I visited these people, and judging from their restless looks and the expressions of disgust from the warriors and chiefs who were employed in digging over Mr Booth's flower beds and horse paddock, I considered it very unlikely they would remain in durance vile much longer, so I wrote to the Government re commending their removal to a more secure place, and.they were afterwards sent to Otago, in the South Island. I then returned to Wanganui and started up that river on my way to Taupo. The second day I fell in with the Chief-To Hira, who strongly advised me to return, as the way was not safe and all the roads to Taupo were ambuscaded by Te Kooti's fol lowers. I, however, continued my journey under some difficulties, as the country waa flooded from the heavy rains, and reached Karioi, at. the foot of Ruapehu Mountain, on Sunday, the 11th August, where I met a few of the old Native Contingent, who had been disbanded. The Movements of Te Kooti. The following day I had a long confi dential talk with Hare Tauteka and Wiri hana Puna, chiefs of the Nga te Toa tribe, and learned that Te Kooti was at Waikato, but intended returning a t once and estab lishing himself at Tok'ano, on the Taupo Lake, and at Moerangi, a very large village wbich he had sacked, but not do- j stroyed, as he intended making that his headquarters. Hare Tauteka's miller, a Frenchman living at Tokano, had been seized by Te Kooti, but he offered to spare his life if he would give him £10 in money and agree to run the mill to provide flour for his men. The money was paid at once. Appointed to the Command. Other information I obtained decided me to return to Wellington forthwith, so on the 3rd of August I left Karioi, and arrived in Wellington on the 10th, and handed over my reports to Sir Donald McLean, who desired me to hold myself in readi ness to start for Taupo and take command of a force which' was to meet me there. 