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AGAINST THE REBEL NATIVES

39

No. 65. Major Mair to Mr. Clarke, Civil Commissioner. Sir,— Tepane, Opotiki, 25th, April 1870. I have the honor to forward copies of letters from Erueti Tamaikowha. The originals were brought to the Arawa pa, at Ohiwa, on the 22nd instant, by the son of the writer. Tamaikowha, I believe, remained at Whakarao, with about ten men, while his son'visited the Arawa, with a view to confirming the peace or truce made by Kemp. Colonel St. John started from here yesterday with about thirty men, and, taking a like number of Arawa, endeavoured to surround the Hauhaus at an early hour this morning. Tamaikowha, however, with his usual good fortune, escaped with all his party, save an old man called Tepine, who was caught and killed. Colonel St. John returned this afternoon. Tamaikowdia's son and another lad have been detained by the Arawa, but I am not aware in what manner they are to be disposed of. I have, Ac., W. G. Mair, H. T. Clarke, Esq., Civil Commissioner, Auckland. Besident Magistrate.

Enclosure in No. 65. 18th April, 1870. To Opotiki, to Kemp, to Topia, to Kawana Paipai, to Mete Kingi, —that is to say, to you all. My friends, salutations to you all. The arrangement you proposed or made with me has been made good. The Ureweras also join in that agreement or law —that is to say, if you should occupy or take possession of land within my district, then trouble will arise, or it will be a signal for fighting. Then, again, should you invade my country, Te Kooti not being within its bounds, fighting will be the consequence. The Urewera people have returned, leaving behind two hapu, who have joined him. Be on the look-out with reference to the movements of that man. Tamaikowha, Chief of the District. This is an inquiry I wish to make of you. It is with reference to Hiria (Eakuraku's wife) :Is she alive, or is she dead ? If she is dead, let me know; but if alive, let her come back with Turei now at the present time. My friends, let your good feeling be extended towards our friend (the captured woman). Let her not be detained or kept back by any person, but let her return to her friends. Tamaikowha.

Eeiend,— Opotiki, 18th April, 1870. Salutations to you ; now listen. To Kooti has not yet come within the limits of the Urewera country. Friend, listen. Tho Urewera have made a law which, if observed, will prevent trouble. That law is this: Should you, the Europeans, occupy my land, trouble will arise. Should you come within my lines, fighting will begin, for this reason that Te Kooti is not within our district, and having no cause for encroaching within our district, I should have a just cause for fighting you. My friend, take care that you do not trespass within my district, for if you do, that of itself will be a sufficient' cause for trouble between us two, the Maoris and Europeans. Now then, this is the question I am going to put to you : Where is Hiria (Eakuraku's wife) ? Is she still alive, or is she dead? If she is alive, let her be returned by you. Let her come with Turei (the writer's son). My friend, do not keep her back; do not delay, neither let any other person detain her. Erueti Tamaikowha. To Mr. Mair, who in days gone by was my fighting opponent. Friends— 18th April. 1870. This is a word which I had forgotten. With regard to the Urewera at Waikare, I have not been amongst them ; therefore I cannot speak positively as to their movements. All I can say is this, that Te Kooti will be the means of causing a division on this side, or between the Natives ; while on that side, or between us, the Europeans will be the cause of strife or division. To Wepiha, that is to say, Erueti Tamaikowha, To all the Chief's, and also to Mr. Mair. From Tawharemanuka.

No. 66. Memorandum by Mr. Clarke, Civil Commissioner, for the Native and Defence Ministee. I suemit that the action taken, and the attempt made to capture Tamaikowha and party, was hardly judicious. A. truce was concluded by Major Kepa with Tamaikowha. The latter, does not know that Kemp exceeded his powers, and that the Government could not acknowledge the terms made. It will be considered a " Kohuru," and nothing will convince the Natives to the contrary. I think means should have been taken to inform Tamaikowha that Kemp's truce could not be acknowledged. 2nd May, 1870. H. T. Claeke.