A.—No. 20.

The prisoner states that Hopa, one of the Waikato chiefs, had returned to Waikato for reinforcements and ammunition (of which they are greatly in need), and was expected back shortly. I very much regret to say that the Hauhaus have destroyed a great deal of food and other property belonging to the Arawas —in value not far from £300. On my return to Ohinemutu, I found letters from the Honorable the Defence Minister informing me of his intention to go to Wellington, and requesting my immediate return to Tauranga to receive instructions as to the course to be pursued during his absence. I left Ohinemutu yesterday morning, and reached this last evening. I have, Ac, H. T. Clarke, The Hon. the Native Minister, Wellington. Civil Commissioner.

No. 56. Copy of a Letter from Mr. Clakke to the Hon. J. C. Eichmottd. (D. 333.) Civil Commissioner's Office, Sic,— Tauranga, 12th April, 1867. I have the honor to report, for the information of the Government, that I have just returned from Eotorua, and have not time to send by this mail a full report of all that has transpired in these districts since the date of my last report. Another expedition of Volunteers and Native Contingent have been out in the direction of the cultivations destroyed by the Hauhaus, and from thence skirting the forest to Puraku, the scene of the last fight. The hostile Natives do not appear to have returned to the place since their defeat, as their dead were still lying unburied, and from information received from Waikato (through a woman who, with her husband, has just returned to Eotorua) 1o the effect that the losses of the Hauhaus were very great, Kihikihi, the ringleader of the Waikato band, and another Waikato chief) arc said to be amongst the killed. Several bodies have never been recovered. The woman also reports that the losses of the Hauhaus have had no other effect than rousing the Waikatos, and that they will be revenged. They have threatened to attack Eotorua and Tauranga at the same time. I have also to report that when absent at Eotorua alarming information was brought into this place, which, coming as it did just as the whole of the Imperial forces were being removed, created quite a panic. It was reported by Enoka and Hohepa Hikutaia that the Hauhaus were again collecting in the neighbourhood of Whakamarama. That an attack was threatened on the township of Te Papa itself as soon as the troops were removed and the enemy could assemble sufficient force for that purpose. Enoka is a man from whom we have always received correct information, and he, in the strongest language possible, begged Colonel Harrington to be on the alert, and to keep a constant watch to prevent a surprise. Information was immediately sent to me of this meditated attack, and after consulting with Colonel Harrington and Major McDonnell, it was decided that a portion of the Arawa contingent, under the Native chief Fox, should be forthwith sent for the protection of the Tauranga settlement. A force of 100 men has been left at Eotorua to act on the defensive in the event of another eruption of the enemy, which is not very improbable. I am also glad to report that the effort of Eiki and Te Pakaroa, with other Ngatihaua chiefs, to induce the Ngaiterangi to join in the disaffection have for the most part failed. Some of the hapus are reported to sympathise with the enemy, and a few individuals have left, but as a tribe they appear determined to remain quiet. Still Ido not feel justified in recommending that they should be armed with our rifles, as but few of them are committed to the side of the Government, and I consider to try the experiment would be to run a great risk. I must apologize for the very meagre report I send hy this mail, but want of time and extreme fatigue (having ridden fifty-two miles since the morning) must be my excuse. I have, &c, H. T. Clakke, The Hon. the Native Minister, Wellington. Civil Commissioner.

Vide Postcripl Report, Mar. 12, 1867, D. 326.

April 12, D. 333.

No. 57. Copy of a Letter from Mr. Clakke to the Hon. J. C. EicnMOifD. (D. 309.) Civil Commissioner's Office, Sir,— Tauranga, 24th April, 1867. In my report of date and number, quoted in the margin, sent by last mail, I had not sufficient time to enter into many points which ought to be brought under the notice of the Government. I now, therefore, do myself the honor to supplement the information conveyed in my last hastily written report. Wiremu Maihi Te Bangikaheke and Kiharoa, both nearly connected with the Puhirna Natives (Ngatirangiwewehi), represented to me that their relatives, although attached to the Maori King and Hauhaus, were opposed to the present hostile movement made by the Waikato in the Eotorua district. That they would take no part in the matter, and that it was their desire to dwell in peace at their tribal pa Puhirua. On the other hand, the Ngatiwhakane chiefs contended that the Puhirua Natives were the source of all the trouble in Eotorua. That they propagated Hauhauism ; that the notorious Kereopa was one of the tribe, and that even now many of them were actually bearing arms against the Queen's Government, and were assisting the Waikato party in desolating the country, and that it was well known that food and other supplies were also furnished to the hostile party by the same people. On these grounds they asked me to give them authority to destroy the Puhirua pa. The last request I could not agree

55

AFFAIRS AT TAURANGA.