AGAINST THE REBEL NATIVES.

A.—No. Ba,

35

No. 88. Mr. Firth to the Hon. the Defence Minister. (Telegram.) Cambridge, 17th January, 1870. A messenger has just arrived here from Te Kooti with the following message : —" Hohaia, will You meet mc at a place to be fixed? I wish to see you, the friend of William 4 1amihana. I will not harm you." I have replied, " I will meet you at Tamihana's Monument." If you desire to use this meeting, which may be an opportunity for laying a foundation for a lasting peace, telegraph to me the words you wish me to say to Te Kooti, and I will meet him and say that on behalf of Government. You know my opinion. A general amnesty on peace being proclaimed is the only foundation on which you can build a lasting peace. No advantage must be taken of this communication to seize Te Kooti. Do not permit a man (constable) to move from Waikato into this district. Lose no time in replying. From J. C. Firth, Per S. J. Owen.

No. 89. The Hon. D. Pollen to J. C. Firth, Esq. (Telegram.) Auckland, 17th January, 1870. Mr. McLean is at Tauranga. I have no word to say to Te Kooti but this :If he will surrender unconditionally, I will guarantee his safe conduct as a prisoner to Auckland. No movement from Cambridge will be made until your interview is over. Daniel Pollen, J. C Firth, Esq., through Cambridge. Agent General Government.

No. 90. Mr. Commissioner Branigan to Lieut.-Colonel Moule. (Telegram.) Auckland, 17th January, 1870. Mr. Firth is going to meet Te Kooti at Thompson's Monument at Matamata. Let no movement be made from your side until meeting is over. St. John Branigan, Lieut.-Colonel Moule, Hamilton. Commissioner A.C.F.

No. 91. Mr. Firth, Matamata, to the Hon. Dr. Pollen. (Telegram.) Cambridge, 18th January, 1870. ]\i o _ 5.—1 me t Te Kooti yesterday. He said to me, "I do not wish to fight any more." I said to him, " Say to the Government, 'I will surrender if you will spare my life and the lives of my followers.'" To this he said, " I wish to live in peace at Tapapa with Hakaraia. If the Government will let me alone I will never fight again ; but if they jump on me from all sides, I will up and fight." On my return your message arrived. I have sent it to him. The Hon."Dr. Pollen. J. C. Firth.

No. 92. Mr. Firth to the Hon. Dr. Pollen, Auckland. Matamata, 10.30 a.m., 18th January, 1870. jf 0< (j.—Since sending off No. 5, a message has arrived from Te Kooti with this message to you : «To Dr. Pollen. Friend, I have seen your letter. My word to you is, I had consented to sit down (remain quiet) and to cease fighting. Subsequently your letter arrived and I saw it. My word to you is, fighting has ceased by mc, i.e. on my part, ceased entirely. But I will not go to (or visit) Auckland, I shall remain in peace. The slaying shall cease, but it will be for you to (or should you), pursue me it will be well. Friend, let your trying to kill me cease. That is all. —From Te Kooti." Send Mr. McLean's reply if possible ; if not, reply. The Hon. Dr. Pollen. J. C Firth.

No. 93. The Hon. Dr. Pollen to J. C Firth, Esq. (Telegram). Auckland, 19th January, 1870. Mr. McLean has not returned from Tauranga. I cannot parley with Te Kooti in his present attitude. Daniel Pollen, J. C Firth, Esq., by Cambridge. Agent General Government.