9

H.—29a

1. On or about the 11th August, after a conversation about the " Vivid" schooner between Ihaka and Mr. "Watt, in which Mr. Worgan interpreted, Mr. "Watt paid Ihaka a cheque for £342. 2. Ihaka and Mr. "Worgan go to the bank. Ihaka requests Mr. Worgan to transact the business, as he does not understand it. The cheque is paid in and Mr. Worgan gives Ihaka three pieces of paper, which Ihaka supposes to be some sort of bank acknowledgment. 3. Mr. Worgan returns to Wairoa; afterwards Ihaka passes through Wairoa. Mr. Worgan obtains his signature to this curious document, Ihaka says, by telling him that 4 per cent, interest (at which Ihaka understood his money to have been deposited in his own name) was too little ; that 10 per cent, was the proper interest, which Mr. AVorgan would give him from the bank, if he would sign the paper dated Wairoa, August 22 (or 23), 1864. " Kia mohio ai nga-tangata katoa kua tukua ne (sic} ahau te tikanga mo aku inoni c noho aua i te ti Poke £312 ki a Teoti Wakana, maua te whakaaro kite ara kia whiwhi ai au i tetahi utu mo te takotoranga o aua moni. " Ihaka Wiianga. " Witness —(Signed) Mate Scott." " Know all men that I havo delivered to G-. W. the disposal of my money in the bank, £342. It is for him to devise how I may receive interest for those moneys for six months." 4. On arriving at Mahia, Ihaka shows his papers to Pakehas : they prove to be a cheque for £200 post-dated February 11th, 1865 ; one for £142, post-dated February 11th, 1865, and one for £7 155., dated February 11th, 1864, all signed by Worgan. Being informed that these papers signify that the money is absolutely in Mr. Worgan's control and power, he takes alarm and sends to me. 5. Mr. Campbell, Hirini, Hamuera, and I, go to Mr. Worgan. Mr. Worgan asserts that the money was lodged in his own (Mr. Worgan's) name at Ihaka's express request, and to suit his convenience. That he can show the banker's deposit acknowledgment for six months, and Ihaka's written consent to Mr. Worgan holding the money for six months in his own name. 6. Being pressed, he shows the curious document given above, but then says the banker's acknowledgment is in the bank at Napier. 7. Accepting (on supposition) his own account, I pointed out his extreme imprudence ; the annoyance to me of complaints constantly brought to mo against him, owing to his habit of mixing himself up with other people's affairs ; and imperatively demanded that in future he confine himself to the business of his office. The next morning Mr. Worgan sent the letter I forward. That day, Saturday, I went to Mahia to see Ihaka. 3ir. Worgan was going with Messrs. Eiddell; I urged him to go with me and Mr. Campbell, see Ihaka together, and make all clear. He agreed ;at the last moment he refuses, though urged by me and Mr. Campbell and reasoned with, alleging bis infant's illness. He said he would follow next day. He did not, and on my return to-day alleged his wife's illness. 9. I saw Ihaka in presence of Messrs. Campbell and Maoris at Te Mahia. He gives a very consistent account, apparently in a most frank and truthful manner, admitting where Mr. Worgan was right, acknowledging himself doubtful on some minor points, but holding fast to all I have stated, and persisting in the graveness of his charge, that neither in the bank nor at Wairoa had he the least idea that he was handing over the money to Mr. Worgan, or letting it go out of his own name. 10. I beg to remark that, by his own account, Mr. Worgan has been guilty of such inconceivable folly and imprudence in lodging £342 belonging to a Maori chief (one of a race shrewd, suspicious, yet childishly ignorant of banking business) in his own name, knowing himself to be a penniless man, — of such gross imprudence that he has shown himself utterly unfit for so responsible an office as that of interpreter, humble though it be. If on the other hand Ihaka's account be true, I shrink from using language strong enough to characterize such treacherous deceit. I hope to come into town, but write for the sake of greater certainty. May I beg that you will send me your decision at your earliest convenience. The affair is creating much excitement amongst the Natives of Nuhak.i and Te Mahia. I enclose a copy of Mr. Worgan's letter to Ihaka in answer to Ihaka's charge. I have, &c, The Civil Commissioner. C. Hotter Beown, E..M.

Enclosure 3 in No. 16. Mr. C. H. Beows- to Mr. (x. B. Woegan. Sib, — Civil Commissioner's Office, Napier, 15th September, 1864. I am desired by the Civil Commissioner to inform you that, in consequence of certain charges made against you by the Native chief and Assessor Ihaka Whanga, and with which charges you have been made acquainted through me, that you are suspended from your office of Native Interpreter until you have satisfactorily cleared yourself of such charges. And the Civil Commissioner requests me to point out to you the urgent necessity, for your own character's sake, for your promptly exerting yourself to the utmost to adjust this matter to Ihaka'a satisfaction. I have, &c, C. Hunter Beown, G-. B. Worgan, Esq. Eesident Magistrate, Wairoa.

Enclosure 4 in No. 16. Mr. G. B. Woegan to Mr. C. H. Beown. Bib,— Te Huatu, 19th September, 1864. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of this day, and in reply to state that on Saturday last I had an interview with the chief Ihaka Whanga, in the presence of Messrs2—H. 29a.