A.—No. 13

PAPERS RELATIVE TO NATIVE

28

Enclosure 2 in No. 51. Copy of a Letter from Mr. R. Paeeis to Colonel Whitmoee. (No. 47.) Sic,— New Plymouth, 11th March, 1869. In further reference to the subject of my letter of the 4th instant I have the honor to inform you that Hone Pihama, who arrived here yesterday, tells me that the young chief Tito Hanataua, with part of his followers, have left Titokowaru's camp, on account of a disagreement about women, and aro now at Te Ngahere, Ahitana's place. That Titokowaru is not expected to return to Te Ngutu-o-te-Manu, but that he is more likely to keep about the ranges inland of the Patea and Waitotara Districts; and the reason assigned for it is that they are getting very short of ammunition, and therefore consider it necessary to keep about in such places as have the greatest facilities for escaping when attacked, which the district eastward of Waihi is favourable for, having numerous tracks leading away into the interior, in the direction of the Upper Whanganui and Ngatimaru Districts, whereas the back tracks from Ngutu-o-te-Manu are easily intercepted, having Mount Egmont behind. This last information respecting scarcity of ammunition, &c, was supplied to me with a strict injunction not to tell any one but yourself and the Government, from whom I obtained it, as Hone Pihama considers it would endanger his life if the rebels discovered that he had made it known to us. Whether or not they are likely to get a supply of ammunition from other tribes it is impossible to say, and I wish to guard myself against leading you to suppose that the usual precautions when attacking them would be unnecessary. I have, &c, The Hon. Colonel Whitmore, R. Paeeis, Commanding Colonial Forces, Patea, Whanganui. Civil Commissioner.

Enclosure 3 in No. 51. Copy of a Letter from Mr. R. Paeeis to Hon. Colonel Whitmoee. (No. 49.) Sic,— New Plymouth, 11th March, 1869. I have the honor to inform you that up to the present time nothing whatever has been seen of the Ngatimaniapotos this side of the White Cliffs since the late massacre at Pukearuhe. The Ngatiawa and Taranaki Tribes continue quiet so far, and speak in reprehensible terms of tho conduct of Ngatimaniapoto ; but it is very difficult to form an opinion as to what will arise out of these new complications. In addition to the one hundred Constabulary which you sent us, forty men arrived last week from the Thames, who were sent down by Major Cooper for the Government. The men are put on as Bushrangers, to increase the number which was enrolled for service in December last, about forty. I have, &c., The Hon. Colonel Whitmore, R. Paeeis, Commanding Colonial Forces, Patea, Wanganui. Civil Commissioner.

Enclosure 4 in No. 51. Copy of a Letter from Mr. R. Paeeis to the Hon. the Defence Ministee. (No. 55.) Sib,— New Plymouth, 13th March, 1569. I have the honor to forward herewith, for your information, copies of letters of dates and numbers as per margin, which I have sent to the Hon. Colonel Whitmore. From the latest information which I have received, it would appear that Titokowaru's party is breaking up from various causes, such as disagreements among themselves, a scarcity of food, and, tho most important of all —very short of ammunition. The general opinion of the friendly Natives of the Ngatiruanui tribes is, that Titokowaru will remain with the Ngaraurus in the Waitotara ranges known as Taringamutu. That most of his own tribe will make Te Ngahere, Ahitana's place, their head-quarters, moving about therefrom in search of food, and watching the movements of our forces. There is to be a large meeting of Natives at Pariaka, inland of Warea, the ensuing week, and about twenty of the Ngahere Natives are already there. 1 have been invited to attend, but have declined in consequence of the uncertainty of the movements of the Ngatimaniapotos on our northern frontier; lam sending some of our Assessors to attend the meeting. I have, &c, R. Paeeis, The Hon. the Defence Minister, Wellington. Civil Commissioner.

Enclosure 5 in No 51. Copy of a Letter from Colonel Whitmoee to Mr. R. Paeeis. (No. 46—A.D.C.) Sib,— Patea, 14th March, 1869. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 11th instant, No. 47, and that of the same date, No. 49. I have to thank you for the information they contained, which is confirmed by prisoners I have taken. Yesterday morning I surprised Titokowaru's camp near Otautu on the Patea River, above Otoia,