AGAINST THE REBEL NATIVES

89

A.~-No. 8b

these parts, and his defection from their ranks, coupled with the destruction of their rendezvous in the Waioeka, will prove a severe blow to their cause. At the same time his accession to our party will be a great gain, as he is a man of considerable ability, and of good character. He has kept aloof from us hitherto, because the other chiefs of the Whakatohea made their peace with the Government without any reference to him —who had not shared in their offence, and his pride prevented him from following in their track. Even now he expresses a wish to have as little to do with them as possible. Hira informs me that his people have not seen anything of Te Kooti's party since the early part of last month, but he is of opinion that Te Kooti is still wandering about the sources of the Waioeka and Motu, where he will probably remain till the spring. Nepia Tokitahi, when last heard of, was going in search of Te Kooti; their united strength would be between forty and fifty men, who are a mixture of many tribes. If Te Kooti has left the Waioeka country, he will probabiy be heard of about Waikare. Nothing has been heard lately of Tamaikoha, but the weather has been very much against travelling. I have, Ac, The Civil Commissioner, W. G. Maie, Tauranga. Eesident Magistrate.

No. 113. Mr. H. T. Clarke, Civil Commissioner, to the Hon. the Defence Minister. MEMORANDUM. July 2nd, 1870. The enclosed is forwarded for the information of the Hon the Native Minister. This letter should be read in connection with a letter* sent by Tana to Ngaiterangi, in which it would appear that the boundary referred to was generally understood. Tana asked Te Kooti to give him Tauranga, which request was complied with, but faith wa-s broken by Te Kooti. I have, &c , The Hon. the Defence Minister, Wellington. 11. T. Clarke.

Enclosure in No. 113. Ngatiwhakaue Chiefs to Mr, Clarke, Civil Commissioner. To Mr. Clarke, — Ohinemutu, January 16th, 1870. Friend, salutations to you. Takerei and Ngahaki arrived here on the 16th of January. They escaped as refugees from Te Kooti. One of them was captured by Te Kooti, and the women. He may be dead or not, however, we believe he is dead. Te Kooti's permanent pa is at Pakaraka, on the Tapapa side of the forest. Te Kooti has said that Waikato is the boundary. Tawhiao has the other side, and Te Kooti has this side including Hauraki, Tauranga, and Eotorua; Eotorua to be Te Kooti's principal field for fighting. This is the song of the Ngatipikiao and Ngatirangiwewehi Hauhaus, which they chaunted to Te Kooti. (Song to tho effect that they were prepared to join him, and to fight at Eotorua.) From Ngaiiuruhuru, Ngawene Taupua, Warihi te Ahiwaru, And from all Ngatiwhakaue.

No. 114. TfIAKA Whaanga and other Native Chiefs to His Honor J. D. Ormond. To Ormond, — Waikaremoana, 2nd July, 1870. Friend, salutations to you. We have seen your letter, and approve of the words contained therein. Give heed. We think that we should go home, accompanied by the Hauhaus who are at present with us, and that you should come to Te Wairoa to see us and the Hauhaus also ; then we can lay down some plan with respect to the Urewera, so that we can send these Hauhaus to fetch their tribes, the Urewera. Our opinion is that we ought to settle the matter at Te Wairoa. We cannot do it here for the food has been destroyed. Some of it we have consumed. We have alsotaken some of the property, but the canoes we took care of. That is all. We will soon return home, but we are still on this side of the Lake. The weather is unfavorable. As soon as it is fine we shall cross to Te Onepoto, and then go on. We are also waiting for some Hauhaus to come here. They will probably arrive to-day. Friend come to Te Wairoa. That is all. Ihaka Whaanga, Paora, Te Hapimana, Hamana, Toha, From all of us, From all the force. * Vide Papers on Mifitary Operations, A. No. 8 8., letter No. 80