OF REBEL NATIVES, ETC.

23

P.—No. V.

following day, and found that Paerau and party had left for Euatahuna. The few Natives residing at Ahikeruru received us well. We stayed there two days and sent Hapurona, Hamiora, Wi Patene, &c, ordering Kepa to Euatahuna with letter to Paerau, as directed in your telegram of the 6th. There is no news of Eopata. Two old men from Euatahuna report that two of Te Kooti's men have lately been at Maungapowhatu, but with what object they do not know. I would beg respectfully to request that in case of any people being sent from Napier to Euatahuna via Heruiwi, I may be acquainted with the fact, as my scouts saw the fires and trail of Paerau's men, and reported to me that a party had gone in, and had I not received a private letter from Mr. Clarke the previous day, telling me that Paerau was going to Euatahuna, I should have gone to Ahikeruru to intercept them, which might have led to serious results. I will report further on return of Hapurona and party. I beg further to state for your information that the men at this post have been, for the last three months, employed by fatigue parties daily at road-making. They have completed 500 yards of substantial road, 14 feet wide, across a swamp between here and Parawai, and have partly formed 800 yards more of the same road, but are unable to complete it owing to the quantity of water in the swamp. I purpose, however, doing as much as possible to it, and then set them to work forming the road when there is less water. The line I am making will save quite five miles, besides being more level. The men have been for some time working up to their waists in water, and I would beg strongly to urge that they be allowed a ration of rum* daily while engaged in this work. I beg to bring under your notice Sergeant Bluett, A.C., for the energy he has shown in pushing on this work. I have, &c, Lieut.-Colonel Moule, Geobge Pekece, Captain, Commanding District, Tauranga. Commanding Te Teko.

Enclosure 2 in No. 37. Captain Preece to Lieut.-Colonel Moule. Sir,— Te Teko, 14th April, 1871. I have the honor to report for your information that Hapurona and party arrived this day from Ruatahuna. They report that the Urewera have had a large meeting at Tatahoata, and have all made up their minds to give their allegiance to Government as a tribe, Kereru, who has hitherto been the most hostile chief in the Urewera, has expressed his intention of inviting me to Ruatahuna with my force, and also that he will have nothing further to do with Te Kooti. Te Kooti is at Waikare-Moana, at a place called Mautaketake. He has about forty followers. I enclose letters from Urewera chiefs. I have, &c, Lieut.-Colonel Moule, George Preece, Captain, Commanding District, Tauranga. Commanding, Te Teko.

Sub-Enclosure 1 to Enclosure 2 in No. 37. Pukenui Keheru to Mr. Clarke. To Mr. Clarke, at Tauranga, — Ruatahuna, 10th April, 1871. Friend, —Salutations to you. This is my word to you. In the day of Ropata Te Kooti will have no men: they all will come over to the Government, the Ngatihuri and Ngatirongo. Te Kooti is now by himself (or at a distant place). lam now r living in quietness and in the peace which you have put before us, and (I am also) living on my land. This is another word to you. Some of my people are with Te Kooti. I did not tell them to go, but he caught them. Now do you hearken. I will go to fetch them, —I shall be strong to send them back. From Te Pukenui Kereeu.

Sub-Enclosure 2 to Enclosure 2 in No. 37. Paerau and Whenuanui to Mr. Clarke. To Mr. Clarke, at Tauranga, — Ruatahuna, 11th April, 1871. Friend, —Salutations to you. Do you hearken. We two have come to Ruatahuna. We have spoken to the Urewera, and the thoughts of all that people have become good. But do you send to Napier and inform Mr. Ormond and Mr. Locke and Te Moana. So ends this. This is another word. It is true that Te Kooti has been at Maungapohatu, but Te Urewera sent him away that trouble might not come on them ; and second, he went to Waikare, and Te Urewera sent him away. So ends. From Paerau and Whenuanui.

Sub-Enclosure 3 to Enclosure 2 in No. 37. Keeeeu to Captain Peeece and Captain Maie. To Captain Preece and to Captain Mair, — Ruatahuna, 11th April, 1871. Friends, —Salutations to you. Friends, this is a word of mine to you. There are no men with Te Kooti in these days. In the days of Ropata, i.e., when Ropata was in pursuit of Te Kooti, the * A letter on this subject was forwarded to Wellington on 24th March, 1871.—W. Moule, Lieut.-Colonel, 17th April, 1871.