G.—3

1882. NEW ZEALAND.

ASSEMBLING OF NATIVES AT PARIHAKA ON THE 17TH APRIL, 1882 (COPIES OF TELEGRAMS RELATIVE TO THE).

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

Bieutenant-Colonel Robeets to the Hon. Mr. Beyce. Opunake, 13th April, 1882.—Hon. Mr. Bryce, Wellington.—Seven Natives from Omuturangi, with two dray-loads of pork for Parihaka, arrived at Opunake this evening. The Natives had a pass signed by Captain Good for Hone Piharna. I had them stopped on account of their having supplies for Parihaka, and told them that I would not allow them to proceed without your authority. —J. M. Robeets, Bieut.-Colonel.

The Hon. Mr. Beyce to Lieutenant-Colonel Robeets. Wellington, 13th April, 1882. —Colonel Roberts, Opunake.- —Toil are perfectly right. Natives must be prevented from taking supplies to Parihaka, which would give an excuse for reviving and attending the monthly meetings. I have no objections to carts going to the Parihaka Block for supplies, as there is a superabundance there ; but taking supplies to Parihaka is in every way objectionable, and must be stopped. Please have this explained to the Natives with the carts, as it is not unlikely that they may wish to get potatoes from Parihaka. —John Beyce.

Lieut.-Colonel Robeets to the Hon, Mr. Beyce. Pungaeehu, 14th April, 1882.—Hon. Mr. Bryce, Wellington.—Natives who were not allowed to go to Parihaka with pork said that they would be ashamed to go there with empty drays, and would therefore not go for potatoes. —J. M. Robeets, Lieut.-Colonel.

Lieut.-Colonel Robeets to the Hon. Mr. Beyce. Pungaeehu, 16th April, 1882. —Hon. Mr. Bryce, Wellington. —No news. Shall be at Parihaka to-morrow in case of anything taking place.—J. M. Robeets, Lieut.-Colonel.

Lieut.-Colonel Roberts to the Hon. Mr. Beyce. Paeihaka, 17th April, 1882, 8.50 a.m. —Hon. Mr. Bryce, Wellington. —Natives held a hurried meeting in the old marae at dawn, and some of them were heard from the camp addressing the meeting, but before Major Goring could take any steps to stop it they dispersed. About eight hundred were present. Food was not taken to the marae, but they had it shortly afterwards at the whares. Messenger was at Parihaka yesterday, and neither saw nor heard any indication of a meeting. Messenger is now in the settlement trying to find out what took place. —J. M. Robeets, Lieut.Colonel.

Lieut.-Colonel Robeets to the Hon. Mr. Beyce. Pabihaka, 17th April, 1882, 9.35 a.m. —Hon. Mr. Bryce, Wellington. —Natives assembling in marae, distributing food. Have stopped their doing so, and have had it carried away. Have sent to Newr.ll Road for sixty men, and twenty-five from Pungarehu, in case they should be required.—J. M. Robeets, Lieut.-Colonel.