A.—No. 8a

16

PAPERS RELATIVE TO MILITARY OPERATIONS

enclosing various letters respecting the movements of Te Kooti, and to state that the steps you took on the information you received were very judicious. I have, -cc., The Agent of the General Government, W. Gisborne. Hawke's Bay.

No. 36. Mr. J. Booth, R.M., to the Hon. the Premier. Sir, — . Ohincmutu, 10th December, 1869. I have the honor to report that I arrived here with Mete Kingi last evening, having come from Parikino in the day. We found Topia at Hiruharama waiting for us, and he came on in our canoe. We have found Pehi and Tahana here, who had during the day come down the river. Tahana says that, four or five days ago, he sent away two women to carry a letter to Titokowaru, telling him to sit still, and not to interfere in the proposed expedition against Te Kooti. When the women arrived at Taangarakau (where the canoes are always left by parties going to the Upper Waitara), they found some canoes already there; they therefore hurried on in hopes of having company, and after a long walk they overtook towards evening Topini te Mamaku, Te Waka, and two or three other Upper Wanganui chiefs. After a tangi and salutations, Topini asked what was the news ? The women said Topia, Pehi, and Tahana, with their men, have joined the Government; they have received four cases containing forty rifles and a quantityr of ammunition, and that the whole of the Wanganui Natives were assembling for the purpose of following Te Kooti. On hearing this news, Topini and his party, who were going to visit Titokowaru, at once returned to Wanganui, and went up the river. At Kirikiriroa, one of l\>piui's places, they overtook two messengers who had beeu sent by Pehi and Tahana with a letter to Topini. Topini said : I was on my way to Waitara to ask Titokowaru to come to the assistance of Te Kooti. When I heard what the women had to say, I returned. Go back, and say to Topia that if he brings his taua up the river to find Te Kooti, I shall be a sentry to protect Te Kooti; and tell him that I have sent to Te Kuiti (Tokangamutu) for 300 men. Topia only heard the news at the same time that we did. He says Topini cannot get any assistance from Tokangamutu; that, for his own part, he is determined to go on as he has begun, and is prepared to go up the river. Pehi and Tahana suggest going by Manganui-o-te-ao, but Topia is in favour of going by the river. 5 p.m., Hiruharama.-—Mete Kingi, and myself, came to Ranana this morning for the purpose of meeting Kemp, who, with the rest of the men, had not arrived. About 10 a.m. they arrived, and one and all declared that the Wanganui River was the chosen route. We are to leave for Ohincmutu to-morrow at 8 a.m., after the men have all been paraded, and the old men and boys weeded out. The Wanganuis have never before turned out in such numbers as they have on the present occasion. I have, &c, The Hon. the Premier, Wellington. James Booth, R.M.

No. 37. His Honor J. D. Ormond to the Hon. the Premier. (Telegram.) Napier, 14th December, 1869. In continuation of last telegrams, Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell believes Te Kooti will make for Patetere country. He tells me part of his (Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell's) force left for Waikaha by canoe yesterday, and that he would go overland this day (14th) to join them. Ido not understand this, and he leaves the road by south of Lake open. Roberts marched his force to Oruanui yesterday. The only reason I can assign for Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell's going to Waikaha is that he considers either his or Inspector Roberts' force too small to meet Te Kooti, now that Topini has joined him. This movement of his occupies King country; in fact our force is now close up to Te Kooti. They are there, and it is too late to consider the advisability of the step. All now depends upon the sincerity of the King people; if they are all right, we arc pretty certain to do something. Mr. McLean should be advised as soon as possible of our moving to Waikaha and probably to Te Papa, which is under Titiraupenga, so that he may make it all right. I will now apply myself to the food question, and push up all I can. Tapuaeharuru will now be the base of operations, and thence by canoes to Waikaha. We have occupied Taupo now in earnest. Please tell me where Jerusalem is on Wanganui River, and how long Kemp will be in getting to Tuhua, supposing he left Jerusalem yesterday. I shall send to Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell to-night, telling him he must use the resources of the country in assistance ,of supplies, and also desiring him not to lose sight of the road by south of Lake. 1 do not see that any further instructions would be of service. Please inform me if you have anything to add. The Hon. William Fox, Esq., Wellington. Ormond.