F.—No. 1

PAPERS RELATIVE TO SURRENDER

14

No. 24. His Honor J. D. Ormond to the Hon. the Defence Minister. Sir,— Napier, 15th March, 1871. I have the honor to enclose for your information copy of a letter from Major Ropata, written at Maungapowhatu, containing some account of the state of the Urewera. This letter only reached me a day or two ago, having been taken by Tamaikowha to Whakatane, and so round by Maketu and Taupo. Since then, as I have reported by telegraph, the expedition under Major Ropata has come out to Te Reinga up the Wairoa River, and Captain Porter has been here to communicate with me. I received by Captain Porter a short letter from Ropata, explaining that tho reason he had come out was want of food ; that Captain Porter would give me full information as to what the expedition had done; and requesting that after hearing the position of things I would give him such fresh instructions as were considered necessary. From Captain Porter I learnt that, acting on the information obtained at Maungapowhatu that Te Kooti was at Pa Puni, the expedition started for that place ; their supplies being done, the men had to carry potatoes, as the country they had to pass through was entirely destitute of food or settlement. Not far from Maungapowhatu the expedition struck the tracks of Te Kooti's party going towards Pa Puni, and at a cross track leading in the direction of Waikare-Moana and Ruatahuna they found a letter from Te Kooti written some time before, warning Anaru Matete to be vigilant during his absence, and saying he might be away some time. This letter gave no indication of where Te Kooti was going, or where Anaru Matete or Te Kooti's kainga was. On arrival at Pa Puni the expedition found no trace of settlement of any kind, and their food being entirely done, it was impossible to search the country, as was necessary, until supplies were obtained; th e inarch had been very distressing, and was described to me by Captain Porter as being through dense forest and across a succession of steep ranges, so that the men were tired and exhausted. The nearest point to havo made for was Poverty Bay, but Ropata preferred to make for Te Reinga and get supplies from Wairoa, as by that plan ho would be better able to keep the expedition together ; moreover, he wished to get hold of some old people of the Ngatikowhatu Tribe (Bakiroas) who were known to be living up the Ruakiture, and from whom bo hoped to get information. In this he was successful; Rakiroa, who had acted as guide to the expedition found the old people referred to, and learnt from them that three of Te Kooti's men had lately been there and gone back to Te Kooti's settlement, which was at a place called Te Haupapa, a day's journey from Pa Puni, and nearer to the coast, being one day's march inland of Ngatapa. Te Kooti himself was said to be at Waikare-Moana, where he had gone to endeavour to open communication with the Wairoa Natives. It was further gathered from the old Ngatikowhatus that Te Kooti was planning a Jcolciri on Poverty Bay, which was intended to be made at the latter end of April; and that time was chosen so that after the attack he might escape back to his stronghold, and trust to the difficulties of the season to shield him from pursuit. Te Haupapa is described as a basin in the mountains covered with high manuka, all the surrounding country being dense forest. Te Kooti is said to have three small kaingas there and large cultivations ; his men, old and young, are estimated to number forty, with a good many women and children. When the above information reached me, the wires south being down, I had no opportunity of communicating with Ministers at AVellington ; and as the steamer Napier was leaving that evening for Wairoa I sent Captain Porter back by her with supplies and a letter to Bopata, copy of which I enclose. 1 have not yet heard of tho expedition starting again, but am satisfied Ropata will lose no time in doing so after he receives his supplies. Whether he may be successful in catching Te Kooti is I think doubtful, especially if he be as reported at Waikare-Moana ; but at any rate the expedition will have every chance of securing his followers, including Kereopa, who is said to be at Haupapa, and of .destroying his kaingas and cultivations, upon which he relies for the winter. I will report further wh^-'n later information reaches me. I have, &c., The Hon. the Defence Minister, Auckland. J. D. Ormond.

Enclosure 1 in No. 24. Major Ropata to His Honor J. D. Oemond. [translation,] Maungapowhatu, ISth February, 1871. Friend, —Salutations to you. We have arrived at this place and have seen the Urewera. They are rather frightened of us. However, Erueti Tamaikowha also and his people, who have accompanied Ngatiporou and have heard their good talk and seen their good works, has written to these people, who appear to be frightened, and they are now satisfied that the proceedings of the force are very good ; and the chiefs, together with their people, have met us and have told us their good thoughts, and we have explained ours to them. The chiefs have spoken their words, which are good. Renata Te Purewa has also explained his thoughts, which are good also; and that for the future he would remain peaceable. That he had no more to say, except that if he did wrong the wrong would emanate from us. That it would bo us who would break the peace made on this land. 1 Ropata then answered him and said that I would not break it, but it would be through him befriending Te Kooti that it would alone be broken, but if he did not befriend Te Kooti no evil would come to this place. Secondly, that if he would catch Te Kooti it would then bo better than all the good that had yet been done ; that is, if I did not come across him myself. I also said to him, Let you and I both go together after Te Kooti, so that I may be convinced of your good intentions, and also know