Parliamentary Papers.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 11, Issue 863, 3 August 1867, Page 3

Parliamentary Papers.

RELATIVE TO STATEMENTS. MADE BY COL. WEARE, C,B. . No. 1. Copy of a despatch from the Right hon. Edioard Cardwell, M.P, to Governor Sir George Grey, K.C.B. (Confidential.) ! Downing-st., March 26, 1866. Sin,— l enclose tho copy of a letter which I have found myself most reluctantly obliged to address to. the War Office, I think it necessary to, .communicate to. you Confidentially the allegation: it contains, that General Chute had declare,*! thatthoColonial Government did' not want "; the expense of prisoners. '■ It is due to Colonel Weare that I should repeat to you what is stated in the letter addressed by my directions to the War Office, that it was nofc at his_ desire that the statements made by him in a private letter were communicated to me. I rely on you to take care that every effort shall be made by the officers and men of Her Majesty's Colonial Forces to secure the observance of all the humane usages of civilized warfare so 1 long as # any military operations continue ; and thafc more especially now, when the services of the friendly natives are rendered so available on the side of order. I have &c., Edward Cardwell. Governor Sir George Grey, K.C.B. Enclosure in No. 1. Sir F. Rogers to Sir E. Lngard. Downing Street, 20th March, 1866. Sir,~l am directed by Mr. Cardwell to state, for the information of Lord Hartington, that he has be.en informed that officers serving on the West Coast of NewZealand have received a semi-official notification through the Staff of General Chute that the General does not wish any prisoners to be taken, and that the General himself has stated that the Colonial Government does not want the expense of prisoners . Two particular cases are alleged in whicli Maoris havo been deliberately put to death in presumed compliance with this notification. The one case was that of a wounded man shot by soldiers of the, 14th, after an officer had directed that he should be left alone. The othor was the case of an old man who was shot after having been taken and" feasted with an old. woman who escaped. It is also stated that barbarities are perpetrated by the Native allies with tho knowledge of our troops — two Natives, it is said, having been thrown on a fire, one alive, after being disembowelled, the other after his head had been cut off. These statements are mado on the authority, of letters received . from Colonel Weare, now commanding the 50th Regi-ment,-though not communicated by his wish or permission. It appears to Mr. Cardwell that such allegations proceeding from such a quarter call for serious in-T-wry- ' ti * ■ -I have, &c, F; Rogers. Sir E. Lugard, K.C.B. No. 2. Copy of a despatch from Governor Sir George Grey, X.C.8., to (lie Right Hon, Edward Cardwell. M.P. [Separate,] Government House, Wollington, Juno 13, 1866. Sir,—T have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your confidental despatch of the 26th March last, upon the subject of barbarities stated to have been committed by Her Majesty's Forces under MajorGeneral Chute, and by our Native Allies, in the district of country lying between Wanganui and Taranaki. 2. I have first to state that I never, directly or indirectly, informed any one that the Colonial Government did not want the expense of prisoners. On the only occasion when I was present at opera- , tions during which we had an opportunity of faking prisoners, fifty-seven prisoners were taken. Their lives were all spared, and they were treated with humanity and kindness. 3. I have twice since heard reports of prisoners having been put to death. 4. On one occasion 1 saw a statement in some local newspaper, that the troops under Major-General Chute had shot a prisoner who' was said to have been known to be the murderer of a soldier. I immediately called the attpntion of the Minister for Colonial Defence to the subject. He informed me that I might make my mind quite easy regarding it ; because he had been informed that it had been intended to execute this prisoner ; but the Superintendent of the Province of Wellington, who was present with the General, hearing what" it was intended to do, spoke to the General on. the subject, who immediately sent orders that the man's life should bo spared. 5. Since I have received your confidential despatch I have again spoken on this matter with the Minister for Colonial Defence, who tells me that he subsequently heard that the General's ordors arrived too late, not reaching the place until the man had been executed. 6. This is all I know in relation to this subject. My ignorance regarding it is undoubtedly to be attributed, to the fact .--of the War Department receiving, communications from their officers, even of a confidential nature, reflecting on myself, without such communications having been made laiown to me ; and to the system, then very naturally adopted by the Military Authorities in this. country, of making most meagre reports to myself of their proceedings, and refusing or neglecting to furnish mo with copies of their reports to the Secretary of State for War. I have thus been deprived of that authority which lawfully belonged to me, 'and which tho safety of Her Majesty's, subjects required I should be allowed to execute. . 7. The second case in which I heard of prisoners being put to death, was that_of two prisoners on the East Coast, tried and shot by our nativo allies. I found that this had been done from an. official report) made by an officer of the" colonial forces who accompanied the Native Force. I called the attention of the. Minister for Colonial Defence to the subject. The government wrote me a strong memorandum regarding it, and I issued orders tothe nativo chiefs •positively to abstain from sitch-proceedmgs

" l^ n^ late> "*B>B>inma£*Mßß!)*-i**-iiro '"XI XX.. ' Xyr^'XX'XfiXfrXyX Pf.:.:~f for, the future,7boinfciiig- out to. them that the power of. fife and death over the Q,ueen ? s subjects was..' vested in the Govornor alone, and that no person could be put id doath in New -Zealand without my assent to his ox^cufcioii having been previously obtained. Since that time large numbers of! prisoners have been taken on the East Coast, been well treated. 8. I have! hesird uo'-othcr allegations of acts of cruelty in New Zealand, except in the. attack fciade on. the Nativo Mission Village of RangiaohiaV': by the European Forces under General' Cameron, ono Sunday morning . (gist. February, 1864.) I heard' with sorrow- those reports, but for the reasons I have ' before stated I could not tell whether they:-werc true or nofc, and I was quito satisfied that, if true, they were accidental, and: took place under excitement, arid formed, no part of a system, but that they would :li6( as much regretted by the officers and men of the forces as by myself. ' . 'X:.'X ' . .9. I at present entirely disbelieve the barbarities' stated by Weare, commanding the 50th Regiment, to have been perpetrated upon the'Vtfest Coast of this Island. Colonel Wea-re either believed that they were, or were' not being perpetrated. If he believed; .they were being perpetrated, it was hisvdiity to havo reported tlie fact to me,. ;; thai I might havo instantly interfered to prevent the continuance of such barbarities, instead of reporting thes<? in a private letter to some unknown correspondent \ in England, so that I did not hear of the circumstance until more 'thjn five months had elapsed, •when any interference oh my part was impossible. If Colonel Weare. did not believe that the barbarities were being committed, then it was equally wrong of him to . make such statements as he has done in a private letter. 10. In eithor case, myself and Her Majesty's subjects in this* country have strong grounds of complaint against Colonel Weare. ' They, Because he did not take those mefjns which his duty required him to tako to save them from becoming tho victims of ?uch cruel atrocities as he believed were lieing committed; I, on my part, because hb not only deprived mo of my legitimate 1 right of protecting Her Majesty's subjects, but made me afipear to those at a distance to at least silently, but willingly, acqiv.osce in the commission of cruelties of so revolting a kind. 11. I shall forward a copy of this despatch to Majbr-General Chute, and shall call upon him to take the requisito steps in regard to the line of conduct which has been pursued by Colonel Weare. I have &c, G. Grey. The Right hon. Edward Cardwell, M.P. No. 3. Copy of a despatch, from Governor Sir George Grey, K.Q.8., to the Rigid lion. Edioard Cardwell, M.P. (Separate.) Government House, W r ellingjon, June 29, 1867. Sin, — I have tho honor to transmit for your information thb copy of a Minute which I entered up6n the proceedings of the Executive Council immediately upon the receipt of your coifidenfcial despatch of the 26th of March last. . . I have, &c, , G. Gkey. The Right hoh. Edward Cardwell, M.P. Enoi.osuee in No 3. Extract from minutes of the Executive Council held at Government House,, at Wellington, on Wednesday, the 23rd day of May, 1866. •*' Present — His Excellency the Governor in .'.'Council. " The Governor has, just as tlie Execu"tive Council was assembling, received " the Right hon. E. Cardwell' s confidential " despatch of tho 26th March, by which "he is for the first time informed that " a semi-official notification is said to "have been made to officers serving "on the West Coast of NeW Zealand, "through tho Staff of General Chute, "thafc the .General did not wish any "prisoners taken, and that the General " himself has stated that the Colonial Government did. not want the expense of " prisoners. " Tho Governor denies, absolutely and " solemnly, that he has ever, directly or " indirectly, communicated to the General " Commanding tlie Forces that the Colo- " nial Government did not want the ex- " pense of prisoners. He denies, in the " same emphatic manner, that any of his " Ministers have ever made such arecom"mendation or suggestion to him. He " states that he believes them to be in- " capablo of so doing. He adds that if .-"they had done so, he would instantly " have appealed ito the General Assembly " for support in resisting such a policy, " and he fearlessly assorts that he would " instantly have received from the Assem- " bly the support for which he asked. He " denounces the statement made to the " Secretary of State, that the Colonial " Govornment had desired such a policy, " as a base and wicked calumny upon him- " self and the Colonial Ministers. He at " once enters this Minute on the nroceed- " ings of tho Executive Council. He " transmits a copy of it to the Right Hon. "Edward Cardwell, M.P., and he at the " same time demands, as he as a right fco " do, that copies of Colonial W r oare's let- " tors be communicated to him, with the " name of the person who supplied this "information to the Secretary of State, " aud thafc a full inquiry be instituted into " the whole matter ; and he declines fco rer " ceive tho communication as a confiden- " tial one." Approved in Council. FOESTER GOBING, Clerk of the Executive Council. No. 4. Copy of a despatclv from tlie Riglit Hon. Edward Cardwell, M.P., to Governor Sir George Grey, K.C.B. (Confidential.) Downing-strect, April 26, 1867. Sir,— l think it right to forward to you for your information, and for your report so far as tho statements refer to your Government, the enclosed letter from the , Rev. T. W. Weare, togethor with extracts of a letter which he informs me ho has recoived from Colonel Weare, 08. I learn that Mr. "Wearo has made a similar communication to the Secretary oi State for War ; and do not doubt that a ' strict inquiry will be made in consequence by the Military authorities. "l cannot for a moment suppose thai such imputations cither upon General Chute, or upon your Government, can be made without meeting with such r complete roply, as will show Colonc: Wearo's statement to have been altogethei founded in error : but on the other hand 3 am not warranted in considering that the^ . are made in bad faith, and must rcgarc , them therefore as calling for immediate and serious enquiry. I h^ye, &c,, Edward Cardwell. Enclosure in No 4. The Rev. T. W- Weare, to the Right hon E. Cardwell M.P. ■ Hampton House, Hampton Bishop, I ' Hereford, April 23.: 1860. , gjj} % — "With referenco to my former lot

ter addressed to you on the 19th Maroh last, I beg.now to enclose to you, evidence of further atrocities committed' by the troops in New Zealaud, underpressure, as Would appear, from the colonial authorities; and I feel assured that by thus laying the matter at once before Her Majesty's Secretary - T State for the colonies, ! am adopting a" course which will, without delay, arrest the further progress oi this merciless policy, as well as givo an opportunity for repudiating acts already done, whidi arc a stain upon the christian character of the nation. I have &c, Thomas William Weark, M.A., J.P. The Right hon. Edward Cardwell. M.P. Sub-Enclosure to Enclosure in No. 4. Extract from a letter from Colonel Weare, C.8., to the Rev. T. W. Weare, Extracts from a letter written by Colonel i H. E. Weare, C.8., commanding Fiftieth (Queen's Own) regiment, dated " Patea, New Zealand, January 13th, 1866," aud addressed to his brother, Rev. T. W. Weare, by whom it was received 14th April, 1866, and forwarded to the Right hon. the Secretary of State for the colonies, 23rd April, 1866 .— " I am sorry to say I have a far worse " matter to relate, which concerns us as a " regiment. On tho 7th, the day the Go- " noral took tho pa of Putahi, I was Or- " dered to lay an ambush^^h 50 men, to " cut off fugitives. A parfffof five fell into " it, — ono was badly wounded and got " away with three otliers, as the bush was "so dense. One man was taken, unhurt " — a Piperiki chief. The General re- " ceived me very coldly on -Jiis^a^rivaJ. at. "Patea, for taking this man alive, aifcer- " his intimation of , ' no prisoners.' How- " ever I told him I could not order my " men to' kill a' man after he had thrown " down his arms and surrendered, This " prisoner was taken to Kakaramea, where " the General encamped on the 9th, and " kept there till the llth, on which morn"ing the General • left ;at 3, a.m. ; .and "at 8, under instructions from .the Gene- " ral, this prisoner was taken down to a " gully, tied hand and foot, and then cruel"ly shot to death by some men of the " Fiftieth. . . . . I have written offici- " ally to the General to know if Captain " Young had due authority and orders for " this act, as otherwise we consider he has "cast a stain on the name pf the regi"•ment. " Since the leaving of Sir Duncan, the " true sentiments of the Governor and his " Government have come out towards the " Maoris, in their urging General Chute "on to all these atrocities of* killing and "no prisoners. And they cannot get out "of it, for Dr. Featherston, the Superin- " tendent of the Province, and a Govern"ment man, is moving about with the " General's Camp. •' Tho Natives will be vory badly off, for " the next six months, for they have no " open land open to them now, and they " must fall back into the bush, make clear- " ings, and cultivate, which will take them " six months at least. The friendlies took "two men the other day, one a chief, " whose ears they cut off, dried in the sun, " and presented them to their chief, with " the request thathe would wear them on " his watch chain. Nice Allies !- . . . "This wholesale confiscation should be in- " quired into, as there is not an inch of " open land left them in the . line from " Mount Egmont to Parakeno. If you " want peace, you miist give your enemy a " chance of living, and means of procuring " food ; at present they have none left to " them. I hope the degrading and bruta- " lizing manner in which this war is now " conducted may be known in England, ■"and 'the troops no longer be allowed to " be demoralized by tho Colonists fbr their " sole selfishness.", (True extracts by me,) ' T. W. Weare, M.A., J.P. The Right Hon. E. Cardwell, M.P. ■ No. 5. Copy of a despatch from Governor Sir George Grey, X.C.8., to the Rigid Hon. Edioard Cardwell, M.P. , (Soparate.) : Government Houso, WeUington, 30th June, 1866. Sir,— l have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your confidential Despatch of the 26fch. April last, enclosing tho copy of a letter of the 23rd April last, from the Rev. T. W. Weare. Your despatch also encloses extracts from a letter written to that gentleman by his brother, Colonel H. E. Weare, C.8., commanding tho Fiftieth (Queen's Own) Regiment, which letter is • dated Patea, New Zealand, January 13th, 1867. 2. These letters contain the gravest accusations against myself, tho Government of this country, and against the General Commanding the Queen's Forces,. and the officers and men composing those forces; 3. Generally I would remark on the accusations made, that they are, in as far as Her Majesty's forces are concerned, charges of enormous and atrocious cruelties practised either by tho troops or with their knowledge, such as partially disembowelling prisoners and then roasting them whilst still alive, &c. 4. Now what is done by Colonel Weare,. 08,, under such circumstances P Does he, justly filled with righteous indignation, instantly report these acts to the Governor, or the Government of the country, that an immediate stop may be put to them, and their perpetrators punished? No, he does not do this. Does he instantly write to the government at home, forwarding his letter through the Governor, and pray that instant orders may be sent out to put .a stop to such atrocities ? No, he does nofc do this. Or does he, as a just man and an officer should have dono, openly, boldly, and instantly make an official report of these allegecl atrocious acts to his General, , and at onco stop them in this way ? 5. No, he "does none of these things, but, iv private letters addressed to a person in England, he details horrid atrocities which he states havo been committed, and alleges that since the leaving of Sir Dun- _ can Cameron, tho true sentiments of the ' Governor and his Government have come ' out towards the Maoris, in their urging • General Chute on to all these atrocities, ! and that he hopos the degrading and brutalizing mannor in which this war is being conducted may be known in England, and P the troops no longer be allowed to be de--1 moralized by the Colonists for their sole 1 selfishness. ' 6. That is, according to the system-pur-sued when Sir D. Cameron was in this I country, by private letters, or statements 1 to. editors of newspapers or other persons, L even sometimes from officers at his Head- \ quarters or on his staff, and indeed by Sir ; D . Cameron's own confidential and private i letters to persons in authority at home, people in England were to Tic > prejudiced [ in tho most violent mannor against myself, ; my Ministers, and the people of this coun--3 try. . Ample proof of tho justico of the statements I thus make will be found in previous despatches of mine. 7. The result of this system was for the Empire a 'disastrous war, great and unnecessary loss of life and expenditure oi • monc3 r . For the Colony, almost ruin, . For thoso who pursued it, a large participation in honors and rewards. For myself; repeated censures, at least implied. - and an absence for years of that public

sympathy from those in authority; so re-, quisite to enable a man to struggle-. v^ith cheerfulness and hope against great diffircui tics, whilst, : unjust and wrong as was the conduct of those who were: the causq of my experiencing this treatment,' I am not aware that they were, ever subjected to the slightest censure or reproof. 8. I could have wished, that Her Majesty's Government had, in this case of Colonel Weare's letters, so manifestly a shameful one, at last peremptorily put a stop to a system at once so unjust and pernicious, by refusing, in accordance with the rules laid clown for the guidance of Hor Majesty's Service, and hitherto for so long a series of years, carefully and beneficially observed, to receive reports made in tiiis manner, and by directing and requiring Colonel Weare to make them through the. proper channel, and at the same time at least subjecting him to the reproof which he so justly deserved for having made statements privately against j his superior officers, which he should have made instantly and openly or. not at all. 9. You have been pleased to order me to make a complete reply to the imputations made upon myself and my Government in the letters from Colonel Weare and his brother, of the 13th January and the 23i'd of April last. I have, therefore, to consider in the first place by whom these imputations have been cast upon myself and my Government, and how this has been clone. In the second place what the imputations are. 10. Firstly, tho imputations came from an officer serving under my command, that is, from a junior against the Senior Officer in this Government. They are not mado openly and officially through the .head of liis department^ as Her Majesty directs shall be done, but in a private letter . sent through an unofficial channel to. the Secretary or State: This is a proceeding dangerous in itself as being subversive of all discipline, and as an example which would be bad from anyone, but .especially so from an officer of Colonel Weare's rank and standing. It is also a proceeding which is in direct disobedience of Her Majesty's instructions. "11. With every respect for yourself and your office, this proceeding is, therefore, one which I should, under all ordinary circumstances, feel it to be my duty in every manner to discourage and discountenance. I think it, therefore, especially my duty to do so "in the extraordinary circumstances with which I have now to deal. 12. Secondly, the hnputations to which I am now called upon to furnish a complete reply are— That since General Cameron has left this Colony, the true sen--ments of the Governor and his government have come out towards the Maoris, in their urging General Chute on to atrocities. That atrocities are being committed by the troops in New Zealand, under pressure from the colonial authorities. That the war is now being conducted in a degrading and brutalizing manner, and that the troops are demoralized by the colonists for their sole selfishness. . 13. Onre-considering theseimputations, and the manner in which they, have been made, you will, I am sure, agree with me that I ought not to be expected to attempt to make a complete reply to them, and that I act for the good of Her Maiesty's i service in respectfully but decidedly declining to do so. -14. I have duty to perform to that position in which the Crown has placed me. A person in this colony chooses, in a private letter sent to you, to allege that myself and my Ministers had secretly entertained sentiments of the most atrocious nature towards Her Majesty's native subjects in 'New Zealand, but had concealed them until Sir Duncan Cameron had lef fc the country, and then, thinking we hadfound afit instrument for our purpose in General Chute, had let these sentiments come out, and had urged him on to commit shocking atrocities. • 15. For. my., parfc^ will not deign to deny such a charge, so'madeTWltls-only by denial such a charge can be met ; and with all due respect for your position, I must maintain my own, and I decline to answer or in any way notice this imputation against myself. 16. I also think that I ought not to lower my Ministers by attempting _to make a complete reply to such a joint imputation, so mado, as against myself and them. ' 17. Nor will I make any reply to the imputation that, in consequence of pressure from myself and the Government, General Chute and Her Majesty's Forces have committed atrocities in tins country. Ifl had been base enough to have. desired that they should commit atrocities, I .should have known better the noble nature of many Of the officers and men of Her Majesty's Forces than to have dared • to havo striven to put a pressure upon them to attain such ends. Let any man try to do so who doubts what the result willbe. If, in consequence of treacherous murders committed on their messengers of peace arid on officers or men, they nave judged any act of severity 'necessary as an example, and to save life hereafter, it is, I feel assured, with sorrow and sadness they came to that conclusion. - 18.. Although I have thought it due to myself and my position so decidedly to refuse to notice the imputations to which I have been directed to furnish a complete reply, I beg to state that if any cases of cruelty are brought to my notice, I will sco that the fullest inquiry is made into them, and that amplo justice is, in as far as possible, done. 19. I will also throw no obstacle in the way of the fullest publicity being given to your despatches, and to Colonel Weare's allegations against myself, the Government, and the Troops. Every one shall have full freedom to make complaints of cruel acts, or of pressure put upon them, directly or indirectly, by myself or my Ministers, to force or induce them to commit acts of cruelty, and a,patient hearing of his or their complaint shall be secured to them, and full copies -of all such complaints, of any of the evidence taken upon them, and the decision come to, shall be, without delay, transmitted to you. 20. I mentioned tho subject of the atrocities of which they were accused to some Wanganui Natives, stating how distressed I was at tho allegations made. They replied — " Why should you distress "yoursolf? It arises from jealousy. " These are just such stories as we should " tell amongst ourselves, if we. were jealous "of each other's actions. We thought " the Europeans were superior to us ; we " now see they are as jealous a people as "we are," 21. I bog you will set your mind at rest upon the subject of the statements made .that no open' or good land is being kept ' for the Natives between Wanganui and • Mount Egmont. Tho Government assure me that their wants will be amply cared • for. At present little or none of that i country is occupied by Europeans. , I have, &c, I G. Gbey. i The Right hon. Edward Cardwell, M.P, ! . ■ No. 6. -J V ' ' Copy of a Despatch from Governor Sir [ George Grey, K. C.8., to the Right Hon. \. Edward Cardwell, MP. ; Government House, Wellington, 3rd July, 1866. ; Sir,— Since I hacl the honor, on the

*;Kavo.*eteiveH^^^ ' tKd enclo»c^^ay^ Weare, frß^ate-Me ;6th3lti^|p^gg .2, Colonel Weare i now . s MM^i.^^®&flS letters were -private pnesi-.^^tj^^ near relative! in the freeddhi X(^fMo^Xp correspondence; that tiiese^^-^ri^rely^ mentioned camp ;fumqurs;"thatyW circulation at th^ time; [msM^-hel^^X^X (trusting to his recoUecti*dh):ftha,tm;^ny;v'y'respects the statements : detailed in yoxapX., Despatches are expressed m much Btrongefe terms than those actually contained; hi his .': letters ;• that . he now believes r that thferje" , ; : were no grounds for the frump'tirs that cer^ :y tain prisoners were disembowellod, • aridy ; ; then thrown bn : the "fire alive j:or. that a. Maori was shot by soldiers, of the 14th ,. Regiment, after an officer had tried to \.. : save his life ; and that he regrets haying in any way, even in a privateletter, given . the weight of his authority for such ru- ''- mours. -'"■'.'--:' 3. The General having addressed the Secretary of State for War upon the whole question, in as far as "the military are concerned; it is unnecessary for me now to enter into the questions he has. discussed. I will merely say that Colone Weare's letter of the 6th ultimo appears, to me to confirm the view I from the first took of this case, and to show that the course I have pursued in relation to it is the iiroper^oni?. I have, &c.i a. &BEY; The Right Hon. Edward Cardwell, M.P. .-, Enclosure in No. 6. ; ' Colonel Wearo, C.8., _ to. tho Assistant Military. Secretary. ' Auckland, 6th June,-1866. •HvSib, — I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 29th ultimo, relative to certain statements said to" have been made in private letters of . mine, the contents of which it would ap§ear have been communicated to the ecretary of State, for ; the' Colonies. I deeply regret that any such use should have been made of any df my private letters, written to a near relative m the freedom of family correspondence. lam unable to comply with your request to furnish copies. of those letters, as none were retained by me ; and with regard to giving an explanation of the grounds on which I made the statements they are said to have contained, t beg to observe that though I - did mention in my private letters the nature of certain camp raniQuTS that wero in circulation at the time,T believe (trusting to recollection) that in many 'respects the statements detailed in your letters as those which I am alleged to' have made, are expressed in much stronger terms than those actually contained in my letters. At all events, I now believe that there: were no grounds for the rumours 'that Certain ■ prisoners were disembowelled 'and .then thrown on the fire alive,. or" that. a Maori was shot by soldiers of the l4fch Rie^ihl^nt after an officer had; tried to" save" Ms- life; and I regret having in any. wa;f , Weft Jh a private letter, given the weight" 'of 'iny authority for such. . ' -'. X X~ *' -X" A native, j have since heard, was ' shot ..-.. under some such circumstances, by ,soin;e y one probably of the NatitejContiiigenti. who I heard likewise shot another Native prisoner after releasing him; I do hot believe I made shch a ~ statement in my private letter as that "Of- " ficers serving oh the West Coas& of New " Zealand had received a semi-officiaLiio*' - " tification from the Major-General's . Staff . ''that he did hot wish- prisohor^.tOybjE! .* " taken;'' 1 nor 'tjiatt^ ' put to death, in "'compliance v^& ;^h;jbut*- • I certainly my self understood :-:jjhaty.j^?£ • . Major'Qtsneral did' hot -wiak'pf isbfterir./ A >^-- - - Finally, I would again assure the MajorGeneral of, my regret at the use -ihade of my private letters, wMch I in* nd , way authorized, and' l hope he will consider them as withdrawn. J X s X 'X .._ I have, Sec., r H. E. Weare, Colonel, Commanding 50th Regiment. The Military Secretary, Auckladd^/ „ :- ■ :." : N0.7. . .; _'■; ;:-••-•;:; Copy, of a tlespatch from. . Gmenipr Xsir ... George Grey X.C.8., to^the. Right hon. Edioard Cardwell, M.P. (Separate.) - Government House, Wellington, July 12, 1867. • Sir,— l am anxious that everything which has been stated as a fact by Colonel _ Weare, C.8., in the extracts from his let- . terof the 13th- of January* 1866, sbouldy: be carefully examined, . that you" may bj&' these points :be /put- in. possession of full „',. > information.; „.'.-;:';:. ', - 2. With a view of I*3™? being done, I beg . to call your attention to ythe following extract from Colone! Weare's letter :— •" Ahd "they (tha-t is -the Governor, and goyern- " nient) cannot get out bf it, for Dr. Fea- " therston, the , Superintendent of the " Province, and a Government man, is " moving about with the General's Camp." 3. On this I beg to state that Dr. Fea- : therston, the Superintendent of; the Pro- .;'." vince of Wellington, is ah officer elected . y. by the people of , that Province.';, that he neither waSjMior- is, in any -way connected . with the General government of, New-Zea-land; that : i;had hpthmg^ > presence at General Chute's camp ; .arid I am informed by my Ministers that they x had nothing to dp with his presence tliere. At the same time, lam of opinion thafc hjk. . ■ position, his knowledge of parts of v they- > country, and of the natives, andMsygeheral . X disposition and quafifications, rendered' him a very fitting person for the General to have taken with him. '•'■ ,' . V 'X ■ '. I'have &c, < . (jr GREY ' The Right hon. Edward Cardwell, M.P. - No. 8. Copy of a despatch from Governor Sir Grorge Grey, K. C.B, to the Right hon. Edioard Ca?'divell, M.P. (Separate.) Government House, Wellington, July- 24, 1867, , Sir, — In pursuance of the course I hacl . the. honor to inform you I should, follow, of doing my utmost to have any circumstance of cruelty fully investigated which Colonel Weare, or others, stated as an actual fact, I have now the honor, to enclose for your information a copy of a letter I addressed to General Chivte, asking that Colonel Weare should be called-on to" substantiate his statement that the friendly natives had taken two" men, one a chief,' whose ears they- cut off,, dried in tKe sun, . and presented them to their chief, with , a request that he would wear them dh his watoh-chain. I, have also the honor to enclose copies of General Chute's reply to me, and of Colonel Weare's two letters of explanation to General Chute, which latter letters I regard as unsatisfactory. , ':.;", "." ; : I have, &c., fp: P/ : p'y. ' '<x.<hiss;X i pX The Right hon. Edward .Cardwell, ■*%■&- p .'. 'Enclosure Im, Ho*. &y X/ 'f-Xy / Si?* Geo)ge Grey y K.CXß.,[to:^^df^Gfin^yXX . ■ *. -_-•.... fal Chute*. "-<y; PX/ yf/ppX Government Houso, -X(;. P y : ■y:} >: i; -; WH^tto;in^ / Sir,— Mi letter addressfecl ;by yC6lptt-©% . i Weaid, ' 0,8.,y t0 : the Rey:;f^W;; W^^/iS.

f^^^^HWoi January last, extracts from l^^PPife^ already been transmitted to |Sst|^elfoU owing passage occurs :— •" The two -men the other day ;l a^chie^) ; whose /ea^: they cut bfl^ m :;fst;|(ii^ib .i^e:sihi,jahd presented tiiem to ;^l;the^ chief witha request that he would ?^^V:wear on his watch chain— nice % Rallies;" / "'-...'". X} ; v 5 1 should feel very much obliged to you r X$ : - 309-, wbhld call oh Colonel Weare to y: the statements he has thus X'wmieif-'., ' "XXX: ''■"■'■■ :*--.-,* I have, Sco., X^yXXXX- G-. GrBEY. XX ;The.hon. Major-General Chute. pX yj; £ IN No. 8. 1 Major ' General Chute to Sir George Grey,K.C.B. Head Quarters, Wellington, July 14, 1866. Sib,— -I have the honor to acknowledge „ the ; receipt of copies of a correspondence . ..relative to, certain statements made by : Colonel Weare in a letter to his brother, to me in the Private Secretary's ietter ; of ,the 4th instant, also of your Ex- : cellency's letter of the 12th instant. ;;;^itis.e^dentfromtheeorrespoiidence &at;l;SlwJl receive instructions on the % .';subjecv*fifoni the Seoretary of State for / Wai by the (.mail expected in a few days, ■';-' -I propose to defer making any remarks of my :: own . on the matter, until after the arrival of the mail., " lnthe. meantime, however, I think it right to place your Excellency in possession of the enclosed copies of letters I have received from Colonel Weare. Ihave, Sec, : ■ , • ' T. Chute, . Major-General. His Excellency Sir G. Grey, K.C.B. "*& Sub-Enclosure 1 to Enolosube 2 IN No: 8.. X Colonel Weare, C.8.,t0 the Assistant Mili1. **«ry Secretary, Wellington, July 8, 1866. Sir,— lhave the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 7th inst., enclosing copies of a: correspondence to Sir ■G;- Grey,. X.C.8.,. from the Secretary of "State fo|:the Colonies, containing extracts of a private letter of mine to my brother, r *andfuimshedbyhini without my authority, aid calling upon me to state, for the ' Major-GeheraTs information, my reasons ;fo^ so extraordinary anatuie. In. reply, I would beg first to express my deep regret that; a private letter of mine, written to a bromer, should have beenusedjin a way I never authorized and neyerahticipated, and even the most private sentiments of so humble an individual : as myself so largely quoted. X'y. Twill now, as requested, most respect- ' vfriUysu^ which, influencing mj feelings, caused me to give utterance to inany private sentiments in. a hurried private letter to catch the mail, which I should not have done had I had more time for de^beration. Xy The ; circumstances under which a Maori pri.soh.er met his death at Kakaramea, on - : the lith January last, created such a feeling: ahibngst the officers of the regiment as to tM interpretation that might be put on the, various rumours, and thus bring Reflections on the hitherto stainless name of the 50th Regiment, that they called up- ' on me, as their commanding officer, to see that hone was suffered to remain. v Foi? tMspurposel addressed an official letter jto the Adjutant-General, requesting to, be .informed whether the officer com.imimding :at r Eiakaramea had due instruc- ! tiohs%rjshat he did. . _'• It v^as .while thus labouring under my „,^ ahxiefy ;lest any of the. various rumours of ■' v^li^iB J ' : '<»ftislio^ltt be circulated to the disvoredit of the regiment, and before I reXy ceived^, reply, that I gave utterance to the :: sentiments in the extracts now furnished, tvi^as^ey/fvere merely my private imat the moment, and of a most private nature, and in a private letter to a br^lrerr^nnretr-Bxpress my deep regret that they should lave been so largely quoted, or any of the matter used in the j Way it has been, or that any of the expres- j sions should bear an appearance of casting ah imputation on any one, and I beg respectfully that they may be withdrawn. I have, Sco., H. E. Weabe, , Colonel, Commanding SOth Eegiment. The Assistant Military Sec. Head-quarters Sub-Enolosube 2 to Enolosube 2 in No. 8 Colonel Weare, C.8., to the Assistant Military Secretary. Wellington, July 13, 1866. Sib,— -I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of this day's date, - enclosing a copy of a letter from His Excellehey Sir George Grey X.C.8., to the Major ' General commanmng the forces, re^questing that I ihight : be called upon %to . snbittotiate i the statements therem con- --' tamed.: '': :'* ■ -.--■.• ; P&fflijh reference to that statement I has- ■• ten to place oh record that itnever having : entered iny^.ihhid to dohvey the meaning -. ;that'these mien were alive T did not allude ;--. ,; toili:ih ; my: letter of the Bth inst., and that . . : ' -"it ; %as : 6nljy oh my attention being drawn, ;I|hjs i\M?vJt»> And, that.tiie expression r ;^^o^l^i^iarft^V^^ l^^ l1 ' a * ? k e " ; came%w^ :of It. r/inia^e the statement referred to in a private letter to a near relative, onhearing ' it from several officers whose credibility I . could have ho reason to doubt, and I trust that, after the explanation made in the first part of this lotter, the matter contained in my private letter may be withdrawn, as requested in my letter of the Bth inst. I have, &c, H. E,. Weabe, Colonel, Commanding 50th Regiment. TKe Assistant Military Sec. Head-quarters.