AGAINST THE REBEL NATIVES.

15

A.—No. Sa.

No. 34. His Honor J. D. Ormond to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary. ■Sir, — Napier, 10th December, 1869. I have the honor to transmit, for your information, the enclosed letters from which you will see that the information supplied to me was sufficient to justify the steps I took to meet Te Kooti at Tapuacharuru, and of which I informed you at the time by telegraph. Fortunately information reached Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell that Te Kooti was not at Te Papa, and had not left Tuhua, aud he accordingly did not move his force from Tokano. I have, &c, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. J. D. Ormond.

Enclosure 1 in No. 34. Friends, — Tuhua, 26th November, 1869. Salutations to you both, that is you all in our trouble. This is a warning of mine to you: Be careful of Te Kooti, he is about to go to Taupo; the road he will take is either by Te Ruamata, or by Whenuakura. Enough, this is all. From To Hare, to Kingi. Marino.

Enclosure 2 in No. 34. To Colonel McDonnell, The Colonel of Taupo,— Tapuaeharuru, Ist December, 1869. Salutations to you. Petera has arrived; he says that Kereopa has joined Te Kooti; they are together. They have fixed the day they will come to fight here, and there (Tokano), at Rotorua, and at Tauranga. These are all the places he heard named by Te Kooti. Other places are mentioned, but I think it will be our places (yours and mine) ; but never mind, let the play come. The road will not be made yet. As this talk has come we must guard against attack now, and when the danger is over then we will work at the road. If we find out their movements at this side we will let you know; or if they come to you it is for you to think. From your friend. From Poihipi Tukairangi.

Enclosure 3 in No. 34. Friend, — Tapuaeharuru, 3rd December, 1869. Salutations to you. Hauraki has arrived; his talk agrees with Petcra's, that Te Kooti will come. The King is very dark in consequence. He (the King) wishes mc to go to see him. This is all that. Friend, if you should make up your mind to chase Te Kooti in the open, I am agreeable to .go, so write me a letter; but it is for you to decide whether to go or stop in your pa. This is all, from your friend. From To Colonel McDonnell. Poihipi Tukairangi.

Enclosure 4 in No. 34. Sub-Inspector Morrison to Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell. ,SiK,— Tapuaeharuru, 3rd December, 1869. I have the honor to report, for your information, that at 1 a.m. this morning two Natives came down the western side of the lake, with the intelligence that Te Kooti was at a place called Te Papa, a long day's march from this. They also say that he has 200 men with him, as Urewera and Ngatituwharetoa have rejoined him, besides Kereopa and thirty men. The Native bringing the information is of opinion (I may say that he only left Te Kooti on Sunday last) that he will attack either this place or Tauranga, Bay of Plenty. I forward this intelligence in accordance with instructions received by telegram from Major Roberts. I have, &c, H. C. Morrison, Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell, Acting Sub-Inspector Armed Constabulary, Commanding Taupo Field Force. Commanding, Tapuaeharuru.

No. 35. The Hon. the Colonial Secretary to His Honor J. D, Ormond. Colonial Secretary's Office, :Sir, — Wellington, 17th December, 1869. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 10th instant,