A.—No. Ba,

18

PAPERS RELATIVE TO MILITARY OPERATIONS

There has been some opposition to tho plan of going by the river ; first, on the part of Te Piki, brother to Topini te Mamaku, who sent a letter which was received yesterday. The letter is as follows :— " To Pehi Turoa, to Tahana, and to Topia.—Friends, we have heard that you intend to come up this river for the purpose of following your man, Te Kooti. We are in great fear on account of this information, and this fear extends to Te Kuiti; rather go by Rangipo Ranana. Let the Hauhaus also go by Rangipo." There has also been some opposition to the proposed route by Wiari Turoa, uncle to Topia. Kemp and Mete Kingi, on arriving here, left the whole matter in the hands of Topia, having placed the men at his disposal, and Topia, with the full consent of Pehi and Tahana, determined that the whole force should go by the river. Topini sent down a letter to-day from Ngaruahrne (Tuhua) saying to Pehi, to Tahana, and to Topia Turoa, " I have heard that you are swimming up this river; my thoughts are directed to the words of Tawhiao, that Whanganui should be a matapihi (window) and doorway —this is all." This letter of Topini neither consents to, nor opposes the proposed expedition. Nothing could possibly be more satisfactory than the present state of feeling on the part of Topia and his people, and it is to be attributed entirety, in my opinion, to the bold but wise policy of putting arms into Topia's hands when he once applied for them. By this means the Government has not only secured his willing assistance in the matter of Te Kooti, but it has gone forth to other tribes, with his knowledge and consent, that he has joined the Government and received Government assistance; and Topia, on his part, says he is acting entirely by direction of Tawhiao. I am very sanguine that the present expedition will be a means of effectually breaking down the barrier which has so long unhappily existed between the two parties in this Island. I have, &c., The Hon. the Premier, Wellington. James Booth, R.M.

No. 42. The Hon. the Premier to His Honor J. D. Ormond. (Telegram.) Wellington, 19th December, 1869. I have no news from the river later than Mr. Booth's and Topia's letter of the 13th, already reported. No doubt weather has delayed them. Mr. Booth's letter is too circumstantial to permit any doubt that Mamaku in person was on his road to I'itokowaru before he knew that Topia had come over; but he returned before reaching Titoko, and is now either cowed or acquiescent. Any way, they think nothing of him, and the only thing I fear is lest he should have warned Te Kooti. His Honor J. D. Ormond. William Fox, Premier.

No. 43. Mr. Hetit to the Hon. the Defence Minister. (Telegram.) Alexandra, 5.30., 13th December, 1869. Wi Pukapuka came to my place last night. He reports that Natives from Marairoa have come in, and state that Te Kooti led by Kereopa is on his road towards Patetere, Te Papa, and Aotcaroa. Rewi has sent Aporo and party to stop him. Tawhiao left my place this morning to get out of the way. The Hon. the Defence Minister, Auckland. Louis Hetit.

No. 44. Lieut.-Colonel Moule to the Hon. the Defence Minister. (Telegram.) Hamilton, 13th December, 1869. Natives report that Te Kooti and Kereopa are on their way to Tauranga, and that Rewi has sent to stop them. The Hon. D. McLean, Auckland. W. Moule, Lieut.-Colonel.

No. 45. Mr. W. N. Searancke, R.M., to the Hon. the Defence Minister. (Telegram.) Alexandra, 3.30, 16th December, 1869. Aporo has written from Tuhua to Manuwhiri to be on the look out, that Te Kooti and Kereopa were either at or near to Maraeroa (two days' journey from Te Kuiti). Tawhiao has been fetched from Haurutu, and Natives are assembling at Te Kuiti. Will you authorize my sending up messenger to make inquiries at Te Kuiti, or send me instructions. Numerous reports are in circulation. To the Hon. the Native Minister, Auckland. William N. Searancke, R.M.