E.—No. 1

16

PAPERS RELATIVE TO SURRENDER

No. 26. His Honor J. D. Oemond to the Hon. the Defence Ministee, Auckland. Sir,— Napier, 18th March, 1871. I have the honor to enclose the copy of an extract from Captain Porter's diary. He has not had time to prepare a detailed report of the proceedings of the expedition, but, learning from him the tone of Ngatihuri, I deemed it desirable to obtain, for your information, an account of the meeting with that hapu. I gathered from Captain Porter that the hostile feeling exhibited by them was exceptional, and that among the other sections of the Urewera, although there was great distrust, there was not the same inimical feeling. In the late meeting I had with the Urewera at Tareha's pa, and which I have reported to you by telegraph, I spoke of this hostile expression of feeling on the part of Ngatihuri. and of my belief that they were shielding Te Kooti, and I distinctly told Whenuanui, Paerau, and their people, that tribes so acting could not be regarded by the Government as friends, and that they must not complain of want of good faith on the part of the Government if such conduct were punished. The reply of these chiefs was, that immediately on their return they would call a meeting of the whole tribe, including Ngatihuri, and would state that one of the conditions of the peace they had made was not only that Te Kooti should not be shielded, but that he should be regarded as their own enemy. They urged that this meeting should be attended by the Government, and I promised that, if possible, their desire should be complied with. lam of opinion that much good might be effected by meeting the Urewera in their own country, and coming to a distinct understanding with the whole tribe. I have, &c, The Hon. the Defence Minister, Auckland. J. D. Ormond.

Enclosure in No. 26. Exteact from Diary. Friday, 19th February, Maungapohatu. —AVe were then met in welcome by the men of Ngatihuri— Haere-mai-ia, haere-mai-ia, hairi-mai-ia, Te Munuhiri o te AVhenuanui haere mai. The several chiefs then arose, and among them were Renata Poho Korua, Kawhana, Ihaka Te Ahiriaiti, Wiremu Te Mako, Ngaraki (brother of Kereru), Paiaka Tipihau, and Hataraka. Every one who spoke expressed perpetual hatred to the Pakeha, and said, Welcome, Ropata; for your own sake we welcome you, although you serve the Kawana, from whom we have suffered many wrongs. You may be acting right, but also may be deceived. You cannot tell what is hidden in the heart. We are willing to accept the ronyo pai, but we will remain at our own kaingas, lest, when all tho wild cows are collected bv the tame ones, you the Kawana should turn and destroy all, tame and wild. Te Kooti is not here. Seek him, and, if you find him, spare as you spare us. AVe are cautious of' the action of the Government. AVe rely upon you. We have heard of your good deeds. If you can bring peace among us, do so. Ropata, in replying to the speeches said, —" Ngatihuri, you say I serve the Government, and that I may also be deceived. It is not so; the Government would not tell me to do one thing and mean another. I should not serve the Government as Idoif I thought there was an after intention." True extract. T. W. Poeteb, Captain and Adjutant.

No. 27. The Hon. the Defence Minister to His Honor J. D. Oemond. Sie, — General Government Offices, Auckland, Ist April, 1871. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the ISth ultimo, enclosing an extract from Captain Porter's diary, which fully confirms the belief so long entertained, that tho Ngatihuri and other inhabitants of the AVaikare-Moana District have always been suspicious of and inimical to the Europeans. The fact of their seclusion in the wildest and most inaccessible part of the Island, many of them never having even seen a European, accounts in a great measure for this feeling of hostility. I have, &c, His Honor J. D. Ormond, Donald McLean. General Government Agent, Napier.

No. 28. His Honor J. D. Ormond to the Hon. the Defence Minister. Sir,— Napier, 23rd March, 1871. I have the honor to report that Major Ropata and force were detained at Wairoa, by continual and heavy rain, until the 19th instant, and that the force finally left Marumaru on the morning of the 20th instant for AVaikarc-Moana. Captain Porter writes that Ropata desired him to say he expected to get information at the Lake respecting Te Kooti's whereabouts, but that, should he not do so, he will make at once for Te Haupapa, Te Kooti's reputed kainga. I think this is the best course he could have taken, and I trust may lead to a successful issue. His men are well supplied with food, and are well acquainted with the ground they have to travel over. To give some idea of the difficulties of the country, 1 enclose translation, of letter from Hotene, who is with the expedition.