G.—3

8

Te Tuhi wrote me a letter saying that " Tawhiao was still at Hauturu, as his wife was ill from a recent confinement." 1 only mention this as showing the subterfuges adopted by the King party, and the miserable nature of their communications. I received information that a secret meeting was held that night in the Bunanga house, with closed doors, to discuss Bum's attack on me, and it was proved that it was done at the instigation of Nuku, the same as the murder of Mr. Bichard Todd. I found Te Kooti at Te Uira, and ho appeared to have considerable influence with the Ngatimaniapoto. Wahanui put nine men on guard at night to watch over my safety, and Te Kooti was not satisfied until three of his men were added to the party. Te Kooti was very friendly. I however felt a strong objection to have any intercourse with him, but he insisted on telling me his history, and detailing the wrongs which he said he had suffered at the hands of the Government, in being deported to the Chatham Islands when he was innocent of rebellion, and had fought on our side at Waerengahika. He said he would have nothing to do with the Waikatos; he believed in fighting, but not in their manner, by committing occasional murders ; that he would be guided in all things by Eewi. On the morning of the Bth May, Wahanui asked me to return to Alexandra, which I refused to do. I then requested him to go to Te Kuiti, to Tawhiao, Manuhiri, and Eewi, and urge them to see me on the Government business. I was desirous that all three should be present, as I heard the administration of affairs this year was vested in Tawhiao only. He returned in the evening with a letter from Manuhiri, telling me to go back to Alexandra. I replied to it, " I am willing to return there when I have spoken the words of the Government to you, then I will hasten back. Consent to let me speak to you and Eewi, then I will go to Alexandra." Te Ea Whakaari, who accompanied Wahanui from Te Kuiti, urged me to go, saying that the whole of the tribes had met to consider certain questions, and my being at Tokangamutu prevented them from proceeding to business. I gave him the same answer as to the others, viz., that I would not leave until I had delivered the message of the Government. I at the same time wrote to Eewi, asking him to use his influence to bring about a meeting with Tawhiao and Manuhiri, and to come to Te Uira next morning, if the answer was unfavourable. It is a curious circumstance that the man who carried the letters to Manuhiri and Eewi (a halfcaste, named Te Eoia, connected with both Waikato and Ngatimaniapoto tribes) was one of the men selected by Nuku to murder me, a fact which he acquainted me with on the morning of the 9th, when I paid him for his services in conveying the letters. He said that the whole affair was plotted by Nuku, and Kiwi, in the Kuiti Eunanga house ; that he, Euru Tana, and Puru, consented to take part in the murder the night before, but in the morning all but Euru objected, because they had no cause of quarrel with me. Eewi Maniapoto arrived at Te Uira shortly after daylight, and the following conversation tooV place between us, viz.: — Mackay —" Has Manuhiri received my letter ?" Rewi —" Yes. I took it to him last night. He will not seeyou." Mackay —" What is the answer ?" Rewi —"He will not see you." Mackay —If so, I must tell you the message I have to deliver." Rewi —" Ido not wish to hear it by myself." Mackay —" Neither do I wish to deliver it to you only, as your tribe have not committed any offence ; but I will tell you, so that you can deliver it to Manuhiri, Tawhiao, and others." This is what I was charged by the Government to say to Tawhiao, Manuhiri, and yourself. I will confine it to three questions. I had other matters to talk of, but I shall not now allude to them. Ist. This is a question. " Who instigated Purukutu to kill Sullivan at Pukekura ; was it his own act, or that of the King?" Rewi. —"l am trying to find that out now ; that is one of the matters for the consideration of tbe meeting. Mackay —2nd. " Are you willing to give up the murderers to be tried by the law ? There are seven of them concerned—Mohi Purukutu, Hori te Tumu, Whina, Herewine Ngamuka, Paora Tuhua, Wira Tarawhati, and Hohepa Motuiti.* Now, of these, two, I believe, killed the man and mutilated him. According to our law, they are all liable to be punished. Tou, however, can easily find out the two. If you will deliver them up to be tried, the Government will be satisfied. Rewi —" That is another matter for the consideration of the meeting." Mackay —3rd. "If you will not give them up properly, will you in that case stand aside, and allow the Government to take them ?" Rewi —" Let those questions bo left for the consideration of the meeting. These demands are the same as those contained in the letter of the Government which I received." Mackay —" Yes; but the Government thought it better to send me also. I had other things to say, had those questions been answered; but as they are not, I shall keep them to myself." Rewi —" I will attend to your questions, and let you know the result." Mackay —" But you may be a long time in arriving at it. I want you to fix a day when you will reply to my demands." Rewi —" The meeting will take some time, perhaps. Let me see —this is tho 9th ; perhaps by the 14th I may be able to answer." Mackay —"l do not want to hurry your answer, as long as you agree to give one. But I must have a reply, for I have heard from Te Wheoro that Ngatiraukawa say there are to be three more murders. I will give you until the 20th. You can either write to mo or the Government, or both." * Memo. —At this time seven were believed to be concerned in the murder, as Parakaia said that number had left Ngahokowhitu.