F.—No. 1.
PAPERS RELATIVE TO SURRENDER OF REBEL NATIVES AND EXPEDITION IN SEARCH OF TE KOOTI.
No. 1. Mr. H. T. Clarke, Civil Commissioner, to the Undee Secretary, Native Department. Sie, — Civil Commissioner's Office, Auckland, 11th August, 1870. I have the honor to transmit, for the information of the Hon. the Native Minister, the appended copy of a Report received yesterday from Major Mair, R.M., Opotiki. I have, &c, Ht. Ty. Clarke, The Under Secretary, Native Department, Wellington. Civil Commissioner.
Enclosure in No. 1. Major Mair, R.M., to Mr. H. T. Clarke, Civil Commissioner. Sie,— Opotiki, 28th July, 1870. I have the honor to report for your information that upon my return from Tauranga I found that Rakuraku (whom I informed you in a previous report I had sent into the Urewera country) and party had returned from Ruatahuna. Nepia, a young Ngatiawa chief, the spokesman of the party, says that they were very well received by the Urewera, who assured them that they were desirous of peace, but evidently showed a disinclination to move out to the coast, as they fancy that in that case they will be regarded as " Mokais." Te Whenuanui, however, told Nepia that he would come to Whakatane, and sent a message to Wepiha to build him a house. The Urewera are, so they say, undecided which way to go, overtures having been made to them from different directions; under these circumstances I have thought it best to give them a little time to think the matter over, and have written to Captains Mair and Preece to that effect. A meeting was to take place at Ruatahuna yesterday, the result of which I expect to hear about the sth proximo. Nepia and party visited all the settlements up to Kakanui, and saw all the chiefs of note except Kereru, who was at Maungapowhatu. On their return, a party of young men of the Ngatimura hapu accompanied them down as far as Ruatoki, where they remained to await the issue of the meeting and bring on the intelligence to Whakatane. In writing privately from Whakatane yesterday, I sent a copy of a letter received from the Urewera. Though it may not be apparent that much has been achieved by this mission to Ruatahuna, still I think it an important fact that a party of Queenite Natives, who a few months since were sworn enemies of the Urewera, have been permitted, uninvited, to travel through their country, and have been hospitably entertained by them. Nepia describes tho Urewera as being very ill supplied with arms and ammunition, and wretchedly clad. Te Waru and party, variously estimated at from fifty to seventy, are at Hukanui, near the lower end of the valley. Our people say that he spoke very well, and expressed a wish to make terms if he received any encouragement to do so. It appears to be pretty well established that Te Kooti is at Te Wera, between the sources of Waioeka and Motu, where he is making himself snug for the winter. Reports of his numbers are very vague. Ropata Wahawaha is here in the " Luna." He has been schooling the Whakatohea, and his visit will, I think, do Awanui and a few others good. Everything is quiet along the coast. I have, &c, W. G. Mair, H. T. Clarke, Esq., Civil Commissioner, Auckland. Res. Magis.
No. 2. His Honor J. D. Oemond to the Hon. the Defence Minister. Sie, — Wellington, 6th September, 1870. The attached correspondence with the Urewera, by Mr. Hamlin and tho Wairoa Natives, was received by me this day, and is submitted for your information. I have, &c, The Hon. D. McLean. J. D. Ormond.
Enclosure 1 in No. 2. Mr. F. E. Hamlin to His Honor J. D. Oemond. Sie,— Napier, 29th August, 1870. I have the honor herewith to enclose copies and translations of letters received from Waikare-Moana after the p.s. " Luna " had passed on from Poverty Bay to Napier last trip. The one,