AGAINST THE REBEL NATIVES.

11

A.—No. Ba.

No. 20. Sub-Inspector Morrison to Inspector Roberts. Telegraph Office, 2nd December, 1869. Petera came into camp last night; left Te Kooti on Saturday at Tuhua with 200 men; Urewera and Ngatituwharetoa had rejoined; expected to leave every day and come this way. Kereopa is in favour of attacking Tauranga, Bay of Plenty. Te Kooti for this place, expecting Hakaraia with 100 men to join him. Poihipi has received warning letter which confirms Petera's news. 6 a.m., 3rd December. Since the receipt of your telegram of the Ist, at 5 p.m. yesterday, scouts have brought intelligence that Te Kooti is at Tc Papa with a large force. Te Papa is a long day's march from this. I think there is no doubt of his being there, or at least a portion of his force. I detain the thirty men until clearer information shall arrive. O'Hallorau and pack-horses will be at Opepc to day, as we are very short of rations. Major Roberts, Tapuaeharuru. Morrison.

No. 21. His Honor J. D. Ormond to Lieut-Colonel McDonnell. (Telegram.) Napier, 3rd December, 1869. Information has just reached'here that Te Kooti has been rejoined by Urewera and Ngatituwharetoa, also that Hakaraia was ready to join. The enemy is reported at Te Papa, and on their way towards Tapuaeharuru. I consider the intelligence sufficiently definite to require your immediately starting for Tapuacharuru, taking with you all your force except, say, fifty men, who should occupy the Native stockade in your absence. If possible, move by canoes to Tapuaeharuru, and by night, so that enemy may not know of your re-inforeing that post—quickness in this movement is everything. When your force reaches Tapuaeharuru, there will be sufficient force to meet Te Kooti at Oruanui if necessary ; but should you have reliable information that he will go on to Tapuaeharuru, await him. Consequent on these instructions, most of the convoy engaged in supplying Tokano will be sent with food to T'apuaeharuru, and food for only fifty men will go to Tokano. Should after circumstances necessitate alteration, it will be made; but these are the instructions now going forward. I rely on your acting with promptitude ; time is everything at present moment. Lieut.-Col. McDonnell, Tokano. Ormond.

No. 22. His Honor J. D. Ormond to the Hon. the Premier. (Telegram.) Napier, 4th December, 1869. Telegram just received (midnight) from Tapuacharuru. Mr. Morrison reports that Petera came into camp there yesterday night, aud reported Te Kooti at Tuhua, rejoined by the Urewera and Ngatituwharetoa, and with a force of 200 men intending to move on Tapuacharuru. Kereopa is reported in favour of attacking Tauranga, Bay of Plenty; Te Kooti, Tapuaeharuru. Hakaraia, with another hundred expected to join. Poihipi warned from other channels to same effect. On this morning, the 3rd, our scouts brought word that Te Kooti is at Te Papa with a large force, so that he is moving for Tapuacharuru. Former instructions will, I think, insure Lieut.Colonel McDonnell getting notice, and being at Tapuaeharuru with all the force than can be spared (saving garrison) from Tokano, but fresh instructions to him go from here to-night. Major Roberts leaves here in the morning for the front. Ormond.

No. 23. His Honor J. D. Ormond to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary. (Telegram.) Napier, 4th December, 1869. My telegram, written at two o'clock this morning, and forwarded to you, on Wellington office ■opening, has given you substance of the Taupo information. It amounts to this, that all Te Kooti's former force has rejoined him, and also Kereopa and a section of Hakaraia's men; the latter, with remainder of his men, being ready to join on Te Kooti advancing. This -will give him close upon 300 men. From a Native letter received this morning at Te liaroto, I learn that Lieut.Colonel McDonnell had acted upon the instructions I sent him a day or two since, and had moved with all the European part of his force, to Tapuacharuru, leaving the Arawa to garrison Tokano. So far, all has gone well. We must have close on 200 Constabulary (the pick of it), and 100 Arawa, .at Tapuacharuru, and with that force Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell will, of course, not only defend that post, but meet the enemy if he tries to pass Oruanui, where all the roads join. All we need wish is that our force may meet the enemy; the country is all open, aud everything favourable.