A.—-No. 8a

20

PAPERS RELATIVE TO MILITARY OPERATIONS

I was able to obtain very little information about Te Kooti's movements. A Titiraupenga Hauhau named Hauraki came in while I was at Tapuaeharuru, and gave mc the following information : —Up to the 21st Te Kooti was still at Tuhua ; he has been rejoined by the Urewera and Ngatituwharetoa. His force numbers about 200 men, made up as follows : — Urewera . . .. .. . . .. . . 100 Chatham Islanders. . .. .. . . . . .. 60 Ngatituwharetoa and Stragglers . . . . . . . . 40 200 His attitude is rather defiant, and when the King wrote him a letter telling him to sheath his sword and come and live in peace at Tokangamutu, he contemptuously tore up the letter, threw it into the Wanganui River, and said to the messenger : " Return to Tawhiao and tell him I will not sheath the sword; that when I go again to Tokangamutu it will be to raise the sword, not to lay it aside. The Ngatituwharetoa (Te Hapuiti and Nini's people) concealed Te Kooti in the most inaccessible place while he was suffering from his wounds. The Ngatituwharetoa lost ten or twelve men in the fight at Porere, and they say they will not give in till they have made utu for them. Te Maka, —a very troublesome Native who escaped from Orakau with two wounds, and has since lived at Pukawa and To Anapoupou, —Mohi, Te Kooti's younger brother, and Nini's son, together with several men of note, were killed at Porere. The general idea among the Taupo friendlics is that Te Kooti will make his escape into the Patetere district by Maraeroa (the north end of the Titiraupenga Ranges). Hauraki proposes that a force be stationed at Te Niho-o-te-Kiore to prevent Te Kooti from crossing the Waikato River at that point and easily force his way over the Kaingoroa Plain to Tauaroa, where he would be again in the fastnesses of the Urewera country. I have, &c, The Civil Commissioner, Auckland. Gilbert Mair.

No. 51. Mr. J. Booth to the Hon. the Premier. Sir, — Ranana, 31st December, 1869. I have the honor to report that news has just come down the river from Maraekowhai to the effect that Topini te Mamaku has withdrawn his opposition to the taua of Kemp and Topia going up the river in search of Te Kooti, and that he and his people arc supplying the taua with food. When the taua reached. Whakahoro, on this side of Maraekowhai, they were met by Aporo, from Te Kuiti. He had been making a great effort with Te Kooti to induce him to throw himself on the protection of Tawhiao, but without effect. He then came on to try and induce Topia to return. His efforts with Topia were fruitless. On arriving at Maraekowhai, Topini and his tribe were there to meet them. After two war dances, Topini asked Topia to go back, which the latter refused to do. He then withdrew his opposition, supplied them with food, and informed them that Te Kooti is at Makokomiko, not more than a day, or a day and a half, from Maraekowai. Before leaving Maraekowai a messenger arrived from Te Kuiti, with a letter from Manuwhiri for Topia, (enclosed) approving of everything the latter has done. I will enclose copy of I'opia's letter to Tahana, with translation. As the taua was to leave Maraekowai on Monday, the 27th ultimo, they have probably had an engagement with Te Kooti before this rain came on. I have, &c, The Hon. the Premier, Rangitikei. James Booth, R.M. *

Enclosure 1 in No. 51. To Hare Tauteka, To Turei,— Arimatia, 30th December, 1869. O Parent, we have seen Topini te Mamuku. His word was that wc must return. He said so in earnest, as did Aporo also. Topia would not consent. Topia replied, " Where is the King's letter ?" They said they had none. On the 26th instant, Iluiatahi arrived with a letter from the King (written by his authority). It was to this effect: — " To Topia Turoa, To Tahana,— Salutations to you. " Rire, rirc, pai marire. O Son, this is the word. O Father, O Parent of Glory, the one who binds me to this world, glorify me with thy glory. " Now, 0 Father, unite or bind together the people of the world, for the fountain of life is now placed at the right hand, and the fountain of red water on the left. " However, O Father, let the people be gathered together; let there be no division. " That is the purport of the confirmed speech of the Almighty. Written by me, " By Manuwhiri." Those were the words contained in the King's letter. As to us, we are this day close upon Te Kooti. Ngarauru proceeds hitherward. Sufficient. From Te Wibihana.