A.—No. 3b

OPERATIONS AGAINST REBEL NATIVES.

7

the Waitara and leave these Hauhaus in my rear; it would be tempting them to attack Patea, especially as there are 230 prisoners there at this present time; so I intend putting off my march, or rather attempting it again, till I hear from the Government. That place, Pariahaka, should be looked at. Excuse this hurried note, but the mailman is waiting, having just met him on his way back. True copy — Believe mo, &c, C. Stapp, Major, Adjutant M. and V. William C. Lyon.

Enclosure 2 in No. 14. Copy of a Letter from Major Brown to Lieut.-Colonel Lton. (No. 297.) Mi dear Colonel Lton, — Militia and Volunteer Office. 7th July, 1569. I am in receipt of your favour of the 4th instant, sent on to me at Wai Iti a few hours before I was to proceed to Ngatimaru. There was nothing in the rivers or the rugged country we had to pass through but cold or damp to be met with in this fine weather. I have travelled the track your force was to reach Mataitawa by, at all times and seasons, before General Chute improved it, and I never found it as you describe in the same weather; you will feel how deeply I sympathize with you on the exceptional state you found the country in. I have no instructions to co-operate with you in any movement on Pariahaka; moreover you would bo more liable to floods between you and Pariahaka than between you and Mataitawa, and there would still be some bush to go into. True copy —■ I have, &c, C. Stapp, Major, Adjutant M. and V. Chas. Brown, Major.

No. 15. Copy of a Letter from G. S. Cooper to Major C. Brown. (No. 405-Id.) Sir,— Defence Office, Wellington, 15th July, 1869. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter, No. 298, of the 7th instant, enclosing copies of a correspondence with Lieut.-Colonel Lyon, relative to the abandonment of the Ngatimaru expedition. I have, &c, Major C. Brown, Commanding Taranaki G. S. Cooper, Militia and Volunteers. Acting Under Secretary.