G.—6b

(o) On reaching the pah, Mr. Reay produced the plan and notices, which, however, Paramatta would not look at, but they were inspected and read by the other Natives, among whom were several from Massacre Bay, who had arrived during Mr. Reay's absence. Paramatta repeated his assertions about the plan being a fraud, and the disallowance of the Commissioner's award on the other side of the strait. Three young Natives had accompanied Mr. Reay, and, on their return, gave an exaggerated account of our force, telling their fellows that we were 1,000 strong, a mis-statement which will probably tend to increase the effect of our demonstration. (p) Our party returned to Nelson in the evening, having been 12 hours under arms, in a very hot day, during which they behaved in an extremely orderly manner. Before their dismissal the nucleus of a permanent volunteer force was formed, which will, I believe, be very generally joined, the late alarm having brought forcibly before the minds of the settlers the unprotected condition in which they are. (q) the Governor and Council have distinctly declined acting in obedience to Lord Stanley's recent instructions to embody a militia, the settlers see that they must take steps to afford themselves that protection which Government denies them ; and I cannot help feeling that it is my duty to assist them as far as possible in a proceeding so necessary and so much in accordance with the wishes of the Home Government, even though it may place me in opposition to the local authorities. (r) Aggressions such as these above recorded are of too serious a character to be trifled with, and I am satisfied that it is only by our facing the aggressors on their first appearance that we can hope to check them. This outbreak of Paramatta's is the first we have been subjected to since the Commissioner's award, and I believe that the promptitude with which the settlers have met his attempt to extort further payments (for that is his sole object) will go far to prevent a recurrence of such annoyances in this settlement. The movement has also had a visible effect in inspiring confidence in the settlers, many of whom by the unhappy result of the Wairau, and the continually recurring reports of unchecked Native aggression in the Northern Island, had acquired a feeling of awe for the aborigines, which I do not believe that their real prowess by any means justifies. (s) The few expenses attending the expedition have been borne by voluntary subscription. Hoping that the course I have pursued will meet with your approbation. I have, &c., William Fox, Resident Agent. Colonel William Wakefield, Principal Agent, New Zealand Company, Wellington. 144. Copy of letter from William Fox, Esq., Resident Agent of the New Zealand Company at Nelson, to Colonel Wakefield :— Nelson, January 28th, 1845. Sie, — Referring you to my despatch of 25th January, 1845 (No. 56), relating to a Native aggression, and the means adopted by me to repress it, I have now to inform you that on Saturday last, H.M. ship " Hazard " arrived here, on her way from Wanganui to Wellington, and yesterday morning Major Richmond, accompanied by the Police Magistrate of this place, Mr. Forsaith, the Government Interpreter, and myself, visited Whakapuaka in one of the boats of that vessel. We found Paramatta at his pah. At first he obstinately persisted in his assertions that he had not sold the valley, and that the plan shown him was a forgery. He was then invited to accompany us to the boundary-line, but refused, on which we took with us his brothers, Emanu and Etera, with one or two other Natives, to whom we showed the line, and Mr. Forsaith informed them that the Government would maintain it as laid down. On returning to the pah we found Paramatta's tone altered, and, after a little more conversation, perceiving that his followers did not coincide with his view of the case, he yielded and gave a solemn pledge to abide by the boundary laid down by me and confirmed by Government. Major Richmond informed him that for the present his housebreaking and robbery would be overlooked, but that they would be kept hanging over his head, and if he did not keep faith respecting the boundary, "he would be punished for those offences. He wished he had made compensation for the acts alluded to, but it was considered prudent to keep the charge against him alive as a security for his good behaviour. I trust that the result of these measures will be to put an entire end to all troubles with the Natives in Blind Bay. I have, &c., William Fox, Resident Agent. Colonel William Wakefield, Principal Agent, New Zealand Company, Wellington. 145. It can safely be assumed that William Fox in reporting this matter within ten days of its happening would (1) be sure of his facts and (2) would not be disposed to gloss over in any way the conduct of Paremata. The whole affair might fairly be described as follows :— 146. Paremata, the Chief of the Whcihctpuctkct Pa, warned the settlers on the Nelson portion of Spain s award, which adjoined Whakapuaka, that if they did not quit he would destroy their houses and themselves, but did not put his threats into effect. The next day he was interviewed by the Police Magistrate and his Interpreter, Mr. Tinline. Paremata denied having sold this valley, and assaulted Mr. Tinline and Mr. Jollie (a settler) whose crops and houses had been endangered (but not harmed) by the (camp ?) fires of the party the night before. Eventually Paremata promised to stay proceedings for a fortnight in order that the Magistrate might produce evidence of the sale and Commissioner's award. It seems clear that Paremata's difficulty in reconciling the settlement with land sold could have been to a great extent eaused by the fact that although the Nelson portion of Spain's award was

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