E.—No. 1.

No. 71. MEMORANDUM of Ministers respecting Te Hesiara's interview with the Coioniax Secretary. Mr. Whitaker is aware that Te Hemara, some days ago, had an interview with Mr. Fox, and that the subject of the escaped prisoners was discussed; but Mr. Whitaker is not aware that any message was sent to them. Mr. Fox will return to Auckland to-morrow, or the next day, when a more precise answer shall be sent to His Excellency's enquiry. 9th November, 1864. Fred. Whitaker.

Enclosure to No. 71. Te Hemara came to Mr. Fox on Friday last, in order to explain to him that he (Te Hemara) had heard that some Natives had said that he (Te Hemara) was mixed up with the escape of the prisoners, the same as Tauwhitu and others were, and he (Te Hemara) wanted to state that such was not the case. Te Hemara told Mr. Fox that the prisoners had heard that he was going to see them. Mr. Fox replied that he had no intention of going to see them, but that if they wrote him a letter asking him to go, he would do so. Te Hemara said to Mr. Fox. " You write a letter telling them." Mr. Fox said, "No ; I will not. Ton tell them that if they wish to see me, they must write and ask me." Auckland, November 9th, 18G4. E. W. Puckey.

No. 72. MEMORANDUM of His Excellency relative to the removal of the escaped Prisoners to Waikato. The Governor wishes to inform his Responsible Advisers that since he last wrote to them upon the subject of the escaped prisoners, he has been led to believe that it is possible, that if he offered these men a safe conduct back to Waikato, they would return there ; and that it would not be necessary in this ease to make any stipulations in regard to the men suspected of being guilty of murder, as they would return with the others, taking their chance of not being subsequently caught. The Governor thinks it doubtful if the escaped prisoners will return to Waikato, but after the complaints made by the settlers in the vicinity of the place w rhere these men now are, he thinks the attempt should be made to get them to return to Waikato, and that Ministers should assent to his offering, without any further delay, a safe conduct to the prisoners back to Waikato. November 9th, 1864. G. Grey.

No. 73. MEMORANDUM of Mlnistees acquiescing in His Excellency's proposal to remove escaped Prisoners to Waikato. In reply to His Excellency's Memorandum of yesterday's date, in reference to the escaped Prisoners, Ministers beg respectfully to state that they have no objection to make to His Excellency offering a safe conduct to the Prisoners back to Waikato. 10th November, 1864. Fred. Wiiitakee.

No. 74. Copy of a LETTEE from Mitai P. Taui to tlio Hon. Mr Whitakee. [translation.] Friend Mk Wiiitakeh, — This is a word from the prisoners. Three of the prisoners came to the place of Eru Patuone. Only one man was found there by those prisoners, Mihaka Tupanapana. Those prisoners said to Mihaka, " We have come to see you and your wife—the last time we shall see you." Mihaka then asked them, Why so ? The prisoners replied, The only reason is, that evil will be to-day ; in two weeks it will commence; only one thing at present causes delay, —the guns of the settlers who live scattered at Waikoukou and elsewhere ; they will by-and-bye be fetched and taken away. When his gun is taken away, the Pakeha will be left to live there, and so on till a hundred years have been obtained. If the Pakeha resist the taking away of his gun, then — Upon "the coming of the men from Puafahi, Kaipara, they came to get the prisoners to go to Puatahi. Tauwhitu said to them that he did not like them to go to Kaipara ; but if there had been evil (first), then (only) it would be right. Te Hemara Karawai then arose and said to Tauwhitu, " If that is your thought, then what of it, for that which shall cause the evil is here close at hand ?" This news was on the last Monday. Mihaka Tupanapana told them to us, and he is at the present time at the house of Mrs Hobbs. Auckland, 11th November, 1864. From Mitai P. Taui.

97

RELATIVE TO MAORI PRISONERS.