OE MR. McLEAN ON THE EAST COAST.

35

A.—No. 4a,

Colonel Haultain to Mr. D. McLean. Bdgs., 3rd March, 1869, 11.15 p.m. Sullivan's reports are alarming, but, from all the information we have yet received, are very improbable, and require sifting and corroborating. The Himalaya left yesterday by order of the Commodore, so that we retain the 18th for the present. T. M. Haultain. Captain Fox to the Under Seceetaey foe Defence. Napier, 9th March, 1869. " St. Kilda " just arrived from East Coast with eighty-five Ngatiporou, with Ferris and Native Chief Robert. AVent as far as Opotiki. Te Kooti within twenty miles Otatara, on the Waimana River ; strength not known. Very bad weather all the time. Short of coals, and taking ten tons on board in the roadstead. Will proceed with all possible despatch as soon as coals are on board. George Fox, Commanding " St. Kilda."

Mr. D. McLean to Colonel Haultain. Napier, 9th March, 1809, 4.45 p.m. Ropata and some eighty Ngatiporou have called here in " St. Kilda," and Ropata wishes to know if I approve of his going to the West Coast, if not that be has no desire to go. I consider that removing Ropata while the East Coast is threatened is exceedingly injudicious, and likely to invite further disaster, and with the threats from Waikato I would suggest that tbe Government should reconsider the propriety of removing Ngatiporou and Ropata. Donald McLean.

Colonel Haultain to Mr. D. McLean. Wellington, 9th March, 1869. It is of great importance for several reasons, that Ropata and the Ngatiporou should go to the West Coast, and Government trust that you will use your influence to cause them to proceed without delay. T. M. Haultain.

Mr. D. McLean to Colonel Haultain. Napier, 9th March, 1869, 8.34 p.m. Ropata has no desire to go further, I will speak to him in the morning about it. In the mean time I have asked the Master of the " St. Kilda" to remain till morning. Donald McLean.

Mr. D. McLean to Captain Fox. Napier, 9th March, 1869. I have not yet had a reply to a telegram sent to the Honorable the Defence Alinister, and if you have no instructions to the contrary I should wish you to delay till morning if no telegram comes in the meantime. Donald McLean.

Colonel Haultain to Mr. D. McLean. Wellington, 10th March, 1869. I am anxious to hear whether Ropata is coming on. The Government will be greatly disappointed if anything prevents this arrangement being carried out. T. M. Haultain.

Mr. D. McLean to Colonel Haultain. Napier, 10th March, 1869, 11.15 a.m. Ropata is with me. He says he has no heart or inclination to go to the AVest Coast, the reason being that he leaves his own people unprotected, while the district is being threatened with danger; that his absence invites attack. I asked if he remained, whether his people would go ? He replies all should remain, and expresses dissatisfaction at the manner in which their services have been engaged. Donald McLean.

Mr. D. McLean to Captain Fox. Napier, 10th March, 1869. Ropats. has intimated to me his intention not to proceed to Wellington, and he wishes his men to be

landed here. Donald McLean. Mr. D. McLean to Colonel Haultain. Napier, 10th March, 1869, 3.20 p.m. I have received no reply to telegram of this morning. Ropata pressing for reply, and throwing himself on me for advice. I could not in present state of the East Coast find it consistent with my view of my public duty to advise his going to West Coast, and have told him so. Donald McLean.

Lieut.-Colonel Lambeet to Colonel Haultain. Napier, 10th March, 1869, 4.16 p.m. Captain Fox has applied to me for instruction as to landing the Natives. Mr. AlcLean will not issue posi-