OF REBEL NATIVES, ETC.

21

f.— m. 1.

Enclosure 2 in No. 33. Translation of Telegram from Paeeau and Te Whenuanui. Harema, 2nd April, 1871. To Mr. Peeece, at Whakatane. To Mr. Maie, Tauranga. To Mr. Claeke. — Friends, —Salutations to you all. Hearken. We have returned from Napier, through the kindness of the Government: we are now to be the Government men for Ruatahuna. Friends, let all the Urewera return. This was the word of the Government to us, —a decided word. If you approve, reply ; if you object, inform us. Te Whenuanui. Paeeau.

No. 34. His Honor J. D. Ormond to the Hon. the Defence Minister. Sir,— Napier, 10th April, 1871. I have tho honor to enclose the translation of a letter from Major Ropata, from which you will gather that the expedition under him has been unsuccessful in finding Te Kooti. Captain Porter arrived here on the Sth instant, and from him I learn there is every reason to suppose Te Kooti received warning from AVairoa and so escaped capture. Te Kooti's kainga, Te Haupapa, was first surrounded, and by night, but proved to be deserted, as were other small kaingas near it. The expedition was then guided to Anaru Matete's kaingas, and in all twenty-seven people were captured, including the chief Tamati Te Rangituawaru, a Poverty Bay Native. Anaru's places were seven hours' march from Te Kooti's, and they were not aware of Kooti's absence from Te Haupapa. Anaru Matete was seen and followed, but escaped. The expedition found at Te Haupapa several guns, watches, letters, and other things, and of course are taking care to destroy all the food, &c. On the day Captain Porter left, i.e., the Ist April (instant), it was arranged that the main body should remain at Mokonuiarangi, whilst three parties of thirty men each went out to search the country in different directions. One went to Haupapa to search for a trail leading from there, a second went towards Pa Puni with a similar object, and a third, under Ropata himself, went to a kainga not before visited, where it was considered possible Te Kooti might be. Each of these parties had instructions to follow the trail if they found it, and at once communicate with the others. Ropata expected to be engaged in this search for a few days, but will probably have arrived at Poverty Bay by the present time. Captain Porter reports the weather to have been very severe and trying, as it must have been, as even on tho coast it has been unusually so. It is of course much to be regretted that the expedition has not been successful, but Ropata appears to havo done all that was possible, and to have persevered and kept his men at their work under very great hardship and suffering. Although Te Kooti has not been captured, this expedition has again broken up his resting-place and destroyed his food, besides capturing a considerable body of his people ; and, moreover, it has prevented his contemplated raid upon Poverty Bay, which there is every reason to believe was intended. The position of his settlements is described as not more than two days' march from Poverty Bay, so that he has been the whole summer within easy reach of that place. Letters found at his kainga show that he has been in communication with Natives in our confidence, and that he has been supplied by them with things he wanted in exchange for money which he sent them. I will inquire into the circumstances I refer to, and report when I have done so. The steamer " Napier " leaves for Poverty Bay to-morrow, and by her Captain Porter will proceed with money to pay off the force, which, as the winter season is now set in, Ropata is anxious should return to their homes as early as possible. I shall arrange for the " Napier " to land them at their settlements at once. I have, &c, The Hon. the Defence Minister, Auckland. J. D. Ormond.

Enclosure 1 in No. 34. Major Ropata to His Honor J. D. Ormond. To Mr. Ormond, — Mokonuiarangi, Ist April, 1871. Friend, —Salutations to you. I have been to AA'aikare and caught a man there, from whom we heard of the place where Te Kooti is living, namely, Te Haupapa, and we lost no time in going there ; but when we got there he had been some time away from that kainga and nothing was known of his whereabouts. We have proceeded to Mokonuiarangi and caught the remnant of Te Kooti's people, twenty-five men and women; their chief is Tamati Te Rangituawaru. lam still hunting for them (Te Kooti, &c). Let me know what is to be done with these Hauhaus, whether they are to be left at Turanga or taken to Waiapu. Look up a steamer to take us home when we come out. If the steamer returns to Napier, Captain Porter and myself will come by her. I have sent Captain Porter to take this to Turanga, and also to let you know the news of this work. All the bushes, plains, gullies, and hills of this country have been searched, but I have not found him ; perhaps he has made a mysterious jump there is no knowing where, as it is not through idleness that he is not found. AVe have been constantly after him. However, Porter will tell you all the news. Let me have an answer quickly from you. From your friend, "Major Ropata. . 6