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OP REBEL NATIVES, ETC.

13

T\—No. 1

Any future instructions should be sent to Tort Galatea, a convenient post for communicating through Ahikereru. Ngatiporou are expecting a call to Waikato. A feudal hatred exists, and they say the whole tribe would only be too glad to pay off old scores with the Waikato. Thos. ¥m. Poetee, J. D. Ormond, Esq., Napier. Captain.

No. 21. The Hon. the Defence Ministee to His Honor J. D. Oemond. (A. No. 88.) Sie, — Auckland, 13th February, 1871. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 6th instant, enclosing copies of telegrams from Major Ropata and Captain Porter. These officers seem to have lost no time on the way, and it is to be regretted that their efforts to come across Te Kooti have been hitherto unsuccessful. I must confess my surprise at the almost sudden disappearance of this arch-rebel. The fact of his own followers being unable to find him, proves that he must have taken refuge in some most remote spot; and I quite concur with your telegram to Major Ropata that every effort ought to be made to induce the Urewera to assist in the search. I have, &c, His Honor J. D. Ormond, Napier. Donald McLean.

No. 22. His Honor J. D. Ormond to the Hon. the Defence Minister. Sir,— Napier, 6th March, 1871. I have the honor herewith to forward the copy of a telegram received from Captain Porter, giving an account of Ropata's movements. As the steamer goes on to Auckland immediately, I have not time to refer more fully to this subject. I have, &c, The Hon. the Defence Minister, Auckland. J. D. Oemond.

Enclosure in No. 22. Captain Porter to His Honor J. D. Ormond. (Telegram.) Maungapowhatu, 18th February, 1871. We have met Ngatihuri. Renata, their chief, gave up his weapons to us. Accident has given us the desired information of Te Kooti's whereabouts ; a party of our men were out this morning and came upon a clearing wherein was an insane woman ; she mistook them for Te Kooti's people and asked after her daughter, who is with Te Kooti. It seems Te Kooti was here a few weeks back, and had returned to his kainga near Pa Puni; the men also found where he had camped, and followed the track leading in direction of Pa Puni. On consulting with Tamaikowha he said it was Te Kooti, and that Ngatihuri were hiding facts from us, and deceiving him also. Tamaikowha, who has acted throughout very straightforward, returned to Waimana bearing these letters. We follow on Te Kooti's trail, and provided he has not been previously warned we hope to fall in with him. Our food is out. Men carrying potatoes. It is uncertain where next report may be from. Ropata sends letters by mail. T. W. Porter, Captain and Adjutant.

No. 23. Lieut.-Colonel Moule to the Under Secretary, Defence Office. Sir,— District Office, Tauranga, 10th March, 1871. I have the honor to enclose herewith copy of a letter received from Captain Preece, reporting the surrender of more Ureweras. I have, &c, The Under Secretary, W. Moule, Lieut.-Colonel, Defence Office, Wellington. Commanding Tauranga District.

Enclosure in No. 23. Captain Preece to Lieut.-Colonel Moule. Sir,— Te Teko, Bth March, 1871. I have the honor to report for your information that five men and twenty women and children of Te Waru's hapu surrendered to me at this post to-day, and gave in three stand of arms. lam sending them to Matata, where the chief Kepa will take care of them. I have, &c, Lieut.-Colonel Moule, George Peeece, Captain, Commanding District, Tauranga. Commanding Te Teko. 4