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FURTHER PAPERS RELATIVE TO MILITARY
No. 41. Lieut.-Colonel Lambeet to Hon. Colonel Haultain. Militia and Volunteer Office, Sib,— Wairoa, 15th April, 1869. I have the honor to report that I left Mohaka at 1 o'clock p.m. yesterday, leaving SubInspector Richardson in charge, and arrived at Wairoa at 4.30, and found every preparation made for the defence of the place, the Militia and Volunteers called out, and many of the women and children gone to Napier. I shall wait a few days, and then dismiss the Militia and Volunteers. Captain Spiller reports he despatched a party of Natives on the 10th instant to the relief of Mohaka under Ihaka Whanga, who, in the most gallant manner, succeeded in throwing into the pa a party of Mohaka Natives, about forty in number; this was a most brilliant affair, and the party was led by Constable Hill of the mounted Constabulary, and who is reported to have behaved with great daring and courage, and the example he set did much to secure the success of the relief and defence of the pa. It appears to me that had the Natives moved in greater force from the Wairoa, a serious blow might have been inflicted upon the Hauhaus. You will see from the Wairoa reports that Te Waru has not been seen or his place attacked. Mr. Burton, a gentleman residing at Wairoa, who knows the country around perhaps better than any other person, he having been employed surveying for some time; this gentleman has on several occasions rendered great service to the Government, and was out with Mr. Worgan, assures me that the Natives will not go so far from home by themselves as where Te Waru is said, to be. He also informs me that both he and Te Kooti can be got at from the East Capo as well as from Wairoa. Mr. Burton will willingly assist the Government as a guide or in any way his services can be useful, and I strongly recommend you to take advantage of this offer. Mr. Burton is well known to Mr. Richmond. I have no doubt that the enemy, who left Mohaka on Monday last, have now r got back to the Urewcra country out of our reach, without a properly organized force be sent against them. In my opinion the Wairoa will not be attacked by Te Waru at present. You, with me, must see how defective our information has been relative to the movements and whereabouts of Te Kooti. I have a note from Mr. Hamlin in which he states that Wirihana's wife reports that he was to pass through the Taupo plains on Saturday last, the very day he was at Mohaka, if he was there ; if not, why we have another enemy ; is it not possible that the party who made the raid on Mohaka were Ureweras and not Te Kooti's party ? It may have been Te Waru, if Mr. Hamlin's intelligence is worth anything. In my telegram from Mohaka I stated that the enemy there w ras about 150; this was about the number attacking the pa, those engaged by the Wairoa Natives were not seen by my informant. On Tuesday a party of twenty Europeans and about seventy Natives started for Mohaka to look for Ihaka Whanga, who_had been cut off when the pa had been relieved, he was met about four miles from Clyde, returning. The Natives, who had three days' rations and some ammunition served out to them, refused to proceed further, and returned to Clyde. On Wednesday Captain Withers, finding he couldnot induce the Natives to proceed overland, sent two boats with provisions and ammunition, which arrived about three p.m. same day. It appears that the Natives were reluctant to leave their families and homes, and have a great dread of meeting with Te Kooti or Te Waru. I shall see the chiefs as soon as I can; I would have seen them to-day, but we are having much wind and rain ; besides, it is very cold, in which the Natives will not move. I have reason to believe that about 150 Natives may be had here who will be useful, but the mass under the old chiefs are not to be relied upon. I have, &c, C. Lambeet, Hon. Colonel Haultain, Wellington. Lieut.-Colonel Commanding Local Forces.
No. 45. Mr. C. E. Haughton to Lieut.-Colonel Lambeet. (No. 189-3.) Colonial Defence Office, Sib,— Wellington, 20th April, 1869. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your telegraphic memorandum, dated 16th April instant, reporting expedition to relieve Mohaka, and the devastations and murders committed by the rebel Natives in their attack upon that settlement. I am directed by the Defence Minister to express to you his sense of the zeal and energy which have distinguished your conduct in this affair, and to request that you will, in the name of the Government, thank the Militia and Volunteers for their services, rendered with such promptness and spirit. Nothing could have been better, and their example will have a good effect throughout the Northern Island. I have, &c, Lieut.-Colonel Lambert, C. E. Haughton, Commanding Militia District, Napier. Acting Under Secretary.
No. 46. Hon. H. R. Russell to Hon. Colonel Haultain. (Telegram No. 215.) Napier, 10.59 a.m., 19th April, 1869. The Natives at Mohaka have written me an urgent appeal for some food and clothing, as they have literally lost everything ; and their defence was a very gallant one, and, from its obstinancy, no doubt prevented the war party from making an attack on the Wairoa or Petane, and at out-settlements, before assistance could reach. Captains Tanner and Towgood, who saw the havoc with their own eyes, strongly recommend the Government to send immediate relief. They have given me a list of articles