A.—No. Ba,

38

PAPERS RELATIVE TO MILITARY OPERATIONS

No. 104. (Telegram.) Cambridge, 21st January, 1869. To Josiah (Firth) and Dr. Pollen, Auckland, —■ Friend, salutations to you. The thought of you and Dr. Pollen is • good. This is my word : You must together make this peace, for the Government are following after me still. Now, Dr. Pollen, send the Government (forces) back, that the establishment of our peace may be arrived at. That is all. From your servant, Te Kooti.

No. 105. The Hon. the Defence Minister to Mr. Louis Hetit. (Telegram.) Auckland, 21st January, 1870. lam just back from Tauranga; I wish to get all the news from you I can. Inform Tamati Tawhiao and Rewi that we respect our arrangement with them; whether they co-operate or not, we must deal with Te Kooti. Donald McLean.

No. 106. The Hon. the Defence Minister to Lieut.-Colonel Moule. (Telegram.) Auckland, 21st January, 1870. Can you inform me of the present position of Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell's force, or if Te Kooti is still at Okawhia ? I want to know as soon as possible. Donald McLean.

No. 107. Lieut.-Colonel Moule to the Hon. the Defence Minister. (Telegram.) Cambridge, 21st January, 1870. Colonel McDonnell's force should be at Waimahana to-morrow. Some friendly Ngatihau in Cambridge this afternoon report l ne Kooti as being still at Okawhia, intending to remain there until the forces from Taupo and this place should have closed on him, then to slip off to the Urewera country by way of Rotorua. Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell will expect a reply from me to-morrow as to whether I can supply him with food. W. Moule, Lieut.-Colonel.

No. 108. The Hon. the Defence Minister to Mr. Commissioner Branigan. (Telegram.) Auckland, 21st January, 1870. Let me know Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell's position as soon as you hear of it from Lieut.-Colonel Moule, and keep me advised of all that is going on, that I may direct combined movements of Arawa and Tauranga parties. Donald McLean.

No. 109. The Hon. the Defence Minister to Lieut.-Colonel Moule. (Telegram.) Auckland, 21st January, 1870. A force of 300 Arawa is ready to march on Te Kooti's position when ordered, besides 100 Constabulary and 50 Volunteers from Tauranga. I should like Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell to halt at first point to which provisions can be sent from Cambridge, till a signal is given for a combined movement, unless he is confident of success without this co-operation. Have the goodness to despatch a messenger to him at once, and let me know what his force is composed of, and if Kemp and Topia are with him. Donald McLean.

No. 110. Lieut.-Colonel Moule to the Hon. the Defence Minister. (Telegram.) Cambridge, 21st January, 1870. Your telegram was forwarded to Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell at 6.30, together with the following from myself: " Preparations are being made at Cambridge for supplying you with provisions, &c. Answer the telegram, and keep me acquainted with your movement and wants, and I will forward your replies to the Defence Minister for his information and instruction." Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell's force is stated to consist of 100 Europeans, twenty-five of these mounted, and the remainder Natives. Major Kemp and Major Topia both present. W. Moule, Inspector, A.C.