A.—No. Ba.

12

PAPERS RELATIVE TO MILITARY OPERATIONS

of the renewal of the attack reaching Lieut.-Colonel Herrick, he moved at once to support Henare, and will have reached Tauranga to-night with from fifty to sixty men of the Mounted Constabulary, and a supply of food and ammunition, No. 2 Division Constabulary following. By last night, also, a force of about seventy Natives would have arrived at Tauranga from Tapuaeharuru, so that I trust Henare was able to hold out until these supports reached him. Supposing all our forces have come together, as I believe they must before this, we shall have a strong force not far short of 500 men to act against Te Kooti; and unless he is backed by Waikato or Ngatimaniapoto, a contingency which I am inclined to think is not improbable, our men ought to give an account of him. Providing supplies is the greatest difficulty I have to encounter in the present operations. The friendly Natives are relying mainly on getting possession of the Rotoaira and Tokano settlements, where they know there is plenty of food, but which is at present in possession of Tc Kooti. I am doing all I can to keep up the supply of food, but the difficulties are enormous. The Hawke's Bay Natives arc in a state of great excitement at the late intelligence; messengers have been sent to-day to the inland settlements, telling the people to meet at Tarcha's pa on the Ahuriri plains, to be ready for any contingency that may arise; they insist that Te Kooti is supported by Waikato, and that we have heavy work before us at Taupo; they are in good spirits however, and ready to act as they may be desired. I shall advise you immediately by means of the telegraph, of any important information that may be received. I have, &c, The Hon. Colonial Secretary, Wellington. J. D. Ormond. Enclosure in No. 8. His Honor J. D. Ormond to Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell. Sir,— Napier, 6th September, 1869. You will have already received letters from me stating that the Hon. the Defence Minister has sanctioned my availing of your services, and requesting you to come to Tc Haroto to communicate with me. By letter from Hare Tautcka received this morning, I learn that you are at Patea. I also learn that Hare Tauteka's force has returned to Patea from Poutu, not feeling strong enough to hold their own : also that Te Kooti is reported to have fallen back towards Moerangi. I have first to inform you, that the Hon. the Defence Minister has approved my wish that you should have command of any operations that maybe undertaken against Te Kooti at Taupo. I have now to convey to you such information as may be necessary to acquaint you with what is being done, and what I wish you to do in furtherance of such operations. First, with regard to your own movements : upon receipt of this, move the whole Native force at Patea up to Taupo; you will be met there by 120 mounted Natives under Henare Tomoana and Paora Kaiwhata, who are at Runanga to-day, and move forward to Taupo tomorrow morning. They will also be accompanied by Paora Hapi's men. Henare has a good supply of ammunition with him, (eleven kegs). You will endeavour to ascertain Te Kooti's position, and any information you can as to his probable movements. Should you find Te Kooti in a position in which he can be attacked with advantage, it will be desirable if possible that you should communicate with Lieut.-Colonel Herrick at Runanga. There are 130 Constabulary at that post, who could be availed of in any general movements upon Te Kooti; and as we have all the canoes on Taupo Lake at Tapuaeharuru, in charge of Pohipi's people under Captain St. George,—the Constabulary, and also 100 Natives from Tapuaeharuru, could be landed by their means on the west side of the lake, starting from, say Hatcpc, to assist in any movements that may be practicable. It is of course impossible to convey absolutely definite instructions, much must depend upon what you find the state of things at Taupo. I must however impress upon you that it is essential that no move should be made at the present moment into the King's country that would complicate matters with the Waikatos. If Te Kooti has returned into their country, we must not at present follow him. I depend greatly upon your discretion and also upon your ability to act, should action be open to you. Supplies are being hastened up to Te Haroto for your Native force; however you will have to depend upon the resources of the Patea Natives. In the event of Te Kooti having retired, could you arrange for the permanent occupation of Rotoaira by a Native force, Government would, I think, be inclined to subsidize such an occupation if it were efficient. Keep up communication with me as regularly as possible; a trooper will be stationed at Messrs. Williams and Herrick's Native run, Ngaruroro Gorge, who will bring on despatches. Patea orderly will in all cases await reply before proceeding back. Expecting to hear from you shortly, I have, &c, J. D. Ormond, Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell, General Government Agent, East Coast District. Patea.