A.—No. Bb.

PAPERS RELATIVE TO MILITARY OPERATIONS

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suggest that they be allowed to settle at Parawai with the former, who have plenty of land at that place, and it is their own wish. I expect letters from Captain Preece in a day or so with further particulars. I have, Ac, The Officer Commanding District Gilbeet Maie, Tauranga. Captain Commanding Arawa Flying Column.

No. 101. Lieut.-Colonel Mottle to Mr. Commissioner Branigan. Sir, — District Office, Tauranga, 10th June, 1870. I have the honor to forward herewith, for the information of the Hon. the Defence Minister, a letter, with enclosures, from Captain Preece, reporting the surrender of Mohi te Wero, Wi Patene, 17 men and 23 women and children of the Ngatihaka tribe. I have requested Major Mair to dispose of the prisoners, and he proposes to locate them at Parawai, as he does not consider it advisable to have all the men who surrender placed on the lands at Putere. Bangiaho and Pera will be dealt with in the same way as other prisoners, pending instructions from the Defence Minister. With regard to Captain Preece's suggestion that a party of picked men should be sent to Te Pato to try and effect the capture of Te Kooti, I am of opinion that it would not be advisable to send an expedition into the Urewera country at the present time, when the whole of the Ureweras seem inclined to surrender, as it might have the effect of alarming them. Major and Captain Mair concur in my opinion. The bad weather and flooded state of the rivers render an expedition impossible just now, and, further, it is very doubtful about Te Kooti being up the Waioeka, as he was not there when Wiremu Kingi lately visited that place. Major Mair, commanding at Opotiki, will take advantage of any favorable opportunity for the capture of Te Kooti. I have ordered the arms given in by the prisoners to be placed in store at Te Teko or Matata. Eespecting Captain Preece's men being short of provisions, this has occurred through the necessary issues made to prisoners. A large supply of provisions is now on board the cutter " Hazard," for conveyance to Matata. I have, &c., The Commissioner Armed Constabulary Force, W. Mottle, Wellington. Inspector A.C., Tauranga District.

Enclosure 1 in No. 101. Sir— Te Teko, June 7th, 1870. I have the honor to report for your information that the Ngatihaka, under Mohi te Wero and Wi Patene, to the number of nineteen men and twenty-three women and children, have surrendered to me this day. Mohi and Bangiaho only left Buatahuna on the 28th of May. The Urewera are undecided what to do; they say we are telling them to come out one side and fighting them on the other, meaning the expeditions to Waikaremoana. lam of opinion, however, that with a little management a large portion of them will surrender. Paerau is at Waikaremoana; ho went there to see that portion of the Urewera, as they had heard they had been attacked there by our forces. I may mention that among the men who have surrendered is Bangiaho, who was engaged in the raid on Poverty Bay, and it is also said that he killed Mr. Pitcairn. There is a man, named Pera, a Chatham Island prisoner, who stayed at Eaoraopatete, being afraid to come in, as he had heard all Chatham Island men were to be hung. I purpose sending for him. Te Kooti is still at Waioeka ; the Urewera refuse to give him shelter in their country, and they propose that two of our men should go to all their kaingas to satisfy us that Te Kooti is not there. I am of opinion that if a party of picked men were sent up the Waioeka Gorge to Te Pato, and from there to the Motu Eiver, they might bo successful in capturing Te Kooti, as he has but a fow men with him. I should also recommend that Hoani Paiaka accompany such expedition, as he knows the spot where Te Kooti's camp is. I beg also to enclose translations of native letters from Buatahuna, together with list of names and arms of the men who have surrendered. I have to request that I may be instructed what lam to do with the said arms. I would beg to suggest that if the Natives_behaved themselves for any time that their arms might be returned to them. I shall be compelled to obtain a further supply of provisions from the storekeepers at Whakatane or Matata, as my men are rationed up to the 9th, and there is nothing in store. I have, &c, Lieut.-Colonel Moule, George Preece, Commanding Tauranga District. Captain Commanding Te Teko.

Sub-Enclosure 1 to Enclosure 1 in No. 101. Buatahuna, May 27, 1870. To Te WEPinA at Whakatane, — Friend —Salutations to you and your thoughts, your word is good concerning your relative Tipene. Listen, I will lay that death down (not revenge it), I will leave it with you to settle, but I will look on from here, then it will be for you and Kemp to see into it. From Tamaikowha, That is from all the tribe.