A.—No. 4a,
8
FURTHER PAPERS RELATIVE TO THE AGENCY
The Friendlies here have concentrated at Ruataniwha, Alatiti, Paul, and the Ngatikurupakiaka, which pas they are fortifying, and have been working at them night and day for the last week. As you know, I had intended to return to Napier by the first boat, but there being such a lack of officers, I think it better to stay, at any rate until Air. AlcLean and Mr. Richmond return in the "St. Kilda," which I suppose will be iv three days at farthest. This is written in a great hurry, but I hope that you will make something out of it. At any rate it will ease your mind. Yours, &c, J. D. Ormond, Esq., Napier. John C. St. George.
Enclosure 4 in No. 8. Copy of a Letter from Sub-Inspector A. Tuke to the General Government Agent. Sis,— Wairoa, 22nd October, 1868. I have the honor to state that a great change for the better has taken place here. In my last despatch but one I stated that the friendly scouts reported the enemy close upon us, on a hill called AVaingongoro, on this side of the Scamperdown Creek, and that one of them (Himiona) had actually with some of his people caught one of our Natives, and sent him back unhurt with overtures from them, viz.—to make the way clear for the fight with the Pakeha ; to remain neutral or join them ; also stating they were in large force with Te Kooti close by. While perfectly true that Himiona had taken the man (not 1£ mile away), and had through him communicated with the Friendlies to the above effect, the " large force " could only have been a support, and the scouts have grossly exaggerated the proximity of the enemy. I, under the circumstances, had no other course to pursue—all the evidence agreed—-a prisoner had been taken at Maru Maru, just above the settlement—their fires were constantly seen, and, with the exception of not absolutely seeing the enemy myself, there was nothing to contradict tho report of their advance. Our friendly Natives were in the greatest state of alarm, sending everywhere for help, and numerous messengers to warn me of the danger. In one case, the whole of their women and children were removed to the opposite side of the river for safety, while they slept in the scrub, their pa being unfinished. They evacuated several of their old and favourite pas for stronger positions, which they worked at night and day, and, in fact, everything tended to confirm the story of the scouts. I fully expected a double attack, and having so very weak and inefficient a force here at present, deemed it advisable to send for immediate reinforcements, and concentrate my force for the protection of Clyde and the numerous women and children. I was upheld in this course by all our principal chiefs and European residents whose opinion was worth having, and although with our large Native reinforcements we are safe from immediate attack, which is still meditated (confirmed this morning), the enemy being in large force in our vicinity, probably AVhataroa, I consider it most desirable to garrison this place, and the block house at Pakowhai, until Te Kooti is either driven out of the district or taken, as no security will be felt till then. Ihaka AVhanga and his men are all here, and the Mohaka Natives, none of whom I sent for, but the former chief being here, and considering the place in danger, sent of his own accord for his men. I most deeply regret that so much alarm has been felt, but how it could have been otherwise under existing circumstances it is difficult to say, and I am still of opinion that had the Friendlies wavered at all or Government been less prompt, we should have had an attack either here or at Pakowai. A plentiful supply of stores has arrived, but His Honor Mr. McLean having proceeded to AVaiapu we had no communication with him. I have, &c, Arthur Tuke, General Government Agent, Napier. Sub-Inspector, A.C., Commanding District.
No. 9. Copy of a Letter from Mr. Haughton to Mr. J. D. Ormond. (No. 613-3.) Colonial Defence Office, Sir,— AVellington, 27th October, 1869. I have the honor, by the direction of the Defence Minister, to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 23rd instant, and to express to you his thanks for the very ample information you have been good enough to supply. The Government consider that the letters received from Wairoa fully justify the alarm which was felt for the safety of the district, and they trust that the measures which have been adopted will, by preventing the possibility of an attack, and by tending to check effectively the demonstration of any hostile intention on the part of the Hauhaus, restore confidence to the settlers. I am further directed to inform you that as Mr. Richmond will be at Napier very shortly, it is not the intention of the Government to give any further directions with regard to the conduct of affairs, until he has been communicated with. I have, Ac, Ch. E. Haughton, J. D. Ormond, Esq., Napier. Acting Under Secretary.
No. 10. Copy of a Letter from His Honor D. McLean to Major Lambert. Sir,— Napier, 10 th November, 1868. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 7th instant, reporting that the Native expedition had returned to Clyde, and no enemy appearing, that you had, as directed by the Honorable Mr. Richmond, embarked the Napier Natives on board the " St. Kilda " for this place.