A—No. 8.

16

PAPERS RELATIVE TO MILITARY OPERATIONS

No. 10. The Under Secretary to His Honor J. D. Ormond. Sir, — Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, 27th September, 1869. I have the honor, by direction of Mr. Gisborne, to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 20th instant, reporting on the occurrences at Taupo. I have, &c, The General Government Agent, Napier, A. C. P. Macdonald Hawke's Bay. (for the Under Secretary).

No. 17. His Honor J. D. Ormond to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary. Sir, — Napier, 20th September, 1869. I have the honor to enclose a copy of a letter received a few days since from Major Westrup, reporting that Hauhaus were believed to be in the district. This, coupled with similar information from Mr. Deighton, from Wairoa, which I informed you of in my letter of the 14th instant, shows that the Urewera arc moving about in the country behind Te W rairoa and Poverty Bay. The settlers and the Colonial forces at both these places are on their guard, and aware of the proximity of the enemy, so that I consider they are in no danger, as they have strong redoubts, and are quite able to hold their own against any force that is likely to be brought against them. I am inclined to think that the Poverty Bay District is much more likely to be visited by the enemy than Wairoa, and I purpose getting Ropata and the Ngatiporou, who are returning to their homes by the " St. Kilda," to call at Turanga on their way, in case of the Urewera having come down in strength, when they would land and render assistance. From the W rairoa, we should hear quickly if a raid were made upon the settlement. As the summer advances, the Urewera will no doubt recommence hostilities, and keep the East Coast in constant commotion. I feel satisfied that no security to life and property will exist for the East Coast settlements until the Urewera have been dealt with and punished, and I trust when the suitable season arrives, the Government will authorize me to organize an expedition to secure this end. Ropata and the Ngatiporou Tribe are alike ready for the work and convinced of its necessity, and will be the most suitable force to employ. I have, &c, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. J. I). Ormond.

No. 18. The Hon. the Colonial Secretary to His Honor J. D. Ormond. (Telegram.) Wellington, 25th September, 1869. Your letter of the 20th instant, as to Urewcras threatening Wairoa and Poverty Bay Districts, received. You will, lam sure, take every precaution to prevent settlers and friendly Natives, in those districts being off their guard, and to secure, as far as possible, their safety. Steps taken by you approved. The General Government Agent, Napier. W. Gisborne.

No. 19. His Honor J. D. Ormond to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary. Sir, — Napier, 27th September, 1869. I have the honor to enclose copy of a Despatch, received this afternoon from Lieut.Colonel McDonnell, of an engagement that had taken place on the 25th instant, Saturday, at Taupo. In explanation of Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell's letter, I may state that Tokano, the position occupied by the force that was attacked by Te Kooti, was held by 249 Natives only, and that the remainder of the force was at Rotoaira, eight miles distant. Seeing that Te Kooti had, by Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell's estimate, 250 to 300 men with him, our Natives must have behaved well, as they were certainly not superior to him in number, and the defeat of the celebrated Tc Kooti by an equal number of Friendlics is, to say the least of it, an improvement •on what we have of late years been accustomed to. It will be seen by Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell's despatch that the Whanganuis, under Kemp, had not, up to that date, reached him; also that No. 2 Division, who were on the road, had also not then arrived. Both parties would, I trust, be up in time to take part in the proposed general attack which was to take place to-day. I hope to be able to report a more decided success by the next opportunity. 1 have, &c, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. J. D. Ormond.