AGAINST THE REBEL NATIVES.

21

A.—No. 8,

I have forgotten to mention that I believe a further party of the Arawa, about fifty in number, have reached Tapuaeharuru, and will increase the number of men on pay. As I have before stated, all that portion of the force can shortly be dispensed with. I have written this letter with the desire of thoroughly acquainting Ministers with the particulars of the Taupo expedition, its object and result; and I trust shortly to be able to add other results —a satisfactory engagement with Te Kooti's forces. I have, &c, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary. J. D. Ormond.

No. 25. The Hon. the Colonial Secretary to His Honor J. D. Ormond, (No. 46.) Colonial Secretary's Office, Sir,— Wellington, 14th October, 1869. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 6th instant, reporting on the Taupo expedition, and to state that the Government quite agree in the views expressed by you, and in the steps you have taken in the matter, and are of opinion that the greatest credit is due to you for the judgment and energy you have shown in the discharge of very arduous and responsible duties. I have, &c, The General Government Agent, Napier. W. Gisborne.

No. 26. Mr. It. W. Woon to the Under Secretary, Native Department. Resident Magistrate's Court, Wanganui, Sir,— 6th October, 1869. I have the honor to report the receipt of the following items of intelligence from Native sources. Hoani Ngapuhi of Putiki has returned from Te Kooti's pa at Taupo, whither he went to fetch his wife, and has brought a letter from Te Kooti to Kemp and others, calling upon them not to go to Taupo to fight against him, but to leave him to fight it out with the Ngatikahungunu and Arawa, threatening at the same time if the Wanganui Natives do not withdraw from the contest he will make a raid down the Wanganui River. Te Kooti admits five killed on his side at the fight at Tokanu, one of whom was his own brother, who was standing by his side when he was shot dead. Pehi's own brother, Wiari, and some seven others, have gone to see Te Kooti, to find out what his movements are likely to be, and Pehi is reported to have said that he has no objection to the Wanganui Government Natives going to fight Te Kooti, so soon as his Natives return. Wiari, Pehi's brother, is a fighting character, and I am afraid, being a Hauhau, he is very likely to join Te Kooti with his party, at least for a time. I trust the Upper Wanganui Natives will not aid Te Kooti to any extent; but I must confess I have my doubts, and they require being narrowly watched. Mete Kingi has gone on from Ranana to Ohinemutu to see Pehi, and on his return I may elicit some more information respecting the intentions of the W ranganui Hauhaus. Topia Turoa is still at Waikato; 120 more W ranganui Natives were to start to-day from Itanana as a reinforcement to Kemp, who has gone on to Taupo. I have, &c, G. S. Cooper, Esq., Under Secretary, Richard W. Woon, Wellington. Clerk to Bench, and Interpreter.

No. 27. His Honor J. D. Ormond to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary. Napier, 7th October, 1869. Colonel Herrick has come to Haroto; from him I gather the following particulars. The fight did not take place at Iwituaroa, but on the west side of Tongariro, and on the west side of the Wanganui River, at a place called Pourere. The enemy were in the redoubt. Our force rushed it, led by Ngatihau and Arawa, supported by No. 2 Constabulary and other Natives, and killed thirty-seven of the enemy. Twenty women and children, and one man of Taupo were taken prisoners. It is not known where the enemy retreated to. It was in a dense bush and raining hard when the engagement took place, and our Natives did not follow up. Renata, from here, had his eye gouged out by a Hauhau woman. Te Heuheu's wife had come into our camp, and Te Heuhcu with his tribe, were to come in next day, and give themselves up. McDonnell would hear from them the position of the enemy, and follow him up. Evidently the country is all bush, and very difficult. Poor St. George was killed; his Natives led the attack. The force has plenty of potatoes, and the Natives are at a place called Papakai. Should the Taupo Natives come in as expected, Te Kooti's force will be largely reduced, and, from my instructions, I am 6