P.—No. 1

18

PAPERS RELATIVE TO SURRENDER

I quite concur in the instructions which you have issued to Major Ropata with reference to that tribe. Whatever may be the result of the present expedition connected with Te Kooti's capture, there is no doubt that it will have a wholesome effect in preventing any coalition of disaffected sections of various tribes from undertaking offensive movements of any description. I have, &c, His Honor J. D. Ormond, Hawke's Bay. Donald McLean.

No. 30. His Honor J. D. Oemond to the Hon. the Defence Ministee. Sib,— Napier, 27th March, 1871. I have the honor to enclose copy of a letter from Captain Porter, written by the direction of Major Ropata, at Orewha, on the 22nd instant. The letter explains the capture of one Te Kooti's men, and the grounds on which the expedition hopes to find Te Kooti at Te Haupapa. I cannot help thinking there is every chance of that miscreant being dealt with on this occasion ; but disappoinments have been so numerous, I scarcely like to encourage hopes which may not be realized. I forward a list of the names of the men now with Te Kooti, as obtained from the prisoner Tautata. The accompanying sketch shows somewhat of the position of the kaingas and cultivations, and it appears Anaru Matete and people are living in a separate village to Te Kooti.) You are so well aware of the difficulties and hardships the expedition has undergone that it is unnecessary for me to dwell upon them. I hope to receive definite information as to results of the expedition in about seven days from now, via Poverty Bay, and will at once report to you. I have &c, The Hon. the Defence Minister, Auckland. J. 1). Oemond.

Enclosure 1 in No. 30. Captain Porter to His Honor J. D. Ormoud. Sie,— Orewha, 23rd March, 1871. In my letter sent out yesterday I reported some of our men being out on the trail of Hauhaus. They have now returned from the chase, bringing a prisoner, from whom we got the most valuable information, beyond even our most sanguine expectations. They followed on the trail, and at noon yesterday succeeded in capturing a man of Te Kooti's, named Tautata : he got separated from his companions some days previously, and had come to get food when followed by our men. He states that ho left Te Haupapa a fortnight ago, with a party of men sent to Lake Waikare to search for ammunition said to have been left by the Government people. Descending the Ngatuere, they came upon our camp, the fires still alight, and finding the letter left thereby Ropata and myself, he (Tautata) returned with it to Te Kooti, it therefore falling into his hands two days after written by us, our ruse thus acting admirably. Tautata states that Te Kooti was at Maungapowhatu, as supposed by us, but had returned to his kainga, telling Ngatihuri not to disclose his hiding place. Te Kooti has not been away from his kainga since return from Maungapowhatu, further than retiring to the bush out of our way. The party sent to AVaikare will account for the information of his having gone there. I enclose the names of all the men with Te Kooti, twenty-five only of whom, you will perceive, have arms. He also states that when Te Kooti ascertained that we had (as he supposed) gone out and given up the chase, he sent the greater part of his men out beyond Matakuhia, to kill pigs and search for honey. They will not return for a fortnight. The few men remaining with him are engaged in tattooing. Tautata describes the situation of the pa, and will show us the best method to surround it, which will be done at night. AVithout being too sanguine, yet our hopes are high of a successful issue to our arduous exertions. We have persevered to the utmost, and I sincerely hope we are about to reap the reward of our trouble. It is quite impossible for any one to conceive the number of difficulties we have had to surmount, and the hardships endured by us in this long chase. AVe feel much gratified, also, at the confirmation of all our conjectures as to Te Kooti's kainga. It is consoling to think we have not once erred in our suppositions, although often guided only by signs. I enclose plan of Te Haupapa, showing the situation of kaingas and our proposed track. Although this is not written on official paper, it is meant as such. I forward this by one of the Natives who accompanied us from Te Wairoa. I have, &c, His Honor J. D. Ormond, T. W. Poetee, General Government Agent, Napier. Captain and Adjutant.

Enclosure 2 in No. 30. Names of Men with Te Kooti, as stated by Tautata, including old men and young. Those marked with x denote the Number of Guns. Urewera. —Te Whiu x, Orupe, Whakaipiro, Raotao, Tawhiao, Tauki x, Te Ihi x, Kumikumi x, Takaka, Tepuriti, Matenga x, Hiakita x, Heporita x. Turanga. —Anaru Matete, Tamati Rangitaumau, Pera, Hirini x, Te Hira, Horomona, Wiremu, Karamana x, Te Kepa, Korou x, Whakarau, Rutene, Tamihana Kapekanga x, Te Pirihi x, Rutene x,