AGAINST THE REBEL NATIVES.

A.—No. Bb.

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No. 23. His Honor J. D. Oemond to the Hon. the Colonial Seceetaey. Sir,— Napier, sth March, 1870. Having received information from the Wairoa that the expedition which Mr. Hamlin had been sent to arrange had not started, and that some difficulties had arisen, I thought it best to proceed to Wairoa myself, and accordingly left here at midnight on the 3rd instant. I found on arrival at Wairoa that the Natives were assembling, but that further delay might occur. Mr. Hamlin, who was sent to organize this expedition, had used his best efforts to get the expedition started, and had been assisted lately by Mr. Locke ; but delay was still occurring, partly from dissatisfaction at the change from daily pay when on service, to which they were accustomed, and partly to one large hapu being on unsatisfactory terms with the Government, in consequence of their refusal to give up to custody a prisoner who was released, or rather who escaped, some time ago from the Wairoa Lock-up. Deeming it of considerable importance that an expedition should start, and establish without delay a post at Onepoto, on the Wairoa side of Waikare-Moana Lake, both for purposes of communication, and also as support to the other advancing expeditions, who might, in the absence of this expected support, be much dissatisfied, I at once arranged to meet the Natives, and took steps for obtaining the surrender of the escaped prisoner; before I met the Natives I had the satisfaction to hear that the prisoner had come in and surrendered himself. I found on meeting the Natives that no great difficulties stood in the way of the expedition, and that what was mostly required was to hasten their movements. I am glad to report that the proceedings of the meeting were very satisfactory, and that on its termination a considerable section of the Natives present shouldered their arms and moved off to To Kapu ; the remainder are to follow to-day, and the whole expedition will move from Te Kapu on Monday; it will number about 200 men. The Natives understand that they receive no daily pay; but that if the expeditions are successful, they will all be rewarded in proportion to the services rendered. Another expedition, numbering about eighty men, moves on Monday for Mohaka; they will scout the southern shores of the Waikare-Moana Lake, and join the Wairoa expedition at Onepoto. After that the combined expedition will act upon the enemy as found practicable, and endeavour to communicate with the Ngatiporou and other expeditions acting against Te Kooti and the Urewera. The expeditions from this side will require more assistance in the shape of food than those advancing from other directions. The country between Wairau and Waikare-Moana is destitute of cultivations, and the necessity of holding a post at Onepoto entails feeding the party so employed ; as however all communication with the advancing expeditions must come through there, I have deemed it necessary to arrange this; no expensive means of transport are however being provided. What I have arranged is as follows : —The Constabulary hold posts at Te Kapu and Te Ariki, the latter about thirty miles up the Wairoa Biver, and the other an intermediate post. The Constabulary take such supplies as may be needed to Te Kapu by boat, and thence to Ariki they are to be conveyed up the river by canoes at £3 per ton. From Te Ariki the Natives are to fetch themselves what may be required. Mutton is to be supplied at Te Ariki and at Waikare-Moana at 4^d. per pound. I have further instructed Mr. Hamlin that he is only to issue food when it is fouml impossible to obtain supplies from the enemy's country, and that he should endeavour to feed the expedition upon the enemy as much as possible. You will gather from this report that no serious expenditure is to be incurred, and that which I have arranged is absolutely necessary for securing the success of the operations now going on. Small advances for the purchase of clothing, &c, were in some cases necessary, but the total amount on this account is very trifling. I have taken measures for obtaining speedy information at Wairoa of anything that takes place in the Waikare-Moana country, and think it advisable that, if possible, the " Sturt" should be at my disposal to keep up communication with that place. I trust what I have done will meet the approval of the Government. I have, &c, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. J. D. Ormond.

No. 24 The Hon. the Colonial Seceetaey to His Honor J. D. Ormond. Colonial Defence Office, Sir,— Wellington, Bth March, 1870. I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the sth instant, in which you detail the arrangements you have made for starting the Native expedition under Mr. Hamlin to WaikareMoana, holding the post of Onepoto, and supplying the force with food, &c.; and to convey to your Honor the approval of the Government of the steps you report having taken, and also to express their satisfaction at the energy and discretion shown by you on this, as on other occasions. I have, &c, His Honor J. D. Ormond, &c, Napier. W. Gisboene.

No. 25. Major Mate, 8.M., to Mr. 11. T. Claeke, Civil Commissioner. Sic, — Civil Commissioner's Office, Tauranga, 11th March, 1870. I have the honor to report upon Native matters in the Bay of Plenty District. About the 4th instant, the Ngatihau, under Kemp, left Ohiwa for Maungapowhatu, with about 150 Bawhiti Natives, including 40 Whakatohea. Hori Kawakura with 60 Ngatiawa marched up the 3