F.-No. l

PAPERS RELATIVE TO SURRENDER

40

This letter will be forwarded to you as speedily as possible, and when you see its contents you will be able to decide what plan you will adopt. The only information I have received is that. When you have seen it you must decide what course to pursue. I am sending instructions to Major Cumming to proceed at once with a force to Tikitiki, to look after Te Makarini, lest he be again taken away by Te Kooti. If Major Cumming has received any further information it will be for him to send it to you. I will write no more at present, as I am anxious to despatch the messenger in order that he may make his journey as speedily as may be. From your friend, To Major Bopata, Te Papuni. J. D. Osmond.

Enclosure 5 in No. 47. His Honor J. D. Ormond to Captain Portee. Sir,— Napier, 18th July, 1871. Ibeg to forward to you, for the information of Major Ropata, copy of a letter fromMajor Cumming, which throws some doubt on the information given by Te Makarini, as to Te Kooti being at WaikareMoana. It is difficult to judge whether the woman's story or Makarini's is to be relied on. In Makarini's case it is difficult to understand what motive he could have had for giving false information; as regards the woman, if she has been in Te Kooti's hands, it is quite possible he may have sent her to Wairoa to stop any action being taken which would interfere with him j at any rate Major Ropata will have tested (before this information can reach him) whether Te Kooti is at or near Te Wera, and if he is not it will be almost certain that he is at Waikare-Moana, in which case the movement from Wairoa will send him off from there and probably drive him towards Papuni. I have, &c, Captain Porter, J. D. Osmond. Adjutant East Coast District, Gisborne.

Sub-enclosure 1 to Enclosure 5 in No. 47. Inspector Cumming to His Honor J. D. Ormond. Sir,— Te Wairoa, 9th July, 1871. The enclosed letters have just been received from the lake. You will perceive that Te Kooti has been there and taken away some people, one of whom afterwards got away. The messenger informs me that Teaho (the man who escaped) learnt, while with Te Kooti, that when Captain Preece's force was at the lake, and Ropata at Te Reinga, Te Kooti was between them, at Papuni; also, that on one occasion, when Ropata was in the bush, Te Kooti lay within a few yards of him, and listened to his speech. I hardly think this possible, but I send you the statement as I got it. I will not take any other measures than constant scouting till I hear from you, but all my men will be ready to move. The Government boat requires repairing, and I will engage Mr. Down to commence to-morrow; as, if provisions are required to be sent up, it will be the cheapest way of sending them. The letters were opened by the Maoris, and they are rather in a state of excitement, fearing that Te Kooti will come here, but I fear there is no such chance. The messenger who came in will not return without an escort, so I will keep him till I receive your instructions. There is nothing else of importance to report; the special orderly, sent with this despatch, has instructions to hand it to Major Withers, who left this morning, if he can overtake him. I have, &e, His Honor J. D. Ormond, G. J. Cumming, Inspector A.C., General Government Agent, Napier. Commanding Te Wairoa.

Sub-Enclosure 2 to Enclosure 5 in No. 47. [Translation.] Tikitiki, 6th July, 1871. To Tamihana, Te Hapimana, Maraki, Paora, Hamana. Tio and Toha at Te Wairoa; to Paora Rerepu, Tarahina and Hone at Mohaka; to Ihaka, and all the tribe at Nuhaka,— My love to you. Take care of yourselves, for Te Kooti is here at Waikare ; Te Marau is the place at which he is staying. My sentry is at Wairau. lam afraid of that man (Te Kooti). On the 30th June he took up his quarters at Te Marau, and on the 3rd July I sent my men to watch Te Marau. He was there; he took away some of my young men unknown to me. This happened in the night. He has taken away Te Whatu, Hiko, Te Wao, Te Tata, Te Karaha. All the captives, N gatimatewai, Apikara, and Riuha. Te Aho escaped to me on the 3rd July. I was afraid to send Rawiri on that day. Should these people and Te Kooti come out at your place I have nothing to do with it. That is all about that. This is another word ; should you come, be wary. lam afraid on your account. Te Makarini. Paraone. Winitana. Friends, let me know soon that you have read my letter, for Te Kooti has disappeared from his place.