A.—No. 8b

14

PAPERS RELATIVE TO MILITARY OPERATIONS

this is rather au important look-out, I have sent six more men up there to-day, and they will return-to-morrow night; from here, they command the Ohinepaka valley track. I have, &c, His Honor J. D. Ormond. James W. Witty.

Enclosure 4 in No. 30. His Honor J. D. Ormond to Sub-Inspector Newland. Sir,— Napier, 10th March, 1870. I send the p.s. " Sturt" to ascertain how affairs are progressing at the Wairoa. I trust the expedition has moved on towards Waikare-Moana; and in the event of that being tho case, my former instructions as to the disposal of the Constabulary will remain unaltered. In the event however of the expedition being checked, I have to convey to you other instructions, and to request you will carry the same out as far as practicable. Should tho Native force be checked, I shall wish you to confer with Mr. Hamlin, and ascertain whether the presence of a small body of Europeans would insure an advance to Onepoto. I believe that it would, and I should wish you to take every available man of the Constabulary essential to tho occupation of that post. Tho men would have to carry their rations with them ; and when the position was once gained, it would probably be easy to withdraw the Constabulary, whom it would be difficult to feed there wdthout the establishment of a transport service from Te Ariki, which is out of the question, as if once commenced we should have to provide for the entire force in that manner. In the event of your employing the Constabulary to promote the occupation of Onepoto, you are authorized to place twenty-five men of the Militia or Military Settlers on pay, for the purpose of occupying the blockhouse at Te Kapu, where you would place fifteen men, and at the redoubt at Clyde, where you would station the other ten ; and in the event of your requiring to take the Constabulary on with the expedition to Onepoto, Mr. Hamlin will arrange to leave, say, twenty Natives at Te Ariki, who with four or five Constabulary could hold that post during the temporary absence of the Constabulary. Should the expedition have received a check, I believe the course I have named will insure a forward move, and I would urge upon you that it is of the greatest importance that the Ngatiporou and Wanganui expeditions should not find, on arrival at Waikare-Moana, that no occupation from this side has taken place. It is unnecessary for me to add more. As I before stated, if the expedition is moving forward, and no delay in occupying outposts be likely to occur, then abide by the former instructions, and occupy Te Kapu and Te Ariki with the Constabulary; but if there be any hitch, do your utmost to lead the expedition on, by associating the Constabulary with them in the advance. I shall be obliged by your furnishing me with a statement of what ammunition you have on hand, as you may be called upon for a supply by Eopata or Kemp ; also, be good enough to state any other things which are likely to be required. I have directed to be sent to your address by this opportunity four tents and some breech-loading ammunition. If you find it necessary to take tho Constabulary to the front, please lose no time, and carry out what I have named, as the speedy occupation of Onepoto is essential to the success of the expedition into the Urewera country. I have, <fee, To Sub-Inspector Newland, Commanding, Wairoa. J. D. Ormond.

Enclosure 5 in No. 30. His Honor J. D. Ormond to Tamihana. Friend, — This goes to you by Mr. Hamlin, who will convey to you the news about Te Kooti, and how he has been hunted into the Urewera country ; also how Mr. McLean and the Government are sending forces there after him. He will also tell you what the Government ask you to do in assisting in crushing this reptile, the murderer of your brother and people. Friend, we rely on you to do your share in this work, and with Ihaka Whaanga and our other friends to end the trouble Te Kooti and the other bad men who are with him have brought upon the country. Be careful in the selection of the men you send to fight, in which Hamlin will assist you. Only Hamlin will accompany you and the people, and it will be for you, the chiefs, with him to arrange the plans against the enemy. From your friend, To Tamihana. J. D. Oemond. [Same letter to Paora A.patu, only leaving out reference to brother.]

No. 31. The Hon. the Defence Ministee to His Honor J. D. Ormond. Sir, — General Government Offices, Auckland, 21st March, 1870. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 15th instant, detailing the steps you had taken to get an onward movement made by the Constabulary and Native forces to the Urewera country. I regret very much the absence of zeal on the part of the Wairoa Natives, and I expect that the report with reference to Eopata's return to that district must have originated with those Natives, who have shown such an unwillingness to afford co-operation against the enemy. Mr. Locke and Mr. Hamlin appear to have used their best endeavours to induce the Natives to take some decided action. The instructions you have issued, and the course you have adopted under the very difficult circumstances in which you were placed, fully merit the approval of the Government. I quite recognize the