A.—No. Ba,

PAPERS RELATIVE TO

10

Enclosure in No. 14. MILITIA AND VOLUNTEERS STATEMENT. Opotiki, 28th January, 1868.

No. 15. Copy of a Letter from Major St. Joiin to Captain Holt. (No. 32.) Sic, — Camp, Opotiki, 29th January, 1868. 1 have the honor to report that Major Mair having started yesterday for Whakatane to obtain information, I deemed it necessary to detain the " Whitby " twenty-four hours, in order to let you hear the latest news. I enclose his memorandum, which corroborates all that we have heard. He informs me that the Arawas are eager to join us against the Uriweras, and that he does not consider I should be justified in any reduction of the force I have now on pay. I forward the vouchers for Captain Doughty's demurrage, and trust the same may be approved of. I have, &c, The Under Secretary J. 11. St. John, Major, Colonial Defence, Wellington. Commanding Opotiki District.

Enclosure In No. 15. Copy of a Letter from Major Maib to Major St. John". Sic,— Opotiki, 29th January, 1868. I have the honor to inform you that I proceeded yesterday to Whakatane, for the purpose of testing the truth of the report that the Nuatahuna people were about to take up arms. From what I learned, I have every reason to believe that the report is correct. I was also informed that the Hauhaus, of whose presence we had ample evidence last week, laid in ambush at Waiotahi for about forty-eight hours, and then returned to the Waimana, where they are awaiting reinforcements. The Whakatohea did not join them, it having been arranged that a portion of that tribe should make a descent by the Waioeka Biver, and that another party under Te Iki should proceed by the Waiaua for the double purpose of enticing the Opape people to join them and of laying ambuscades for William King's people Awawakino (a small bay to the eastward of Opapc). I met a number of the Arawa at Whakatane, who arc very anxious to be employed against the common enemy. I have, &c, Major St. John, W. G. Mate, Major, Commanding Opotiki District. Resident Magistrate. I have also ascertained that the Tauawa people, who have been talking peace for a year, have just established an " Aukati " between them and the Queenites and Pakeha. W. G. M.

No. 16. Copy of a Letter from the Hon. Colonel Haultain to Major St. John. (No. 79-3.) Colonial Defence Office, Sic, — Wellington, 7th February, 1868. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letters Nos. 26 and 32, of the 27th and 29th January last, reporting that parties of hostile Natives had reappeared in your vicinity, had laid ambushes, had burned the Arawa Monument that had been erected at Waiotahi to Wi Papata, and were threatening to attack Opotiki, and also informing me of the steps you had taken for the defence of the settlement. The Government approves of your having called out the Militia under these circumstances, and lose no time in despatching the steamer " Start" to bring farther information, or to assist in reinforcing you if necessary. I have already impressed upon you that the Government are most anxious to avoid, if possible, taking any action that may have the effect of renewing general hostilities with the Natives, and hope that even the present threatened disturbances may be averted. Unless, therefore, you are attacked, you are to remain on the defensive, sending back the " Sturt " without delay for further instructions, and with full information of what has been going on since your last reports. Should the rebels, however,

Distribution. S O *e8 d | 02 c6 fcd) 3 CQ o o O a g R CD Eemarks. ■+3 'resent fit for duty Say of Plenty Volunteer Cavalry Corps ... )n detachment at Waioeka 1 3 5 1 8 8 3 125 1 1 1 12 1 1 2 25 Total 11 3 4 10 162 J. H. St. John, Commandi: Vlajor, ig bpoiki District.