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PAPERS RELATIVE TO MILITARY OPERATIONS

will enable him to be with Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell to-morrow morning. Let me have your instructions at once; orderly in waiting; but perhaps you ought to see Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell's despatch first. The Hon. the Defence Minister. St. John Branigan, Commissioner, A.C.

No. 127. Mr. Commissioner Branigan to the Hon. the Defence Minister. (Telegram.) Cambridge, 25th January, 1870. The following received from Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell through Lieut.-Colonel Moule, at Hinuera Camp : —• " Camp Ta Papa, 24th January, 1870. —To Lieut.-Colonel Moule. —I gladly received your letter of yesterday's date, with instructions that supplies were on the way for the use of the forces, as the men are getting quite weak from the want of meat, and constant marching. We captured one of Te Kooti's picquets this evening near this place, killing one man and taking three, also one woman. Te Kooti's position is in a straight line about five miles from here, and I intend attacking it to-morrow at daylight, if I do not consider the place too strong to do so with success. Short and sharp is the plan I wish to take, but if I see the least likelihood of not succeeding, I will do my best to thoroughly invest the position, and will then gladly meet you to consult on the measures to be adopted. At present I of course cannot leave my force with the enemy's stronghold in sight until I look it up. From information received from the prisoners, Te Kooti has certainly 200 men with him. Hakaraia and Te Waru are both with him. I hurry the messenger back at once, as I was marching most of last night, having only this moment returned from taking a look at the road we must march to-night.—Thomas McDonnell, Lieut.-Colonel." To the Hon. the Defence Minister. St. John Branigan, Commissioner, A.C

No. 128. The Hon. the Defence Minister to Mr. Commissioner Branigan. (Telegram.) Auckland, 25th January, 1870. Let Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell go on. Do not on any account stop him. What force has Lieut.Colonel Moule with him? Can he be supported with 100 men ? If so, let him co-operate, but not interfere with Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell's plans and arrangements, as be commands a large mixed force, and the Natives might hesitate to act under a new commander, as they cannot understand seniority in such matters. Every assistance must be given, and no restriction of any kind placed on Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell's action. Lieut.-Colonel Moule should send on provisions. Just received Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell's despatch. Pleased to hear what he is doing ; tell him so. Mr. Commissioner Branigan, Cambridge. Donald McLean.

No. 129. The Hon. the Defence Minister to Mr. Commissioner Branigan. (Telegram.) Auckland, 25th January, 1870. "Luna" off to Tauranga with orders to Lieut.-Colonel Fraser to take cohorns in case Te Kooti's pa may require them. Arawa will be on the alert to cut off retreat. Mr. Commissioner Branigan, Cambridge. Donald McLean.

No. 130. Mr. Commissioner Branigan to the Hon. the Defence Minister. (Telegram.) Cambridge, 25th January, IS7O. Your instructions with regard to Lieut.-Colonel. McDonnell will be attended to. Lieut.Colonel Moule lias ninety men, a small force for the work he has in hand. He can be supplied with 1.00 men from this camp, who have started to support his. Lieut.-Colonel Moule will also be instructed to co-operate, and in no way to interfere with Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell for the reasons stated by you. Lieut.-Colonel Moule informs me that first provisions received start to-morrow morning from his camp at Hinuera. They will therefore arrive at Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell's camp in good time. I will at once convey to Lient.-Colonel McDonnell your approval of his plans and proceedings. The Hon. the Defence Minister. St. John Branigan, Commissioner, A.C.