AGAINST THE REBEL NATIVES.

77

A.—No. Bb,

On Tuesday morning, at nine o'clock, we started about 250 strong, and after three hours' march arrived at the foot of the big hill which commands the peninsula on which the pa stands. All the face of this hill is a large clearing at present full of splendid potatoes. It is a very steep ascent almost perpendicular but the natives ascended it in beautiful order in three parties, one on each flank and the third straight up the face, dodging from tree to tree, until they reached the summit which had been recently cleared. This was unoccupied and from here we could see that the pa was deserted. We arrived at the pa at one o'clock. There is only one large whare inside the pa, but outside there are sixteen whares. Shortly afterwards we saw the whaleboat and a large can oe come down the arm of the lake which runs towards the Huiarau ranges, full of men, and they landed at Pukehuia, wdiich is on the opposite side almost within rifle range of this place, we hoisted a white flag and called out to them to come in and give themselves up but received no reply, our canoes which were carrying our baggage did not reach here till late in the evening, or we should have gone over and captured the whaleboat, <&c. Last night and all day to-day (Wednesday) it has been raining incessantly, and there is such a sea on that it is impossible to cross the Lake, but failing to receive any reply to our offers of peace, if it is fine to-morrow we intend to cross to Tiki Tiki, and then the natives have made up their minds after examining and destroying all the different kaingas on the Lake to proceed to Buatahuna or wherever else they find traces of the enemy. I may remark here, that although Paora and Hapimana were rather vexed that they had not been consulted with regard to our first crossing the Lake, yet since that has been successfully accomplished, they, together with the other chiefs of the hapus, have acted far more cordially in carrying out my plans, and I think, for the future, I shall have no difficulty in getting them to accede to anything I propose. The amount of potatoes on this side of the Lake at the various clearings is something marvellous, and we all estimate the quantity already taken, eaten or destroyed at (including a large quantity of seed potatoes) certainly not less than 200 tons. The Hauhaus evidently did not think we should succeed in crossing the Lake which has always hitherto proved their great safeguard, for at each of the waerenga we have visited (six), large clearings have been recently made for cultivation next year, and an immense quantity of toetoe and raupo collected for building fresh whares. Last night I received your despatches, and communicated to the natives Eopata's opinion of them, which has determined them to still more vigorous action in this district, and they now wish tho Government to allow them to hold this position until the enemy is completely subdued. It is their opinion that a European force should be sent to hold this position until next summer but this of course is a matter for the consideration of the Government. I shall try and ascertain the whereabouts of the enemy, particularly of Te Kooti, and if I succeed in obtaining any reliable information, shall follow up the same and use my best endeavours to capture or kill him. If Eakiroa's account of the number here including Te Kooti's party can be relied on, I think it most likely Te Kooti is here, or at any rate was here, on Sunday last, as on that occasion the enemy numbered in the canoes and the attacking land party over 100 men. I feel it my duty before concluding this despatch to inform the Government that I have been warmly supported in the late operations by Ensign Witty, and also Messrs. Saunders and Large, more particularly Ensign Witty, who I beg to be allowed to place before the notice of the General Government ; and I feel proud of the way in which the Natives have behaved since we first crossed the Lake, and feel sure that no average Native force could have done better. I have, &c, Sub-Inspector Newland, Wairoa. F. E. Hamlin.

Enclosure 3 in No. 103. His Honor J. D. Ormond to Mr. F. E. Hamlin. Sir,— Napier, 11th June, 1870. I have received with great pleasure your report of the Bth instant, addressed to Sub-Inspector Newland, and gather from it that after overcoming great difficulties, the Force you are directing has crossed the Lake and taken the enemy's main position at Alatuahu, also a great supply of provisions, and that your natives were in good spirits and intending to attack the enemy's other positions as soon as the weather would permit. From the way in which they are acting I feel satisfied that they will press on, and shall fully expect to receive still more satisfactory intelligence from you shortly. Now that all difficulties in the way of supplies are at an end, I have no doubt that the enemy, will be crushed and the Lake District thoroughly examined. I am sending instructions to Wairoa to send you up a further supply of groceries, and hope they may arrive in time to be of service to the expedition. I have communicated to the Government at Wellington what the expedition has accomplished, and am desired to convey to yourself, Mr. Witty, and the whole Force the high sense the Government entertain of the services rendered, and which I shall not fail to represent as they deserve. I feel it unnecessary to add more, and trusting the same success may attend you as heretofore, I have, &c, Mr. F. E. Hamlin, Wairoa Expedition, J. D. Ormond. Waikaremoana.

Enclosure 4 in No. 103. Captain Breece to Major Boberts. Sir,— Te Teko, June Bth, 1870. Ngatihaka (Patuheuheu) have surrendered to me this day. There are nineteen able-bodied