THE OPOTIKI DISTRICT.

A—No. Ba,

9

Eakuraku recommends that every precaution should be taken to guard against surprise, and that out-settlers should be warned. Major St. John, W. Gr. Mair, Major, Commanding Opotiki District. Eesident Magistrate.

Enclosure 3 in No. 13. Copy of a Letter from Major St. John to Major Mair. (No. 22a.) Sir,— Opotiki, 22nd January, 1868. I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your memorandum of this date. I would suggest, that with a view to protect the settlement, pickets should be at once established. The enemy can attack at either of the points marked X. on the accompanying plan, and destroy houses and murder settlers with impunity. The fords ought to be guarded or watched by a force sufficient to hold in check any attacking party, so as to give time to the inhabitants to retire to the protection of the church. A body of over 100 Uriweras would not come here to join the Whakatoheas from Maraetae (as doubtless they have done) only to lay an ambuscade or two. According to my instructions, I therefore now refer to you as to the necessity existing to put a sufficient number of men on pay to give the required pickets. I have, &c, J. H. St. John, Major, Major Mair, E.M. Commanding Opotiki District.

Enclosure 4 in No. 13. Memorandum by Major Mair. I fully concur with Major St. John that the points referred to should be guarded by strong pickets and that a sufficient number of men should be placed on pay for that purpose. 22nd January, 1868. W. Gr. Maie, Major, E.M.

Enclosure 5 in No. 13. C. —Memorandum of Information received from Wepiha Apantti and Hokata Matitahikia. 24th January, 1868. TnE war party known to have been for some time at the Waimana left that place on the 21st instant, and their fires were seen yesterday near Puhiraki, on the Waiotahi Biver. Reinforcements have arrived within the last few days, and the force is said to number upwards of 200 men, and that their intention is to waylay stragglers, but if not successful, to attack the settlement of Opotiki. They have stated that if repulsed they will only fall back on the ranges, but will not leave the district until they have obtained utu for their former losses. They are drawing supplies of provisions from the Waimana, where they planted largely last spring. Wepiha came up by canoe for the purpose of bringing this information. Major St. John, W. Gk Mate, Major, Commanding Opotiki District. Resident Magistrate.

No. 14. Copy of a Letter from Major St. John to Captain Holt. (No. 26.) Camp, Opotiki, Sm,— 27th January, 1888. I have the honor to report, that in consequence of information received, I apprehended an ambuscade to be laid at the Waiotahi on the 24th. I therefore sent Captain Skene with sixty men on that evening to that place. He camped on the sandhills, and next morning found that a large ambush had been laid, but that, as his march had been discovered, the rebels had bolted up the Waiotahi, having burnt Wi Popata's (the Arawa mailman) monument. I then, thinking they would most possibly be back on seeing his party return, started and reached the Waiotahi by a circuitous route, but found the whole had gone up the river. I tracked them, but finding they wore gone into the ranges, I returned home. The master of the " Whitby " saw a party of them on the beach between Waiotahi and Ohiwa on the 23rd instant, and this must be the party which Eakuraku to-day reports as having crossed somewhere above " Gentle Annie" into the Waimana. By these two reconnoitring parties I have ascertained that one body, by their fires, is about the snot where the road from Mangapaatu to the Waioeka strikes the Waiotahi, and that therefore the junction of the Uriweras with the Whakatohea may be completed in forty-eight hours. Major Mair informs me that Rakuraku's news to-day is, that the Buatahuna people are about to join the movement. Having by these reconnoitering parties ascertained the truth of the news given to Major Mair, I can do nothing but wait; so this date I reduce the force again to the state as enclosed, which gives me but little for outlying and inlying pickets and guards. The Hauhaus have burned the Arawa monument to Wi Popata (who was murdered on the beach), and disfigured the image which was put up, which I have no doubt will very much incense that tribe. If I could be allowed 100 of them, with the 120 men I have here (who can march and carry rations), I could go up to Mangapaatu and then back to Waioeka, taking in rear all their depots and their own parties. I have, &c, The Under Secretary, J. H. St. John-, Major, Colonial Defence, Wellington. Commanding Opotiki District. 3