A.—No. Bb,

PAPERS RELATIVE TO MILITARY OPERATIONS

6

No. 12. His Honor J. D. Ormond to Mr. Hamlin. Sic, — Napier, 15th February, 1870. I have already acquainted you verbally with the desire of the Government that you should proceed to Wairoa and raise a Native force for the occupation of Onepoto, and for taking such action against the enemy as you may find possible. Tho duty which is intrusted to you is I am well aware difficult, but your knowledge of the Natives and of the country will materially assist you in it. You will on arrival at the Wairoa make known to Faora Te Apatu and Tamihana the object of your mission, and personally communicate as speedily as possible with Ihaka Whaanga, whose aid will be of great assistance. You will, from your knowledge of the Wairoa Natives, be well able to select the most efficient force that district can furnish, and you are authorized to employ 150 to 200 Natives for the objects of the expedition. In the general management of what is to be done, you will consult with the chiefs and work with them, which, as the expedition is to be entirely composed of Natives, is essential. The transport of food is a most difficult feature of the operations, and you must explain to the Natives that the Government cannot do more than transport food for them to Te Ariki, which will be done ; from thence they will have to fetch what they require. A post at Te Ariki, and another at Te Kapu, will be held by the Constabulary, mainly for the protection of the supplies. You are aware of the different forces that are advancing into the TJrewera county, and it will be the main object of the force that will occupy Onepoto to keep the command of the roads in the vicinity, and prevent the enemy escaping either towards Poverty Bay, or the Wairoa, or Mohaka. The boats that were concealed and sunk by Lieut.-Colonel Herrick should if possible be raised, as they would be of great service on the Lake. Sub-Inspector Newland will be instructed to send two of the men of his force with you, to show the spot where the boats were sunk, and to assist in any way you require. He will also issue on your requisition such ammunition as you may require for the use of the expedition. You will please use the utmost exertions practicable in organizing this expedition, and getting it into position, as the other forces must be far on their road into the Urewera country. Belying upon your well-known zeal and alacrity in cases like the present, I have, <&c, F. E. Hamlin, Esq., Napier. J. D. Ormond.

No. 13. His Honor J. D. Ormond to the Officer Commanding, Wairoa. Sir, — Napier. 15th February, 1870. I notified to you by the overland mail that Te Kooti had escaped to the Urewera country, and I have now to inform you that our forces are pursuing him in considerable strength by the Waimana and Ahikeruru roads, whilst Major Eopata Wahawaha advances upon Maungapowhatu by way of Poverty Bay. A very large force will speedily be concentrated on the Waikare-Moana and Maungapowhatu positions, and I am directed by the Hon. the Defence Minister to take steps for occupying Onepoto at Waikare-Moana with a Native force. Mr. Hamlin proceeds to-morrow upon this service, and you will please assist him in any way in your power. He has full instructions for his guidance ; and as the expedition is purely a Native one, it is not wished that any of the force under your command should accompany it, except two smart men, whom you will please select and place at Mr. Hamlin's disposal, for assisting to keep account of food supplied, &c. They must be men who know the place, and were present when the boats were sunk in the Lake. Although the Constabulary will not be moved to Onepoto, it will be necessary to avail of their services in connection with the expedition; and you will please at once take steps for the occupation of Te Kapu by twenty men, and of a post at Te Ariki by other twenty men of the Constabulary under your command. This will ensure the safety of the supplies, and will still leave a few men to hold the blockhouse at Wairoa, and to scout from there. Quartermaster Bower informs me that you will have no difficulty in arranging for the supply of tho men at Te Kapu, but that the men at Te Ariki will require to have their supplies forwarded to them. This you will please arrange in the best way you are able ; and I may state that it is not expected the present operations will last more than a very short time, and any arrangements made must be of a temporary character. A supply of flour, biscuit, and groceries, as well as ten kegs of ammunition, are being forwarded to your address by schooner by the Quartermaster. You will be good enough to make the necessary arrangements for the transport of such food as may be required for the Natives to Te Ariki. The Government boat can take the stores from Wairoa to Te Kapu, and a crew must be furnished from the twenty men who will be stationed there ; from there to Te Ariki I gather that you can arrange for canoe transport at from £2 to £3 a ton, and the Natives employed on the expedition will receive delivery of such stores as Mr. Hamlin may make requisition for at that place. You will also supply such ammunition for the use of the expedition as Mr. Hamlin may make requisition for. It has been named to me that it will be requisite to form a post at Te Ariki, on the side of the river from whence the supplies will be taken; but a very small work will secure twenty men, and this will require to be done. You will please send early information of any intelligence of importance that may reach you ; and should it be of sufficient importance, you are authorized to employ a special messenger for the purpose.