AFFAIRS AT TAURANGA.

A.—No. 20.

51

Vide T>. 217. 8-1-67.

wounded in the head, but, fortunately for him, was not stunned, he rolled himself down the hill and thus escaped a cruel death. Mr. Gr. Mair, with the three Natives, kept up a smart fire, which effectually checked the approach of the enemy, and enabled the remainder of his small force to come up. They now felt themselves sufficiently strong to take the offensive, and in half-an-hour drove the enemy from his position, with the loss of two killed. It was discovered afterwards that the Hauhaus left in such haste that they were not able to carry off one of their dead, and it does not appear that they ever returned again after their discomfiture. Lieutenant C. Pitt, of the Ist "Waikato Militia, who has been attached to the Arawa contingent, on hearing the heavy fire brought up a party of fifty men to support Mr. Gr. Mair's force, and although the march was a trying one he was enabled to bring up his party in time to render valuable assistance. The activity and courage displayed by Messrs. Pitt and Gr. Mair, on this trying occasion, is deserving of great credit. The wounded man, Mauparaoa, is doing well. On the 4th and sth, many of the Arawas who went to the assistance of their friends at Eotorua, on finding that they were sufficiently strong to cope with their enemies, returned to Tauranga. The force of Arawas now in the district amounts to 280 men. On the 6th instant, Mr. Mair, in his capacity of Judge of the Compensation Court, had to leave for Opotiki. His able services will be greatly missed. It was arranged that on the morning of the 9th the Militia, from the direction of Omanawa, should move towards the Kaimai, and the Arawa should move from Paengaroa to Te Kaki, the scene of the fight on the 3rd, and from thence to Kaimai if necessary. The Militia arrived at Kaimai at dawn of day, but found the place unoccupied. The Arawas, who had to go through a thick forest, could not start from their post till daylight; they arrived at Te Kaki an hour and a-half afterwards; this place had not been occupied apparently since the 3rd. Large and productive cultivations of potatoes and maize were found in this neighbourhood, sufficient to maintain a large force for a long time. This is said to be the position Hakaraia intends to occupy. It is one most difficult of access, and in the face of a large opposing force would be almost impregnable. On the evening of the 9th it was reported that a spy had been seen in the neighbourhood of Paengaroa; an attempt was made to pursue him, but as a deep ravine intervened between the Paengaroa Eedoubt and the place where the man was seen he escaped without much difficulty. From this circumstance it was supposed that a force of the enemy was lurking in the forest. A strong party of Arawas, under the command of Messrs. Pitt and Mair, was sent into the woods; after marching about a mile in the forest they came upon a well beaten track which, evidently from the direction it took, was the Patetere road. This road was followed up for about four miles. The tracks of a man were plainly visible, taking the dirction of Paengaroa. The search was again followed up on the 11th ; a well beaten track was discovered going into the depth of the forest: after following this up for about a mile the Arawas came upon two miserable old Natives (a man and his wife). They were in the most abject condition that can be conceived. They stated that they had been abandoned by their people on the 3rd (the day of the fight), and that they had not been visited by them since. They also stated that the last encounter was with a party of Ngatiraukawa. The old couple were brought into camp in a most exhausted condition. The Arawas returned to Paengaroa yesterday, tired and footsore. Mr. Mainwaring, E.M., Waikato, despatched two policemen to Tauranga, with a letter acquainting me with the Native movements on the other side of the ranges (copy of letter enclosed). The information this letter contains is anything but satisfactory. The information I have received from Eotorua is important. In the absence of any official report, I enclose an abstract from a private letter from Dr. Nesbitt, and one of several letters received from the Arawa. From these letters lam led to believe that a force is assembling near Puhirua, but I believe the numbers are exaggerated. Hans Tapsall arrived from Eotorua this evening, and he states that there is not a doubt about the Hauhaus, being in strong force, and that their intention is to attack on two or three points at the same time. The Ohinemutu Natives have built three pas for the protection of their women and children. I have, <&c., H. T. Clarke, The Hon. the Native Minister, Wellington. Civil Commissioner. P.S.—l3th March. A letter from Ngatupara and Kahukote, two disaffected Natives, driven from Whakamarama, to their connections amongst the Ngaiterangi, has just been put into my hands (a translation is hereunto attached). I have carefully compared this letter with Mr. Mainwaring's (Enclosure No. 1). I have scored that part of Mr. Mainwaring's letter to which I refer. It would appear from Ngatupara's letter that Wi Taua (Thompson's son) is using his endeavours to draw away the Natives who have remained quiet. It would also appear that Mr. Mainwaring's informant (Te Pakaroa) as to the intentions of Matutaera is also the confidant of the disaffected Natives. I will forward a copy of Ngatupara's letter to Mr. Commissioner Maekay for his information. Great cauton is necessary in the selection of proper persons to obtain correct information. I have been informed that Te Pakaroa is a staunch Hauhau, and it could hardly be expected that he would reveal anything detrimental to the cause. Since this letter has arrived in the district those of the Ngaterangi* (Pune Taka's own hapu) who have hitherto remained quiet, have gone with their women and children. H. T. Claeke. * The Ngaterangi hapu is a very small one, and must not be confused with the Ngaiterangi tribe. —H.T.C.