A.—No. Ba,

66

PAPERS RELATIVE TO MILITARY OPERATIONS

you know from myself what I have been doing lately. I was joined on the 4th instant, late in the evening, by Kemp and Topia, 289 strong; and as I had engaged about a hundred men of Te Kooti's the day before, and lost three killed, I was very glad to sec them. On the sth I sent them for food and to occupy Oropi, meanwhile scouting the bush well, by which means we came upon Te Kooti's camp, which, from signs we could see, had been slept in about forty-eight hours before, perhaps less, and had contained upwards of 500 people. I consulted with Fox and Kemp, and we agreed upon apian of following him, and cutting him off; but on the 6th it rained torrents. Suddenly we heard Te Kooti had broken ground at Ohinemutu, and we decided to leave the Europeans (eighty-four in number) at Oropi, and to go on to Tauranga, thence to Matata, and thence to the Kaingaroa plains, to cut him off. The surf I find now to be too great to land at Matata, so we have modified the plan so far as to march to Maketu, and from thence to be guided by circumstances. I forgot to tell you that I had previously detached 150 men to cover Maketu from any attack. I write in a great hurry, so please excuse this scrawl. My official account of my doings I will send as soon as I can. I have, &c, The Hon. the Defence Minister, Auckland. James Fraser. P.S. —I trust you will think I have acted rightly throughout.

No. 223. Lieut.-Colonel Moule to Mr. Commissioner Branigan. (Telegram.) Cambridge, 10th February, 1870. Inspector Cumming has been unable to get a messenger to follow Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell. Captain Wilson got a Maungahiwa Native to start early this morning. Henare, with fifty men, left Idamaria yesterday morning to join Lieutenant Mair. Nothing heard of Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell, Kemp, or Topia. Your instructions about biscuits shall be attended to. All quiet at Tokangamutu. I have ordered all the pack-horses to be struck off for the present. W. Moule, Inspector, A.CF.

No. 224. Lieut.-Colonel Moule to Mr. Commissioner Branigan. (Telegram.) Cambridge, 10th February, 1870. I send you an official from Inspector Cumming to self, and a private note from Major Mair to Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell: —" Tapapa, 10th February, 1870. —Sir, —I have the honor to forward a note just received from Major Mair; the messenger saw nothing of Henare. He reports that Baker is still a prisoner in charge of the Arawas. Baker, a halfcaste, bugler to Te Kooti, is killed. Nothing had been heard of Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell. • —George J. Cumming, Inspector, A.C." " Ohinemutu, 9th February, 1870.—My dear McDonnell, —Gilbert informs me that he wrote to you by a Sergeant who started through the day before yesterday. Fearing that he may have come to grief, I write now. Tc Kooti passed this place on his way to Ruatahuna on Monday. Unfortunately there were not enough men here to oppose him, as they were scattered about watching the different roads, and all that Gilbert could do was to follow and make a running fight. Te Kooti left eleven dead on the track. Ngatiwakaue were done up, and had to give up the chase. Gilbert is following to-day with Tuhourangi, and may come up with them on this side Rangitaiki. At any rate he will be able to learn which way he has gone. Ngatiwakaue are going into the bush to look for Tahau and thirty men, who remained behind to pick up stragglers. Fraser was to leave Oropi yesterday morning, and strike through this way; Ngatihau were with him. Ido not know what the next move will be, but I should say follow up to the Urewera country at once, while we have the men in the field.—W. G. Mair." W. Moule, Inspector, A.C. Force, Waikato District.

No. 225. Lieut.-Colonel Moule to Mr. Commissioner Branigan. (Telegram.) Cambridge, 11th February, 1870. Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell writes to Inspector Cumming as follows : —" Kaimai, 9th February, 1870. —Will march at once to Rotorua; I march there to-day. Kemp was in Tauranga, and he marches for Rotorua to-day. The fight was at Whakamarama (with Fraser's force) ; Te Kooti attacked Rotorua, killed a woman and child, and tried the pa at Ohinemutu. Forty-eight hours after the arrival of Mair and his men, Te Kooti was defeated; lost ten men. You had better inform Colonel Moule and Mr. Branigan of the intended move of the whole force, which I wish you to do as soon as possible, unless you are certain that Te Kooti is close to you. The bearer (Heta), who knows English well, will be your guide.—Thomas McDonnell." Pack-