OE REBEL NATIVES, ETC.

19

P.—No. 1.

Hohepa, Pera Puna, Patara x, Te Kooro x, Apiata, Hotoma x, Epiha, Paora Tu x, Patoromu, Hemi Whaipu, Maika x, Maka, Rupene, Himiona x, Tamati x, Henare Huaki x, Mehaka x, Kaikapo x, Te Kooti. Other Tribes {Wairoa). —Pera Tipoki, Paramena x, Nikora, Hone Pereha, Kuruwhewhe x, Eru Kiko x, Hemi, Te Hata. Total, fifty-five men ; twenty-five guns.

No. 31. The Hon. the Defence Minister to His Honor J. D. Oemond. Sie, — General Government Buildings, Auckland, Bth April, 1871. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 27th ultimo, enclosing Captain Porter's report of the capture of Tautata, one of Te Kooti's followers, together with a list of his adherents, who, I am glad to see, have very much diminished in number. From the report, the complicity of the Ngatihuri is beyond a doubt. The zeal displayed by Major Ropata and his force, notwithstanding the privations which they endure, is deserving of the highest commendation. A remarkable feature in Captain Porter's report is the fact that Major Ropata's conjecture has been so well founded. On previous expeditions information was frequently received of such a fabulous character as to render it altogether useless ; but in the present instance the evidence given by Tautata, of Te Kooti's movements, leads to the hope that the prospects of his capture are better than formerly. In any case the instructions you have issued, and the exertions you havo gone through to carry out this expedition, merit the full approbation of the Government. I have, &e, His Honor J. D. Ormond, Hawke's Bay. Donald McLean.

No. 32. His Honor J. D. Ormond to the Hon. the Defence Minister. Sir,— Napier, 12th April, 1871. I have the honor to enclose copy of a letter addressed by me to AVhenuanui, Paerau, and the Urewera ; also, of a telegram sent by me to Porenera, a young chief connected with Ngatiraukawa, who wrote offering to carry a mail to Cambridge from Taupo. As the subjects treated on in these letters are important, I think it right to inform you of my action in regard to them, which will, I trust, meet your approval. I have, &c, The Hon. the Defence Minister, Auckland. J. D. Ormond.

Enclosure 1 in No. 32. [translation.] His Honor J. D. Ormond to Whenuanui, Paerau, and the Urewera.. Napier, 11th April, 1871. To Te Whenuanui, to Paerau, and to me Urewera, — - Friends, I have heard that you have been to Ruatahuna, and also of what you have arranged with reference to what we settled here, that is to say, the assembling of the Urewera at that place. That is right. AVhen you have thoroughly discussed the matter write to me, and I will send an officer of the Government to see you and the Urewera at Ruatahuna, as we agreed here. You have probably seen Hapurona and others of your people, because I have requested Mr. Clarke to send them to Ruatahuna. I write this to you in order that you may bo able clearly to express to the tribe what you have decided to do. Now, with reference to the return of the Urewera who are living at Whakatane, and on that coast to Ruatahuna, that cannot be done. AVhen we consult our friend Mr. McLean, then that may be done. I think that that question should bo left for the meeting to be held between the Government and the tribe at Ruatahuna, where it can be properly discussed. However, if you act properly towards the Government, you will be dealt leniently with in that respect. That is all about that. This is another word. Ropata and Ngatiporou have returned to Turanga, but they saw Te Kooti's place at Te Haupapa. Twenty-seven of his men were taken prisoners, and they brought in some guns and other things. All his places and all his food have been burnt with fire: his companions who were captured have been conducted to Turanga. Ropata thinks that some person must have given information of his expedition to Te Kooti, and consequently he escaped into the bush, and there concealed himself. My friends, I think it will not be long before you hear news of Te Kooti. He is only a remnant and a wanderer. He has no place and no food. You should urge on your tribe to capture him, and surrender him to the Government.