ZEALAND TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE.

67

A.—No. la.

Under these circumstances I have deemed it right to make the best preparations in my power for the safety and security of the district, and have taken the following means for that purpose. It must be remembered that a large and straggling population exists outside the locality in which the Hau Haus are now encamped, and that any movement on our part without due precautions being taken for the safety or removal of those settlers would bring about disastrous results. The steps which I have taken, and which I now beg to report, are as follows: —I have called out the Militia and Volunteers, and am causing them to meet daily in order that if required they may be at once available. Major Miller, of the 12th Eegiment, has kindly offered, under the circumstances, to march to Napier thirty out of the forty-five men who occupy the stockade at Waipaoa Mate. The object in bringing these men down is to secure an efficient guard for the magazine and the barracks, Town of Napier, the magazine having been especially named by the Hau Haus as one of the chief objects of their expedition. I have ordered Major Fraser into Napier with the Military Settlers under his command now stationed at the Wairoa. His force will probably number about forty-five men. I have called upon the Chief Ihaka Whanga, of Table Cape, and Kopu, of the "Wairoa, to come down with such forces as they can muster, and I have arranged with a steamer accidentally here to proceed this afternoon to the Wairoa and Table Cape to convey these forces to Napier. They will probably arrive to-morrow. In addition to these forces there are the resident Natives, who are eager and willing to carry out any instructions that may be given them, and who muster probably 200 men, although few of them have ever seen any service and are badly armed, while the enemy is reported to have arms of the best description. It will be seen that by to-morrow night, if these measures are successful, a force will be collected with which I trust to be able to deal conclusively with the intruding Hau Haus, which I trust may be done without bloodshed, for able as I shall then be to surround them with an infinitely superior force, I trust to obtain their submission, and by that means to absolutely crush out the danger which at present menaces the district. The expense involved in these preparations will be small, and I trust will be considered slight as compared with the results which will be obtained, if an attempt such as the present is decisively met and at once successfully settled. Trusting that the measures I have had to report will meet the approval of the Grovernment, and regretting the necessity which has in my opinion rendered them necessary. I am, &c, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. Donaid McLean.

Enclosures. Friends, — Napier, sth October, 1866. I have heard from Te Moananui and Te Hapuku the statement made by you that it was my letter which brought you to Petane. If the Bangihiroa were one of your number, and you were coming to abandon evil proceedings, then it would be understood that your intentions were for peace, and in accordance with my letter. lam not yet clear whether this expedition of yours is intended for evil or for good. Therefore I say go back to your own homes ; and when you visit Heretaunga do so in a proper manner when you are invited, and with intentions of peace, that what you mean may be known to us and the Chiefs of Heretaunga. It is not right that you should go to Pawhakairo. Our thoughts and those of the Chiefs of Heretaunga are one. From your friend, To Panapa and friends, Te Bapaki. D. McLean.

To Mb. McLean,— Te Eapaki, sth October, 1866. "We have received your letter brought by Noa and Edward (Mr. Hamlin) ; we see that you are asking Tes. Do you listen, Peace is a property and evil is also a property. This is the answer to your question : Our thought is that we have not yet been judged by you and the chiefs, since while •we were on the road we were sent back by you. Now talking is at an end. To Mr. McLean. From us all.

Friends, — Napier, sth October, 1866. I am at a loss to know the meaning of the one sentence in your letter which speaks of the knowledge which I and the Chiefs possess. I do not know what this means, and I wish you to explain it. From your friend, To Panapa and his friends, Eapaki. Te Makarini.

To Me. McLean— Te Eapaki, sth October, 1866. Saluting you. This is the word to you: You have already known, and so also have the Chiefs of Heretaunga. Na Matoa Kotoa.

To Me. McLean,— Te Papaki, sth October, 1866. Friend, saluting you. This is the word into your long searching as to the meaning of that sentence. This is your word : That we should come here, and throw off the foolish god. From us all.