AEEAIRS AT TAURANGA.

67

A.—No. 20.

Tauranga, and from him I gathered the following information:—At Omaruapu (Patetere) they mot with Wiremu Maihi Te Ngaru, a chief of the Ngatiraukawa, who, with his son, had just returned from Tokangamutu, the residence of the Maori King. He had been there to conduct Hakaraia te Mahaki. Wiremu Maihi informed Hans Tapsell that the King had given orders that hostilities be suspended for eight months ; that all his adherents were to turn their attention to preparing the soil for crops ; that all fighting was to cease everywhere ; that all hostile Natives were to withdraw from Tauranga and not to commence hostilities again without his orders. Maihi also reported that at the end of eight months lighting was to re-commence in Tauranga only, and that no hostile movement was to bo made upon Eotorua ; that the King had sent messengers to different parts of the island to assemble a great meeting at Tokangamutu. The questions to be discussed, it is said, are those I have stated above, and to determine whether it would not be expedient to abolish the Tekaumarua (the twelve), as they have proved a failure, and to re-establish the old system of fighting by tribes, &c, <fee. This information I believe to be correct, as Te Puru and Te Kuka, the Tauranga chiefs, through whom I obtain the most reliable information, have told me that all the hostile Natives have left this district; that the Ngatiporou have retired behind the watershed range between this and the Thames, where they intend to cultivate. The Pirirakau have also returned to Okauia. Eawiri and some of the principal men are gone to Tokangamutu to the great meeting. Under these circumstances I do not see the necessity of keeping the Arawa here, even upon rations only. It is my intention to send them all home in a day or two, without waiting for further orders from Wellington. Would you be good enough to acquaint the Honourable the Defence Minister of this. I herewith transmit Mr. Resident Magistrate Mair's report of the raid made upon the Opotiki Military Settlers on the morning of the 21st May. Since the above report was written, 1 have received a very hasty private letter from Mr. Mair, conveying information which I have considered necessary to send to the Government at once. I have therefore taken the liberty of sending an extract from this letter rather than wait for Mr. Mair's official report, which shall be forwarded as soon as I receive it. I would also state that a party of Urewera were met on their way to tho great meeting at Tokangamutu. I purpose going in to Eotorua on the 26th instant, to close, as far as practicable, all financial accounts for the present year. I have, &c, H. T. Clabke, The Hon. the Native Minister, Wellington. Civil Commissioner.

Enclosure 1 in No. 67. Copy of a Letter from Mr. Maib to Mr. Clabke. Sii:,~ Opotiki, 27th May, 1867. I have the honor to inform you that the Hauhaus have again made their appearance in this district, and that there is every reason to believe that two men named Moore and Begg have been murdered by them. It appeal's that four military settlers named Livingston, Wilkinson, Moore, and Begg, lived in a hut at Waiwcka, between four and five miles from camp. On tho morning of the 21st instant, a body of about twenty armed Natives were seen approaching. The men at once seized their rifles and retired to a hill in rear of the hut, pursued by the Natives, who fired several volleys. The Europeans did not return a shot. Upon reaching the crest of the hill the men separated, Livingston and Wilkinson turning towards camp, which they reached about four p.m., and Moore and Begg going towards the ranges. The latter are still missing, and as a number of shots were heard by their comrades after they parted company, there can bo no doubt but that they fell into the hands of the enemy, who appear to have returned to the hut, which they plundered and burnt. The ground has been carefully examined, but no trace of the men has been found. It is not known by what Natives this outrage was perpetrated, nor the object which induced them to leave their fastnesses at this inclement season, but in all probability they were a part of the Whakatohea from the Waiaeka Gorge seeking utu for their chiefs Pirihaki and Paora Nohoa, who died from wounds received in the skirmish at Waiaua on the 4th April last. Eakuraku and his people have left the Waimana and are building a pa on the island of Holdanga at Ohiwa. I purpose visiting them in the course of a few days. I am of opinion that Eakuraku knows far more of the intentions of the Hauhaus than he ever imparts to me. I hope, however, upon this occasion to extract some information, and shall communicate the same without delay. Major St. John has placed a detachment of one officer and twenty-five men in the Eedoubt at Waioeka. I have, &c, W. Gr. Maib, The Civil Commissioner, Tauranga. Eesident Magistrate.

. Enclosure 2 in No. 67. Extract from a private Letter from Mr. Maib to Mr. Claeke. Sin,— Opotiki, sth June, 1867. ****** I left Opotiki yesterday afternoon, and to-day went as far as the mill (Whakataue). I have picked up a good deal of news about which I will write fully from Opotiki. I have heard that the two missing men are still alive; it appears that upon tho arrival at Maraitai of the morehu (refugees) from Waiaua, they proposed to take revenge at Opotiki, but Hira te Popo