought to have done. Unfortunately, I knew nothing of the Native language, but after being there some time, and seeing the Hauhaus trying to outflank us, Mr. Worgan informed me that our Natives were about to start for the Wairoa; this I could hardly believe, considering their chief Ihaka Whanga was in the valley below, in great danger; but, unfortunately, it proved too true; in a very short time there was not a Native left with Mr. Worgan and myself, who, being thus left without any assistance, had to run for our lives, followed closely by the Hauhaus as far as Waihau, a distance of nine miles. I yesterday organized a force of seventy Natives (Ihaka Whanga's people) with some twenty European settlers, men on whom I knew I could depend, for the purpose of rescuing Ihaka, if still alive, and also relieving the Natives in the pa at Mohaka. Unfortunately I met Ihaka some four miles from Wairoa, on the beach. On his representation the Natives determined to return, he reporting that the Hauhaus were in too great force to be attacked by so small a body. I then returned, much against the wishes of the Europeans who accompanied the expedition. This morning, feeling still that something ought to be done to relieve those people in the pa who had held out so long against a force so superior in numbers, and serving under a man who is believed by his followers to bear a charmed life, I tried to organize, in conjunction with Messrs. Worgan and Saunders, a force to start to Mohaka, but utterly failed, the Natives refusing to go, alleging that they had no hope of doing anything, and fearing that an attack might be made on their pas here. Finding that I could do nothing by land, Toha suggested that provisions and ammunition should be sent down by boat, he himself commanding. I despatched two boats at 10 a.m. with the above, accompanied with Mr. Saunders. I have every confidence that I can, with the force under my command (viz., the Armed Constabulary, Militia, and Volunteers), hold the Wairoa against any force that Te Kooti and Te Warn combined can bring against me, so long as I have ammunition and provisions, and I am happy to say that I am ably supported by Captain Spiller, and the whole of the officers, non-commissioned officers, and men of all corps in this place. I have, &c, The Hon. the Defence Minister, E. Withees, Captain, Wellington. Commanding Local Forces, Te Wairoa.
No. 40. Mr. C. E. Haughton to Lieut.-Colonel Lambeet. (No. 190-3.) Colonial Defence Office, Sib,— Wellington, 20th April, 1869. I am instructed to acknowledge receipt of Captain Withers' telegraphic memo, of the 16th instant, reporting his efforts to relieve Mohaka, and that he could hold,Te Wairoa against any force the enemy could bring against it, and to request you will be good enough to convey to that officer Colonel Haultain's entire approval of the steps he took to endeavour to relieve the Mohaka, on the occasion of the recent visit of Te Kooti's band of murderers. I have, &c, C. E. Haughton, The Officer Commanding Militia District, Napier. Acting Under Secretary.
No. 41. Captain Spiller to Lieut.-Colonel Lambeet. Sir,— Wairoa, 14th April, 1869. I have the honor to report for your information that on Saturday last it was reported to me that M6haka was attacked by Te Kooti and a strong force. I immediately despatched three mounted men in company with Mr. Burton, whom I knew to have an accurate knowledge of the country, to ascertain the truth of the report. I lost no time in organizing a force of friendly Natives, who were quickly on the road to Mohaka. I then ordered Mr. Worgan, interpreter, to collect another force, and proceed the following morning, the first thing, as a support to those that had gone on. I called out the Militia and Volunteers for active service. Captain Withers was, at the time the news arrived, at Te Kupu, paying the detachment at that post. On his return I reported the circumstance to him and what I had done. About 2 o'clock Mr. Burton returned, and reported that the friendly Natives were retreating, and that they could not be made to stand, and that the enemy was in great force. The communication between Wairoa and Napier being cut off, I chartered the schooner " Murawai" to convey despatches, women, and children; and requested Mr. Burton to proceed to Napier, as he had just returned from Mohaka, to report the circumstances to the authorities. In order to strengthen my