OF REBEL NATIVES, ETC.

15

F.—No. 1.

that we are one in this peace which has been brought to this place. Now this is a word about the wish of Whenuanui and Paerau which you directed me to carry out by going with soldiers to Ruatahuna to look after the Urewera. I came by the road that Te Kooti went to Tologa Bay. When I arrived at Maraetahi I gave up the idea of going on a fighting expedition, and went from there to Waimana on the instructions you sent me to collect the remnant of the Urewera at Ruatahuna. When I got to Waimana I met Tamaikowha who had been waiting for me there. He asked me what I had come for. Whether to seek payment for my dead body [one of his men who was killed in a former expedition]. I made answer and said, No; if I were to do so it would be a crime. Had I sought revenge at the time of the man's death it would have been right, but I have come to collect the remnant of the Urewera to Ruatahuna. Paerau and Whenuanui requested the Government to do this, and they are going to do so, and lam here for that purpose. When Tamaikowha heard this he said it was good, but that there was no one at Ruatahuna, —that they were at Ruatoki. That the people belonging to this place were here, —that the Maungapowhatu people were there. That they were not assembled at Ruatahuna because peace had been made by me with this place. I then said to Tamaikowha The reason that Paerau and Whenuanui are cautious, —they are afraid Te Kooti will kill them. He said, Te Kooti will not come here. If he comes here disturbing my people I myself will catch him. I then said to him, You are hiding Te Kooti. He said, Seek through all my places and satisfy yourself lam not hiding Te Kooti. Te Kooti is not here. You have left him behind you. You can depend on this word of mine, that if you go by Maungapowhatu, and find any foot marks at Te Ihu o Maungapowhatu, be sure it is Te Kooti. I fully believe what Tamaikowha has said. What he has pointed out is quite clear, and lam going to the place he told us of. It will not be known, as it will depend on To Makenu. If Te Makenu is found I will forward word to you in a short time. Tamaikowha will return from here: as soon as I start he will start for Waimana and all other surrounding places. I am going to write to the people who are staying at Opotiki, Ohiwa, and Whakatane, telling them not to come up here lest the Urewera get frightened—or rather for fear they might kill some of the Urewera. From your friend, Mr. Ormond, General Government Agent. Major Ropatji..

Enclosure 2 in No. 24. [Translation.] His Honor J. D. Oemond to Major Ropata. To Major Ropata,— Napier, 7th March, IS7I. Friend, I have received your letter which Captain Porter brought, and I have heard from him of your expedition. When I heard what you had done, and that you had urged that the pursuit of Te Kooti might be continued, and after giving consideration to the reports which you heard as to his whereabouts, I havo come to tho conclusion that you should continue to exert yourself, and complete the work which you have commenced. I gather, from what Captain Porter says, that you know where Te Kooti's place is,—that is, the place where his people are, and where his cultivations are, but that that reptile himself has gone to AVaikare. Perhaps further information may contradict this. However, if these reports are absolutely correct, I think that you should at once go with a force to Waikare, so that he (Te Kooti) may be caught there, that is, if he does not escape first. You will receive further information from the people of the Wairoa, who will tell you about the canoes and other things at that place, and there you will be able to fix some plan for catching him (Te Kooti) ; that is to say, the exact way in which he is to be caught, for definite instructions cannot be given from here. I believe that should he be driven from Waikare, he will make straight for that place of his. If he should not be caught at Waikare, follow him up as quickly as possible ; he and his people may then very probably be caught at his place. The steamer leaves to-day for the Wairoa, to take the food for you, to keep your strength up, in order that you may be able to carry out the arrangements which may be decided upon; that is to say, the arrangements which may lead to a speedy capture of Te Kooti. This is a word to you respecting your present expedition; that is to say, the assembling of the Urewera at Ruatahuna. Do not give too much consideration to that, and so leave open the work of pursuing Te Kooti: do not do that, for the pursuit of Te Kooti is the most important work; you should find out where his places are, and should destroy and burn his places and his food. Do not leave them, but write to me before you go, and inform me of your route, and what you intend to do on tho way. I will lay before Mr. McLean and the Government your reports, and those of Captain Porter, for their information. Your friend, Major Ropata. J. D. Ormond.

No. 25. The Hon. the Defence Minister to His Honor J. D. Ormond. Sir, — General Government Offices, Auckland, Ist April, IS7I. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of 15th March ultimo, covering an interesting report from Major Ropata, giving an account of his expedition in search of Te Kooti, together with copy of letter of instructions sent by you to that officer, and I beg to convey to you the approval of the Government of the steps which you have taken in the matter. I have, &c. His Honor J. D. Ormond, Esq., Donald McLean. General Government Agent, Napier.