OF MR. McLEAN ON THE EAST COAST.

31

A—No. 4a.

arrives. Westrup should have left parties to protect the road behind him, Ido not think you will now require more Ngatiporous, as there wiil be so large a reinforcement of Europeans. T. M. Haultain.

Mr. D. McLean to Colonel Haultain. Napier, 28th November, 1868, 4.30 p.m. Westrup will be instructed as you propose to enable him to open his communication. 1 can send 50 or more Militia from here for four days or a week. The immediate presence of Europeans will have a good effect. D. McLean.

Colonel Haultain to Air. D. McLean. Wellington, 28th November, 1868. You can send the fifty militiamen if you think it very desirable and you have a steamer available, but fiftytwo men are going by "Rob Roy "on Monday. Fifty Natives may be employed at Wairoa as you propose. Accept tenders for coal. I shall be very glad to get the plan. T. M. Haultain.

Colonel Haultain to Mr. D. McLean. AVellington, 28th November, 1868. My impression is that Westrup should if possible maintain his present advanced position by entrenching himself, but sending back sufficient number of men along the line of road to keep his communication open. He had better stand on the defensive till Whitmore arrives, when the force will be in a good position to attack at once. T. M. Haultain.

Colonel Whitmore to Mr. D. McLean. Wellington, 3rd December, 1868. I have urged the Government to send the largest portion of my force to Poverty Bay, and stand responsible for the result to them ; because I rely on your cordial co-operation. If you give it, or if you do as Dr. Featberston has done—urge your own friends amongst them to support and obey me—l feel no doubt of the Ngatiporou, and the Ahuriri names will do so without, so far as their courage goes, l'ouwill find me desirous to avail myself of your aid, and ready to acknowledge my obligation. G. S. Whitmore.

Air. D. McLean to Colonel Haultain. Napier, sth December, 1868. Friendly Natives and few Europeans under Gascoigne have had a splendid victory over Hauhaus at Makaretu, killing fifty. Nama, principal murderer, killed, also Henare Pata Ngatihineuru prisoner. The enemy was making for Puketapu or Waikaremoana ; should be followed up now by combined movement of Arawas. I am sending supplies to Wairoa for movement from there. Two wounded on our side. Prisoners taken by Kooti escaped. Donald McLean,

Colonel Haultain to Mr. McLean. Wellington, sth December, 1868. Delighted to bear of the success and congratulate you. " Blanche" bad better go on to Poverty Bay as Richmond and Whitmore will be there, and she may be useful in bringing troops back to Wairoa if necessary. T. M. Haultain.

Mr. D. McLean to Colonel Haultain. Napier, sth December, 1868. Thanks for congratulations. I feel much gratified at what has been done, and expect to bear of further success as tbe Ngatiporou and Hawke's Bay Natives with Gascoigne were pursuing to Puketapu. I was on board " Blanche " when your telegram came. In a letter from Richmond he says he will go to AVairoa if he succeeds in arresting Whitmore's party en route, and requests me to send supplies there. lam doing so and have directed thirty horses of Eraser's men to be driven overland as quickly as possible, landing horses at Wairoa being uncertain. Richmond says —" I feel certain some of the Urewera and Want's men will retreat to AVaikaremoana and should be met and cut off by AVairoa." In this opinion I quite concur, Wairoa being the base of operations. Do you still think " Blanche " should go to Poverty Bay ? I shewed your telegram to Captain Montgomerie who is with me, and shall intimate your further wishes to him. The enemy should be followed with great speed, and if he could land some men at the Wairoa it would be a great help. " Sturt" will take force from Povertj Bay. Puketapu, Maungapowhatu, and Waikari will be enemy's retreat. Poverty Bay is safe with small lorce. I canuot despatch " Ahuriri" till evening owing to coaling and engines. Wind favourable for landing at Wairoa. We want arms badly. Donald McLean.

Colonel Haultain to Mr. D. McLean. (Urgent.) Wellington, sth December, 1808. You can judge better than we can here, but unless you know Whitmore is at Wairoa, would it not be better that " Blanche" should go to Poverty Bay to assist in the move ? Do as you think best in this matter. I hope Gascoigne will keep up the pursuit, and keep them engaged till Whitmore gets up, if he cannot defeat them himself. We have no arms here to send, as the supply we expected did not arrive from Auckland. For whom do you require them ? T. M. Haultain.