AGAINST THE REBEL NATIVES.

7

A.—No. 8U

Enclosure 4 in No. 5. His Honor J. D. Ormoxd to the Hon. the Premier. (Telegram.) Napier, 14th November, 1869. I transmit McDonnell's telegram just received; it encloses the reply from the Tuhua Natives. It seems that Te Waru, the Urewera chief, has been taken to the King; that Te Kooti is hiding in the King's country, this side of Tuhua; and that the Urewera and Ngatituwharetoa are also in that direction and keeping aloof from the King's people. " Tokano, 12th November, 1869. " The Native Renata who took the letter to Tuhua, states he got to Tuhua the day he left Tokano. The next morning he went to the kainga; Marino, the chief, was not there, having gone to Tokangamutu to take Te Waru to the King. Te Kooti is not, nor has he been, at Tuhua. The Tuhua people did not join Te Kooti; do not intend doing so. Ngatituwharetoa are at Whata-whata-a-rangi. The Urewera, Paerau, and other chiefs are at Taumarunui. Messengers have been sent to them, also to the Ngatituwharetoa, but they will not join the Ngatimaniapoto. Only saw a few men at Tuhua. Some of the Ngatituwharetoa, in looking for some of their own people, came across three of Te Kooti's people at Kahukura, who told them that Te Kooti was only waiting till his hand is well, and he will come into Taupo again. Renata told the Natives to whom he gave the letter to send it on to Marino, at Tokangamutu, and to Tawhiao, and if they had an answer to it to send by Tapuaeharuru. Te Kooti has seventy men with him. Renata saw fires on his return —thinks they were Te Kooti's —in the bush above Taumarunui, which is in the King's country." The Hon. William Fox, Esq., Wellington. Ormond.

Enclosure 5 in No. 5. , Mr. Ormond, — Petania, November 10th. To Perenera, to Te Kepa, to Hohepa, and to the Officer Pakeha. Friends, salutations to you. Renata arrived here on the 10th day (instant). The word to you is, we have not seen anything of Te Kooti. Our great dread is Te Kooti. From Te Wapu, ~ Moihi, „ Rotohiko, And from all the children of Marino te Ngohi.

No. 6. The Hon. the Defence Minister to His Honor J. D. Ormond. Sib, — Auckland, 18th November, 1869. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 15th instant, coveringdespatches from Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell, from.which I perceive that the force under his command had returned from another unsuccessful search after Te Kooti. I am, however, glad to find Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell displaying so much judgment in not pursuing Te Kooti into the Ngatimaniapoto territory without the knowledge and sanction of that powerful tribe. I would have attached considerable importance to the letter from Topia to Hare Tauteka if recent events at Waikato had not removed the anxiety which might otherwise have been felt with reference to this matter. I have, &c., His Honor J. D. Ormond, Napier. Donald McLean.

No. 7. The Hon. the Defence Minister to Henare Tomoana. Friend Henare, — Auckland, 18th November, 1869. Salutations to you. I have received your letter of the sth November, telling me why you have returned to Napier —that it was not your thought but that of the Government. It is correct. What else could be done, seeing that your force was very much in want of food ? Want of food was the principal reason why you were brought back. Friend, I am very much pleased with you, because you were the first man who hastened to assist our Maori friends at Taupo. lam very much pleased with all the Ngatikahungunu, for hastening to pursue the murderers who are causing so much trouble amongst us. That is all. Your loving friend, To Henare Tomoana, Hawke's Bay. Donald McLean.

No. 8. The Hon. the Defence Minister to Te Poihipi Tukairangi. Friend Te Poihipi,— Auckland, 13th November, 1869. Salutations to you. I wish to make clear to you the subject of my talk with Ilewi Maniapoto about Taupo.