AGAINST THE REBEL NATIVES.

A.—No. Bb,

21

round him, causing much offence. I do not think things are at all improved by the counsels of Sergeant Austin, who is attached to his staff. In your letter, as you merely requested me to obtain, from personal inspection, a report for the Government, I have done so to the best of my ability; but have refrained from comments of my own, or suggesting any plan of action suitable to the state affairs seem to be in. Major Kemp gave a letter to Tamaikowha, to deliver to Major Eopata of Ngatiporou, should he come across him, telling him that he had made peace with him. I sincerely trust he may deliver the letter in person. I have also the honor to enclose a letter addressed to you from the Whakatohea. I also forward a copy a letter received by me from Ensign Eushton, 0.V.E., for the information of the Government I leave on Monday for Taupo. Te Kooti was at Waioeka a few days since, and is reported to be there still. A move to that place was in contemplation when I left. I believe it was to have left to-day. I have, &c., H. T. Clarke, Esq., Civil Commissioner, Titos. McDonnell, Tauranga. Lieut.-Colonel, A.M.

Sub-Enclosure 1 to Enclosure 2 in No. 44. Ensign Eushton to Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell. Sic,— Opotiki, 18th March, 1870. I have the honor to forward to you, for the information of the Government, the following particulars relative to Majors Kemp and Topia's movements since they arrived at Ohiwa. On the " Sturt's" arrival at Ohiwa, with orders to strike off pay all European officers, at Major Kemp's request you allowed me to remain with him, to be attached to the Ngaitai and Whakatohea, part of Kemp's force. From the above date till he moved into the Waimana, he did not even send out a single scout. On tho Ist of March he got information that the mill at Kokohinau was burnt down, and that Te Kooti with his force was at Euatoki, about eighteen miles up Whakatane Valley. I urged him to march immediately into the Waimana, and he (Kemp) never moved after the receipt of this information until three days after. Te Kooti, in the meantime, had crossed over into the track leading to the Waiaua. When they marched, Kemp saw Te Kooti's track ; and although he was told by the chiefs o Ngatiawa, Ngaitai, and Whakatohea, that this was Te Kooti's trail, he took no notice, but crossed it, and marched up tho Waimana. Two days after, Te Kooti had taken the Whakatohea prisoners, two kegs of powder, and thirty or forty stand of arms. If he (Kemp) had moved when he got information of Te Kooti's whereabouts, he would have fought him and stopped him from getting into the Waiaua. I think it my duty also to state that nothing has been done with the exception of marching up the Waimana, and making peace with Tamaikowha, who has murdered three Natives and three European in this district during the last three years. The force is now at Opotoki, living on Government rations and eating up the cultivations of the Whakatohea, although Te Kooti's track is well known both by Kemp and Topia. I have not time to say more. I have, &c, Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell, J. E. Ef/shton, Ensign, Commanding Field Force. Opotiki Volunteer Bangers.

Sub-Enclosure 2 to Enclosure 2 in No. 44. Feiend Claeke,— Opotiki, 17th March, 1870. Salutations to you. This is to inform you that wo have been surprised by Te Kooti, and our women and children taken captives by him ; the total number taken by him, including men, women, and children, amounts to 170 persons. This has made us very sorry, and our sorrow has been increased by the fact that, in addition to the loss of our women and children, our plantations and food have been taken by Kemp and Topia Turoa. We should not be surprised if To Kooti had done this, as he is an enemy, and not one of us. As it is, wo have been sufferers at the hands of two parties, viz., To Kooti, and Whanganui—l mean Major Kemp. On account of these things wo are much cast down. This is another subject we are going to speak upon : —The movements of this war-party seem to me to be conducted in a very foolish manner. We have several times accompanied European expeditions but we never saw anything like this. This is the first time we have seen this war-party; and if it is left to them to follow up To Kooti, they will never be able to come up with him. As things are, we are very much cast down. We grieve much for our children. Had we been two days earlier in reaching this place, while Te Kooti was still on his way, we should have been in a better position and known what to do. As it is, we are much cast down, on account of the proceedings of this war-party. By whom shall these our grievances be removed ? Should any person hasten to our relief, there may be hope to see the day dawn upon us. It rests with you to put down or remove these evils ; and when, that is done, then peace and prosperity will follow. Friend, Mr. Clarke, this matter is now in your hands. It is for you to remove the evil. To Kooti is at present at Waioeka. He has stated that the settlements he is anxious to attack are Opotiki, Torere, and Ohiwa. This is another subject we wish to bring before you. Send us instructions what to do. If you say that we are to remain at Opotiki, or remove to any other place, good. Mr. Clarke, this is another request: we, tho persons who escaped when Te Kooti made his attack, are anxious to be enrolled or attached to the expedition against Te Kooti, to assist in the work now going on, lest we make the same mistake as we made before. . . We have made this proposal to Major Kemp, and he expressed himself willing that we should do so. We asked him by whom we were to be paid, and he said by the Government. So it is that we 6