A.—No. 4a,

10

FURTHER PAPERS RELATIVE TO THE AGENCY

Enclosure 3 in No. 12. Copy of a Letter from Major Lambert to His Honor D. McLean. Sib,— Te Wairoa, Hawke's Bay, 13th November, 1868. I am in receipt of your letters of yesterday's date impressing upon me the necessity of keeping a vigilant watch on the movements of the enemy, and have the honor to acquaint you that I have taken such steps as are in my power for the safety of this post. I have no idea where the enemy is stationed, as I have no intelligence as to his whereabouts ; nothing has been seen of him near Wairoa. AVith reference to the Ngatiporous, since the sad news from Poverty Bay, they have been very unsettled, expressing a wish to return home, and on my applying to them to accompany me to the Reinga they inform me that you had, in a letter to them, requested them to remain at Wairoa. This morning they appeared more settled, and intend to remain. Colonel Haultain in a letter to mo wishes me to invite a contingent of the Ngatiporous to proceed to the West Coast. I need not tell you that in my opinion nothing would induce them to proceed there, even if they could be spared from this, which at this time they cannot. I have to acquaint you that upon receiving information of the sad event at Poverty Bay, and that Captain Westrup was proceeding by the coast line to Mahia, I despatched Mr. Preece to the chief Ihaka to request him to advance to meet the fugitives, and so soon as I could procure carriage, I sent provisions for the chief and the party under Captain AVestrup. I have heard from Mr. Preece of the arrival of the party at Mahia. The chief Ihaka intended to proceed to Poverty Bay; I sent a letter requesting him not to go, but to see me, and expect him in hourly. The force here can hold this place against any force likely to attack us. 1 have made known that the " St. Kilda" will take away any of the women and children who may wish to proceed to Napier. I have, &c, C. Lambeet, Donald M'Lean, Esq., Napier. Major, Commanding Wairoa District.

No. 13. Copy of a Letter from Hon. J. C. Richmond to Lieut.-Colonel Lambert, Commanding at Wairoa. (No. 633-3.) Colonial Defence Office, Sir, — Wellington, 14th November, 1868. The Government have been unceasingly engaged since news of the Tauranga massacre in considering the means for chastising the enemy ; but upon the estimates furnished them of his probable force, and on a calculation of the means at this hour available for active operations on the East Coast, they deem it to be advisable to defer for a short time any forward movement, until a success on the West Coast shall relieve a portion of the force there, or until the levies now in progress shall be sufficient and sufficiently trained to justify and enable action on an effective scale. With so large a force as is now under arms they trust the delay may be very short. In the meantime, the Government trust to your exertions to bring the forces under your command into the best possible discipline. It is essential that they should be kept in active employment on fatigue duty, improving the strength of the post, or in training, rifle shooting and exercise in the country around, so that the morale of the men may not suffer should inaction be prolonged beyond the expectations that are at present entertained. The present redoubt or such other positions as you may judge preferable must be made practically impregnable for a small garrison of say fifty men, any buildings within or attached to it being made ball-proof by the use of split timber or earthwork, and carefully protected against fire applied from outside. Stores of food, ammunition, and medical sundries to be taken and kept up within the posts, and wells made, or if that be not practicable, in any case a tank for water to be set up and kept full. You will report by the first and every opportunity as to the probable positions, numbers, and tribal composition of the enemy's force, also as to the numbers and composition of the force on pay under you. The Government will be obliged by your suggestions as to the proper points and mode of attack, and whether to be made immediately or deferred, and the force of all kinds which in your opinion would be requisite for active operations. You are not however to consider yourself prohibited by these instructions from taking advantage of any obvious opportunity furnished by the enemy, but in any such action the circumspection necessary in all, and especially in an irregular warfare with savages must be increased by the knowledge that any reverse is likely to be widely mischievous in its effect on the temper of hesitating or even friendly disposed tribes. I have, &c, Lieut.-Colonel Lambert, J. C. Richmond. Commanding Military District, Wairoa.

No. 14. Copy of a Letter from Hon. J. C. Richmond to Captain Westeup, Commanding Colonial Forces, Poverty Bay. (No. 634-3). Same tenor and date as letter 633-3 to Lieut.-Colonel Lambert, AVairoa.