D.—N

PAPERS RELATIVE TO AN OUTRAGE COMMITTED BY A MAORI AT MATAURE.

No. l. THE NATIVE SECRETABT TO THE CITIL COMMISSIONER, WAIMATE. Native Office, Auckland, October 12th, 1863. SIH, With reference to the subject of the alleged criminal assault by a Maori named Hohepa on Miss Stephenson, I am directed by the Native Minister to request that you will be good enough to forward at once the report called for by minute on A.G-. 63,900, which was referred to you on the 23rd ultimo, and to account for the delay which has already taken place. I have, &c, Edward Shortland, . . . Native Secretary. The Civil Commissioner, Waimate, Bay of Islands.

No. 2. THE CIVIL COMMISSIONER, WAIMATE, TO THE HONORABLE THE NATIVE MINISTER. Civil Commissioner's Office, Waimate, October 23rd, 1863. Sir, — Eeferring to your letter of the 12th instant, which I this day received, in which you request me to account for delay in reporting the case of Miss Stephenson, called for by your minute 03,900, I beg leave to shew that there has been no delay on my part. Your minute of 23rd ultimo reached me late on Saturday night of 3rd instant. On Monday the sth, I received Mr. Williams' report of the case, and on the 7th forwarded copy of the same by special messenger to Eussell, covered with my letter of the 7th to the Native Minister. The delay must therefore have arisen from some other source. I have, &c, George Clahke, Civil Commissioner. The Honorable the Native Minister.

No. 3. THE CIVIL COMMISSIONER, WAtMATE. TO THE HONORABLE THE NATIVE MINISTER. Civil Commissioner's Office, Waimate, October 7th, 1863. .Snt, — I have the honor herewith to enclose to you the Kesident Magistrate's report on the case, referred to me under blank cover from Mr. Kidd of the Taraire.