AGAINST THE REBEL NATIVES.

9

A.—No. 8a

From the copy of telegram from Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell sent you by " Star of the South," you will perceive that he reports Te Kooti to be at Kalmkura, which I imagine to be identical with the Okahukura named in your memorandum, and I trust he may be able to find him there. I have, &c., The Hon. the Defence Minister, Auckland. J. D. Ormond.

No. 13. His Honor J. D. Ormond to Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell. (Telegram.) Napier, 16th November, 1869. I have just received letter from Mr. McLean, who has returned to Auckland. He tells me as follows : —Te Kooti cau be followed to Moerangi, to Te RuaMata and Matawaio, and Whanganui, to Okahukura', Rotoaira, and to Waihi, and Taupo, Poru, and on to Mania Kuratau, and end there. Tuhua is Rewi's country. From your last despatch 1 gather that Kooti is at Okahukura, if so you can have at him, but Aye must not go to or beyond Tuhua. If Kooti goes there Rewi has promised to take him. I send you this at once in order that you may have a try for him before I get up. I shall leave here Friday morning. Send me word back when you will return from the expedition I hope you will be able to undertake on receipt of this. Your message will probably meet mc on the road, and I can arrange my movements accordingly. Mr. McLean's instructions not to go to, or beyond, Tuhua arc imperative, but he encourages action within the limits I have given you. I trust you may have success and hope to be with you as I have mentioned. Ormond.

No. 14. His Honor J. I). Ormond to the Hon. the Premier. (Telegram.) Napier, 17th November, 1869. Referring to my instructions to Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell, which were repeated yesterday to you, the following extract from despatch from Mr. McLean will show what I acted very willingly upon : —" Should Te Kooti find his way upon Rewi's territory, it is agreed his people shall either resist or capture him. On your side, within the limits referred to, punish and if possible destroy this rebel and his band." I have already advised you that Te Kooti is believed to be in the district open to our operations. Roberts has replied to my notice to look out for Hakaraia. He says the convoy from Kaiteririra is in great danger if movement be carried out. He has moved to protect it. To the Hon. W. Fox. Ormond.

No. 15. His Honor J. D. Ormond to the Hon. the Premier. (Telegram.) Te Haroto, 19th November, 1869. I reached here about 4 o'clock, and have remained for night. Mr. Locke has just arrived from Tokano. Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell has visited all the country up to Tuhua but no trace of Te Kooti. He complains that food is very short and badly wanted. I must put on some more horses even to meet absolutely necessary requirements. lam sending orders to Napier to purchase ten more and send them on at once. I shall send on the horses now working between here and Runanga to assist supplying the front, and those to be purchased will take their place on this part of line. My idea is that unless some information can be obtained as to Te Kooti's whereabouts, the force at Tokano must be considerably reduced. I will see when I get there, and do best I can. The road works only wait a meeting with Poihipi to start them. Messenger to Nini had not returned when Locke left. Answer will be there by time I reach Tapuacharuru. I start early to-morrow. McDonnell says Te Kooti is in the King's country. Kemp and Wanganuis are still at Tokano and anxious to get home, I hear. With the horses I propose now to buy we shall do well enough.. The ten will only cost £80. Anything for mc will find mc here up to early morning. To the Hon. W. Fox. Ormond.

No. 16. Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell to His Honor J. D. Ormond. Sir, — Camp, Tokano, 22nd November, 1869. I have the honor to report that, finding it impossible to obtain food for the Wanganui Natives any longer, I have been reluctantly compelled to send them back to their homes. When informed of the probable attack by Hakaraia, I asked them to remain, though it was arranged they were to leave this day week. They, however, cheerfully consented to stay, and since then have searched for and scraped up food as they best could ; the last potatoes they had to go thirty miles for. Seeing then no appearance of Hakaraia, and no chance of feeding the Wanganuis, I have 3