A—No. 20.

38

PAPERS RELATIVE TO

mends their going a distance from this place. Other friendly Natives have also been warned to withdraw themselves from all contact with us. This morning I have heard that these Ngateporu Hauhaus were the bearers of a letter from the King to Hakaraia, the purport of the letter is reported to be as follows: —"This sick man has recovered, he will soon move his feet, the sword is unsheathed." Hakaraia is said to have acquiesced, and that we are to be attacked on the 15th instant. All the surveys are at a standstill. Ido not think it safe for the surveyors to go on with their work, unless under the protection of a sufficient armed party. Covering parties of soldiers or Militia cannot be obtained without the sanction of His Excellency the Governor. His Excellency strictly charged me on a late occasion that neither troops nor Militia should be employed on such service, without his approval having been first obtained. Covering parties of Natives could be procured, should the Government so order. As may be expected, from what I have reported above, there is great excitement amongst the friendly Natives ; application has been made to me for firearms, which I have hitherto declined to supply. I have promised that when the emergency does arise that I will assist them as far as lies in my power. I shonld have stated before that I was absent at Taupo, with His Excellency the Governor, when the surveyors were driven in. I have, &c, The Hon. the Native Minister, H. T. Claeke, "Wellington. Civil Commissioner.

Enclosure 1 in No. 45. Extract from a Letter from Mr. Claeke to the Hon. J. C. Richmond. (D. 267.) Civil Commissioner's Office, Sic,— Tauranga, 25th October, 186 G. ********* Harawira, a young chief of some note, came to me last week and warned me not to allow any surveyors to go to the north side of Te Wairoa, as they would certainly be murdered. He informed me that he held personal communication with a party of Natives headed by a Native named Ropata, of the Ngatiporou (East Cape). He states that Ropata abruptly addressed him to the following effect: —" Keep your ears listening, and don't be startled if you hear great news." This led Harawira to question him closely, and Ropata stated that five of his companions were from Taranaki, that they had been sent to murder any surveyors they could find at work on any confiscated land. In consequence of this information the Natives engaged in the surveying parties left their work. I have, &c, H. T. Claeke, The Hon. the Native Minister, "Wellington. Civil Commissioner.

Enclosure 2 in No. 45. Extract from a Letter from Mr. Clarke to the Hon. J. C. Richmond. (D. 276.) Civil Commissioner's Office, Sic, — Tauranga, 12 th November, 1866. ■■:• # * * # ■ * # • The reports that have been brought in as to the support likely to be afforded to the Pirirakau have been very much exaggerated. The only Natives who have yet responded to the call are the Ngatiporou and Taranaki party referred to by me in my letter of the 25th ultimo, No. 267, headed by Ropata, and Kewene, a Taranaki. This party passed through some of the Native settlements to-day armed, and are supposed to have reached their destination this evening. I have, &c, H. T. Claeke, The Hon. the Native Minister, "Wellington. Civil Commissioner.

Enclosure 3 in No. 45. Extract from a Letter from Mr. Mackat to the Hon. J. C. Richmond. Civil Commissioner's Office, Sib,— • Tauranga, 22nd November, 18GG. News was brought in that the Twelve Apostles being unable to attack the survey party on the 12th instant, intended to murder the surveyors employed between Waimapu and Te Wairoa. I sent a message warning them to return to Te Papa until other arrangements could be made. I have, &c, James Mackat, Jun., The Hon. the Native Minister, "Wellington. Civil Commissioner.

Enclosure 4 in No. 45. Copy of a Letter from Mr. Skeet to Mr. Claeke. (No. 123.) Snt,— Tauranga, 31st December, 18G6. I have the honor to inform you that Mr. Graham's survey party were yesterday warned to