A—No. 20.

PAPERS RELATIVE TO

42

Jan. 11, 1867.

P. 297, Jan. 8.

the measures of the Government. Do you hearken. If evil should come to this place, Tauranga will cease not to support all measures imposed by the Government. That is all. Your friend, To Mr. Halse, Wellington. Hohepa Hikutaia.

No. 48. Statement of Te Eau, a Native of Ngatihaugarauhapu. Ox Friday last I went to one of our settlements at Pacngaroa from Peterchama. I was accompanied by Nikora Piparnia and Te Aniwa. On our arrival at the Paengaroa settlement, we found that the Hauhaus had arrived the day before. They consisted of N gatiporou, Ngatirangi, and Te Piriraakau— there were about twenty-four in number. The principal Natives in charge or concerned with the party was Te Popata, chief of the Ngatiporou. The other Natives recognised were Te Kcwene of the Nga'tiporou, Pene Taka, AViremu Kairiha of the Ngatirangi, and Tupara, Hunia Te Hiriwhare and TePokai. Soon as we arrived we were saluted by the Hauhaus. Te Kewene afterwards got up and said, "Welcome my friends, welcome —come up to us and join cur standard —come with all your people and Ngaiterangi tribe from amongst the white men —come to iis that you may bo saved." One of our party called Nikora then rose and said—" I have listened to what you have had to say, but having been deceived before by you, I shall not now consent. I have also seen the evils which have arisen since the first introduction of this new religion—instance the murders of Volkner, Fulloon, and others. What I have to say to you is go —go back to your own settlements to your own tribes, cease to bring evil amongst this tribe (meaning Ngatirangi), we are quiet and peaceable disposed, but people like you are disseminating the seeds of disaffection strife and ruin amongst our people ; for that reason I say go back to your own people and leave us alone." Nikora then turned round to Penetaka and said " How is it that you who, after the war in Tauranga had ceased, was so anxious to make peace yourself, and also to persuade me and others to do so ? What is it that now tempts you, after all these professions of peace, now at this hour to join a band of men whose designs are all evil, and which are contrary to law and peace. He then concluded by stating what Mr. Clarke had said relative to the present conduct and proceedings of Penetaka, which, if persisted in, would cause the law to press hard, and remind him of the assurances which he made when peace was declared. Penetaka then got up and said —" I have listened to all what you have had to say, and now fearlessly state to you that I have made up my mind to fight." Nikora then said —" If you have made up your mind to fight go to your own place Te Tirihanga, and the bush, leave the Kopu, Te Waki, Paengaroa, Tc Tauniati, they are our lands —as for Oropi, I do not know anything about it, that is for you and Hakaraia." Te Kewene then got up and said—" Cease speaking, sit down and be silent; from this day I declare. war. I shall not respect these places which you have named, they being within my prescribed boundaries." He then (Kewene) took up his gun and said "If you had been here on Monday last I would have killed you with it. The reason why I don't consent to kill you to-day is that I have allowed this time for consideration of the Ngaiterangi to ascertain whether they intend joining us or not. If you now say anything more I will instantly kill you. After Tuesday we shall commence tofight and carry out our object." Te Kau declares that he saw two Europeans supposed to be soldiers, who are prisoners. They are wearing serge clothing, the red stripe has partially been torn or cut away. One of them had an enlargement on the side of his face. Their hair had been cut very close. Civil Commissioner's Office, Tauranga, 13th January, 18G7. Mr. Warbrick interpreting.

No. 49. Copy of a Letter from Mr. Clabke to tlio Hon. J. C. Bichhoxd. (D. SOS.) Civil Commissioner's Office, Sih, — Tauranga, 2Sth January, 1867. In continuation of my report, date and number as per margin, 1 hare the honor to acquaint you with what has transpired since then up to the present time. On the 14th instant when at To Botoiti (videD. 299, 9th January) I received letters stating that the Hon. the Minister for Colonial Defence was at Tauranga, and required my immediate presence. I directly took my departure, without having completed the object of my visit, arriving at Tauranga the same evening. I found the Natives in a state of much excitement, and was informed that the Hauhaus intended making an attack upon us the following day. The enclosed letters of warning to friendly Natives, from Hauhau relatives, were put into my hands by Ranapia and others immediately upon my arrival. 1 also beg, at the same time, to enclose extracts of letters from Mr. J. A. "Wilson, Special Commissioner at Opotiki, reporting rumours amongst Natives of that district. On the morning of the day of my return to Tauranga a Native brought me information that the Hauhau Natives, living at Oropi, had built a largo whare on the undisputed confiscated land, about two miles from the Waimapu ford, for the purpose of accommodating a large party of hostile Natives. This house, he said, was built by instructions received from Hakaraia, of Te Puke, and that Tauranga would be attacked on the following day (vide last report). He also stated that another large whare was to be built at Kahakaharoa, for a like purpose. Kahakaharoa is also situated on undisputed confiscated land. The Hon. Colonel Haultain, with a force of Militia and Volunteers, under Colonel Harrington,