A.—No, 4a

30

TELEGRAMS RELATIVE TO THE AGENCY

ammunition, &c, within. In case of being beleaguered, cook several days' food at once, so as to economise fuel. C. E. Haughton, Acting Under Secretary. Mr. D. McLean to Colonel Haultain. Napier, 27th November, 1808, 8.35 a.m. Eight kegs of ammunition captured by mounted party of the enemy from Escort, eight miles from Poverty Bay. Communication with main body Native Contingent cut off. Not a man to spare from Turanganui for Escort. European force required as quickly as possible. Constabulary detachment of twenty-tffo arrived without revolvers or side arms ; half of them never fired a shot. Massacre at Poverty Bay on 10th and no European force except this twenty-two yet sent. Two hundred men could readily have been got after massacre to take the field if enrolled at diggings. Fifty pack saddles wanted. Surgical instruments urgently required. Is Blanche coming ? If this East Coast campaign is followed up vigorously it will save AVaikato and other places. Has Lady Bird sailed with volunteers and gun? I trust speed will be used to afford succour to the Native Contingent cut off for want of force to open communication and supply ammunition. Donald AlcLean.

Colonel Haultain to Mr. D. McLean. Wellington, 28th November, 1868. Colonel Whitmore, with 350 of bis most efficient men, has been ordered round to Poverty Bay, to take command of both Districts. Steamer sailed last night for Wanganui to bring them. Forty men enrolled at Christchurch, and expected to-morrow by Rob Roy, will be sent on by that vessel. You must have 1200 men on pay already. lam astonished at your complaining that the Government are not using every effort to assist you. Other parts of the Colony are neglected to secure Hawke's Bay and the Eastern settlements. T. M. Haultain.

Air. D. McLean to Colonel Haultain. , Napier, 28th November, 1808. If Colonl Whitmore is sent you will lose the valuable aid and co-operation of all the Native allies, a matter of no trifling importance in the present state of the Colony. I would prefer having half the number of men you propose under Alajors Fraser and Westrup. You may rest assured that the interests of the Colony would be better served by such a course as this, and this is my firm conviction on nothing but public grounds. I am not complaining of the want of assistance generally, but of the necessity for a European force that will not only assist but inspire the natives to carry the fighting to other parts of the island if necessary. This they will not do under Whitmore, and the Colony will lose the services of upwards of 1500 Natives. Donald McLean.

Colonel Haultain to Air. D. McLean. Wellington, 28th November, 1808. Instructions have already gone to Colonel AVhitmore, and he will go direct from Wanganui. The Government have no doubt of his working well with the Natives if you will co-operate energetically with him. T. M, Haultain.

Mr. D. .McLean to Colonel Haultain. Napier, 28th November, 1808. I consider it my duty to stale that the public service will in my opinion be more benefitted by leaving Colonel Whitmore and bis 350 men at AVanganui than by sending them to Poverty Bay, at the risk of upsetting operations now in progress. AVith the men in Rob Roy I trust that 100 additional good men will be sufficient to meet present emergencies. Donald McLean.

Mr. McLean to Colonel llaulta in. Napier, 28th November, 5.55 p.m. The prejudice of tbe whole of the Natives from East Cape to Napier is so strong against Colonel Wbitmore that the most energetic co-operation on my part will not remove it. A deep-rooted prejudice of this nature amounting to superstitious belief cannot be overcome in a day. His coining to Poverty Bay would, I much fear, bo the prelude to a long and disastrous war, which can soon be ended if present arrangements already so far successful are not obstructed. Donald McLean.

Mr. D. McLean to Colonel Haultain. Napier, 28tb November, 1868, 9.9 a m. Communication being cut off with front at Poverty Bay, I propose despatching St. Kilda to Wairoa with orders to Lambert to forward supplies to Native Contingent from his side, which must yet be open ; otherwise our men will be without supplies. Shall 1 apply for more of the Ngatiporou from East Cape ? Donald McLean.

Colonel Haultain to Mr. D. McLean. Bdgs., 28th November, 1808. If communications are cut off with Front at Poverty Bay, the advanced party must fall back till Whit more