THE OPOTIKI DISTRICT.

23

A—No. Ba.

Hauhaus who fought against us, that the orders emanated from Matutaera and his councillors, but tltat the people intrusted with taking the initiative began two months too soon. I have, &c, The Under Secretary, H. T. Clarke, Native Department. Civil Commissioner,

Enclosure in No. 45. Copy of a Letter from Major Maik to Mr. 11. T. Clabke. Sic,— Opotiki, 24th January, 1868. I have the honor, in continuation of my last report, to inform you that I have received intelligence from Rakuraku, Hohaia, Paora Kingi, and Wepiha, to the effect that the Hauhau warparty, after being reinforced, left the Waimana about the 21st instant, by the track ..over Pukenuiorako to Waioeka; it was at first doubtful whether they were going to that place or to Waiotahi, but yesterday Wepiha came by canoe to inform me that their cooking fires were seen in the early morning from the pa at Ohopi; the smoke appeared to rise from near Kuhirake on the Waiotahi, about four miles from the mouth of that river. About 4 o'clock p.m. this day, fires were visible on the beach between Waiotahi and Onokawa ; and Captain Doughty, of the " Whitby," informs me that at about 230 p.m., while at anchor off the bar, he observed a body of from twenty-five to fifty Natives on the shore near the fire. Major St. John has sent a party of sixty men along the beach, to ascertain, if possible, the whereabouts of the rebels. From the various sources already alluded to, I have learned that the Hauhaus number upwards of two hundred men, consisting of all the Tawhana, Tauwhaiemanuka, and Maungapowhatu people, with small parties from other places. Reinforcements were expected from Euatahuna and the Whakatohea. They have stated that they will not leave the district without obtaining utu for their losses ; and that if they cannot fall in with stragglers, they will attack the settlement. The only men of rank among them, whose names I have heard, are Te Puehu and Erueti Te Maikowha, of the Uriwera, and Mokena Taotao and Manihera Te Waiatua, of the Whakatohea. The last messenger from Waikato was Hori Nokotu. By referring to a report written upon my return from Taupo in November, you will see that I fell in with this man at Orakeikoiako, while on his way to Matutaera, from whom it is reported that he brought letters urging the Uriwera to take up arms. The Waiocka Blockhouse has been reinforced, and a sufficient number of men taken on pay to defend the settlement in case of attack. I have, &c, 11. T. Clarke, Esq., Civil Commissioner, W. Gr. Maie, Tauranga. Besident Magistrate.

No. 46. Copy of a Letter from Mr. IT. T. Clabke to the Undee Seceetaby, Native Department. (D. 35.) Civil Commissioner's Office, Sic,— Tauranga, 11th February, 1868. I have the honor to report, for the information of the Q-overnment, that the " iSturt " arrived this evening from Opotiki; Majors St. John and Mair are passengers by her. They bring important intelligence from 'Opotiki, the substance of which may be obtained from Major Mair's report, which I herewith enclose. It will be impossible to say what may bo the result of the losses sustained by the rebels in the late conflict with our Military Settlers. If it is correct that Te Tua, a Buatahuna chief has fallen, we may confidently expect a general rising throughout the Uriwera District. I have received a letter of instructions from the Hon. the Defence Minister with regard toraising a body of the Arawa. Colonel Harington, Majors St. John and Mair, and myself have consulted together as to the best course to be adopted, and have decided to take steps to raise a force of 150 Arawa, to be had in readiness. It is expected that the enemy will not bo able to collect all their forces under two or three weeks, when it is most probable they will make a combined attack on Opotiki. In the mean time it is hoped that the Government will decide as to the best course to adopt under the circumstances, and that definite instructions will be received. I would respectfully suggest that the " Sturt " may ba sent back with as little delay as possible, so that we have means at our disposal of quick transport in case of need. I must confess that, taking all the circumstances into consideration, I have grave fears for the Opotiki settlers. I beg to enclose translation of letters obtained by the expedition under Major St. John, from which it is manifest that the plan of the rebels was to waylay and murder the Military Settlers, and they only delayed their operation until some of their relations, supposed by us to be friendly, had taken in their crops, when a general rising was to take place. As soon as lam able it is my intention to proceed to Whakatane, for the purpose of procuring reliable information as to the movements of the Uriwera. Very great inconvenience is felt On account of the communication between this place and Opotiki feeing entirely cut off. I would therefore suggest, for the approval of the Defence Minister, that a good whale boat be procured and placed under the undivided care of Major Mair, for the purpose of conveying intelligence to Whakatane, from whence speedy communication could be had with Tauranga. 1 have, &c, The Under Secretary, H. T. Clamce, Native Department. Civil Commissioner.