FURTHER PAPERS RELATIVE TO MILITARY OPERATIONS AGAINST THE REBEL NATIVES.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1869 Session I, A-03e

A.—No. 3e.

FURTHER PAPERS RELATIVE TO MILITARY OPERATIONS AGAINST THE REBEL NATIVES.

REPORTS BY MR. ORMOND RELATIVE TO THE EXPEDITION TO WAIEA.RE-MOANA, AND THE STATE OE THE COLONIAL FORCES THERE.

PRESENTED TO BOTH HOUSES OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, BY COMMAND OP HIS EXCELLENCY.

WELLINGTON.

1869.

A.—No. 3e.

No. 1. Copy of a Letter from Mr. J. D. Ormond to the Hon. D. McLean. Sir,— Napier, Bth July, 1869. The steamer " Sturt " arrived here this morning from Matata. Captain Fairchild reports that he was informed by the officer in charge at that port that the men of the Armed Constabulary, who were in a state of mutiny on the last account from there, still refused to return to their duty; the bulk of the mutineers are stationed, I believe, at Fort Galatea. Captain Fairchild reports that intelligence had been received from Tauranga and Opotiki the day before he reached Matata, and that nothing fresh had occurred at those places, but that the same feeling existed there as was contained in reports lately received by the Government. Poverty Bay was visited by the " Sturt" on her return voyage to this rnacc, and there is nothing of importance to communicate from there. The proceedings of the Court investigating certain land questions at Poverty Bay is still going on, and I have some information to afford the Government in relation thereto on my return to Wellington. I have, &c, The Hon. the Defence Minister, Wellington. J. D. Ormond.

No. 2. Copy of a Letter from Mr. J. D. Ormond to the Hon. D. McLean. Sir,— Napier, Bth July, 1869. I have the honor to report the arrival last night of Lieut.-Colonel Herrick at this place. Colonel Herrick came here for the purpose of conferring with me as to the carrying on or otherwise of the operations taking place under his command at Waikare-Moana. After very careful consideration of the whole circumstances of the case, and after lengthened conferences with Lieut.-Colonel Herrick, I came to the conclusion that it was not in the interest of the public service that the expedition should be continued. My decision was based upon grounds which I will now state: —■ In the first place, Lieut.-Colonel Herrick could not satisfy me that any definite result was likely to be achieved by a continuance of the operations; what I mean is, that it appeared to me, from the information I obtained from him, that the enemy would have it at his own option to fight or get away with trifling loss. The position intended to be first attacked is called Whakaare, and was described to me by Colonel Herrick as a very strong post, and one that could scarcely be expected to be taken without severe fighting; and if taken, the enemy would still have been able to escape in canoes with only partial loss. The difficulties of getting supplies to the lake at all are very great at this season of the year, and subject to be interrupted at any time by floods. Following the enemy into the Urewcra country, in the event of his retreat, appeared to me not only a most difficult undertaking but one that the Government would not have sanctioned at the present season of the year, when such enormous risks would have to be run. These are the general reasons upon which I considered myself justified in directing the cessation of the operations at present going on at Waikare-Moana. I was of course assisted in coming to this determination by the intimations I have from time to time received of the wishes of the Government upon the subject, and I trust the course I have taken will meet with approval. Lieut.-Colonel Herrick naturally desired to be permitted to continue the operations, but ho could not assure me of any certain definite results. I regret that pressure of other business prevents my reporting on this subject at the length and with the care 1 should otherwise have desired. I have, &c, The Hon. the Defence Minister, Wellington. J. D. Oemond.

No. 3. Copy of a Letter from Mr. J. D. Ormond to the Hon. D. McLean. Sir,— Napier, 10th July, 1869. By the steamer " Storm Bird," I sent a very hastily written report, stating that I had directed Lieut.-Colonel Herrick to withdraw the force at present engaged at Waikare-Moana. As I then gave the principal reasons which actuated me in coming to that decision, I need not re-enter upon the question here, especially as I propose to return to Wellington by an early opportunity, and shall then be able to furnish you with detailed information upon the subject. I will only repeat that I am convinced that no object would have been gained by a prolongation of operations which were undertaken at a season of the year when successful results were almost impossible. It is no doubt matter for sincere regret, that operations which have been so costly should have to bo

FURTHER PAPERS RELATIVE TO MILITARY OPERATIONS AGAINST REBEL NATIVES.

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FURTHER PAPERS RELATIVE TO MILITARY

abandoned; but it appeared to mo better to stop at once an expenditure which was costing the Colony something like £400 a day, than continue the same with little chance of any satisfactory result and a contingency of very possible disaster. I am gratified to find, from telegrams received to-day, that Ministers approve the course I have taken in this matter. I will now state for your information the arrangements I have concluded with Lieut.-Colonel Herrick, for the withdrawal of the force from Waikare-Moana, and the reduction of the force at present on pay in the Wairoa District, as well as for the distribution of the Constabulary in positions calculated to secure the safety of the Wairoa and Hawke's Bay Districts, and for protecting the line of telegraph now in course of erection on the Taupo frontier. I should state that the force on pay at the present time, in the districts I am referring to, consists of about 860 men, and is made up of about 340 Armed Constabulary, and about 520 Natives and Europeans temporarily employed for the objects of the expedition, the greater portion being Natives belonging to the Ngatiporou Tribe, with some Wairoa and Mohaka and Ihaka Whanga's men. I find from Colonel Herrick, that about 170 of the Ngatiporou are now at Wairoa, and have directed that they at once be paid oft" and allowed to return to their homes ; the " St. Kilda " being available for that purpose, these men will, in all probability embark on Monday next. Lieut.-Colonel Herrick will then take the necessary stops to get the remainder of tho Native and temporarily employed European force to Wairoa, with the least practicable delay, and I hope that by Wednesday, the 14th July, the whole of that portion of the force will be paid off, and on their way to their own places. The " St. Kilda" will have returned to Wairoa in time to remove the remainder of the Native contingent. By the same day, Wednesday, Sub-Inspector Richardson's division (about 100 men) will be at Wairoa, and the steamer " Sturt" will bring them to Napier en route to the positions they are to occupy on the Taupo frontier. This will reduce the force at Wairoa and Waikare-Moana to 240 men, and they will continue to occupy the posts at the front, whilst the whole of the stores, ammunition, Ac, are removed to Wairoa. As soon as this is completed, Lieut.-Colonel Herrick will withdraw towards Wairoa, and on his way will place a detachment of 40 men at Putere. Colonel Herrick will accompany this force for the purpose of selecting the site of the post to be occupied ; two weeks' supplies will accompany the men, transport being available for that purpose. Putere is situate on the Mohaka River, and commands the road by which Te Kooti lately made his raid upon the Mohaka settlement. Putere also commands a road leading from Waikare-Moana to Wairoa, and also guards Petane and the Coast district to the north of Napier. Having completed the occupation of this post, Colonel Herrick will next place 50 men with three months' supplies at the block-house at Te Kapu, for the protection of the Wairoa settlement. The remainder of the force, consisting of about 150 men, will then proceed by the " Sturt" to Napier, and await instructions there; they should be there by about the 20th of this month. Major Withers goes to Wairoa to pay off the men, and Mr. Hamlin accompanies him to assist in settling with the Native Contingent. I have written letters to Ropata and the other chiefs who have been engaged in the expedition, thanking them for their services, and have suggested to Ropata that he should go to Wellington to confer with you as to the future, before he returns to the East Coast. I think I have now acquainted you with all the steps I have directed to be taken for the withdrawal from Waikare-Moana, and the occupation of those defensive positions which I have described. I have, &c, The Hon. Defence Minister, Wellington. J. D. Oemond.

No. 4. Copy of a Letter from Mr. J. D. Ormoxd to tho Hon. D. McLean. Sie,— Napier, 30th August, 18G9. I have already reported, through the telegraph, as to the disposition of the forces in this district, and other matters relating thereto; there are however some points in connection with these subjects which have still to be brought under your notice. I have nothing of importance to report in reference to the Wairoa and Mohaka Districts. From letters from Maori chiefs I gather that the Urewera have returned to the east side of Waikare-Moana Lake, but nothing more is known of their movements. The Wairoa itself is protected so far as it can be with the force available for the purpose; and the posts at Te Haroto and Titiokura secure tho communication to Taupo, and guard the approaches to this district from any movement of the Urewera upon that side. In the Taupo District, Te Kooti, by accounts received to-day, was still at Eotoaira, and is said to be building a pa there ; his force is computed at from 150 to 200 men, and lie has a great number of women with him also. Te Heuheu and Eewi of Ngatimaniapoto are said to be still with him. The force which, under Lieut.-Colonel Herrick, was directed with your approval to move to Eununga, reached there last Saturday, and are now engaged in forming a defensible position there, commanding the road from Taupo to the Urewera District. Lieut.-Colonel Herrick has 130 Constabulary with him, including 40 mounted men, and also some 40 or 50 Natives of Paora Uapi's. My instructions to him have been to avoid any collision with Te Kooti, unless he attempts to get by the Urewera country, which he was to check by any means in his power. Hore Touteka, with about 100 Natives, are located in a pa about ten miles south of Eotoaira. I am in regular communication with them, and have desired them to avoid any engagement with Te Kooti until we have sufficient force to do so with effect. They are watching Te Kooti's movements, and will join the force under Lieut.-Colonel Herrick if he should attempt to force a passage to the Urowera country. Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell will probably have arrived at Hore Tauteka's camp, from Wnnganui by this time. I enclose copy of a letter I addressed this morning to that officer. Unless otherwise directed, I shall avail myself of Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell's services in any movement that may be'

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directed against Te Kooti, as that officer is specially suited to act with the kind of force now being collected at Taupo. Fifty of the Ahuriri Natives, under the chiefs Renata and Pene, left this morning for Patea by way of the Ngaruroro Gorge, to support Hore Tauteka; fifty more leave to-morrow morning under Henarc Tomoana and Poara Kaiuhatu for Taupo ; they will go by way of Bununga, and increase the force now there. These 100 men are all mounted, aud will make up altogether, with Hore Tauteka's mounted men and the mounted Constabulary, a force of near 200 mounted men, able to move quickly in a country like Taupo. Captain St. George has been directed to hold the force at Tapuaharuru in readiness to assist in any general movement, and as he will be supported, by this time, by the 50 Constabulary ordered from Taurauga, a contingent of 100 men should be available from Taupaharuru if required. All the canoes on the Taupo Lake are in the hands of Poihipi's people, and may prove of considerable service if operations prove feasible and are undertaken. The supplying the force is the greatest difficulty in connection with these movements, but I think satisfactory provision has been and is being made to ensure this. Supplies for the whole force, sufficient]to last about three weeks, are now at Te Haroto; and with other arrangements which I will report upon in a separate letter, I trust to be able to keep the force fully supplied. I think I have now acquainted you with all that has been done in connection with these services. I have, &c. The Hon. the Defence Minister, Wellington. J. D. Ormond.

No. 5. Copy of a Letter from Mr. J. D. Ormond to Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell. Sir,— Napier, 30th August, 1869. I write in anticipation of your having reached the Patea District by the time the bearer of this despatch gets to Hore Tautika's camp. I am authorized by the Hon. the Defence Minister to avail myself of your services, and accordingly I shall be obliged by your attention to the following instructions. As soon as possible after the receipt of this despatch you will please proceed to Te Haroto, and there place yourself in communication with me through the telegraph. Before leaving Patea ascertain from the friendly Natives all you can as to the position Te Kooti occupies, numbers of his force, and generally any information you may be able to gather as to his probable movements. You will direct the friendly Natives at Patea to continue to act as I have already advised them, viz., to avoid so far as possible any collision with Te Kooti's force until we are strong enough to attack with advantage; at the same time they should keep a strict watch upon his movements, and be ready to act in concert with the force now occupying Bununga under Lieut.-Colonel Herrick, in the event of Te Kooti making for the Uriwera country. It will be desirable that some of the Patea Natives should accompany you to Te Haroto, in order that they may convey back directions to the friendly Natives at Patea in reference to any movement in which their co-operation may be required. As I expect to be in communication with you so shortly that I need not add more, I have, &c, Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell, Patea. J. D. Ormond.

No. 6. Copy of a Letter from Mr. J. D. Ormond to the Hon. Mr. McLean. Sir,— Napier, 30th August, 1869. I have the honor to report that I have made arrangements through Captain Bower, the Quarter-master, which will ensure, I believe, the regular supply of provisions for the Colonial Force and Native Contingent, now on service at Taupo. The transport service recently organized here is working fairly well, and has already proved more economical than the contract system, besides having the advantage of being more under control. The large additional force which it has been necessary to concentrate at Taupo, in consequence of Te Kooti's movements, has necessitated increased means of transport, beyond what was anticipated when the supply of the forces occupying posts was all that it was expected we should require to provide for; as this additional service is not likely to continue for any great length of time, I have thought it better to provide, in part, for the emergency by getting a portion of the service done by contract. Accordingly, to-day I have authorized Captain Bower to close with Mr. Tuxford for the carriage of ten tons of goods to Te Haroto at a rate not to exceed £15 a ton. This amount is large, but appeared to me preferable to increasing the regular transport service, which indeed could not easily be done at short notice. In addition to this I have authorized the purchase of ten more pack-horses. With this addition I trust to be able to keep the whole force supplied; and when the present emergency is over, the regular transport service will amply provide all necessary carriage for the support of the posts. I have, <fee, The Hon. the Defence Minister, Wellington. J. D. Ormond.