EXTRACTS FROM NOTE BOOK. Sunday, June 17, 1866.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume XXV, Issue 100, 14 August 1866, Page 3

EXTRACTS FROM NOTE BOOK. Sunday, June 17, 1866.

Arrival of Mr. Q-eorge Jeryis in Nelson, at dark. He stated to me that Mdller had arrived the day before in Canvas Town, and that, from what he related to him, and from what he knew about four - suspicious men, supposed to be German, having left Canvas Town the day before, he was certain that Mathieu's party had met with foul play. He gives the descriptions of the four suspicious men, two of which answer exactly to that of two men who were seen at the Bridge Hotel, Waimea t road, on that same day, dining at the same table as Mr. and Mrs. Jervis, of the Commercial Hotel, and who, it appears, had a ride up the country on the same occasion. Went with Q-eorge Jervis and. Sergeant G-oodall, of the Havelock Police, on the same night, to give information to Mr. Shallcrass, and arranged that immediate steps should be taken to go to the relief of the missing men, hoping they would be found alive. Arranged that I should form a party of four men ready to start at daylight for the Maungatapu, while o*. Jervis would stop in town to endeavour to discover the whereabouts of the suspicious men. Obtained a promise from Mr. Shallcrass that a horse and supplies should be Bent to Franklyn's Flat the next day, for the use of my Search Party. George Jervis related to me that he had engaged Mr. Wilson, of Pelorus Valley, to accompany him on the journey to Nelson, and that they had come together as far as the saddle. Mr. Wilson, being confident that the men had reached Nelson in' safety, tried to persuade Jervis to go back to Canvas Town. Of course G. Jervis did not agree with him, and, fearing that the worst event had taken place, he resolved to push, on alone, and to reach Nelson the same day, as he would not rest until the alarm had been given, and immediate steps taken for the apprehension of the suspected party. Got from Mr. G. Jervis a memorandum of the suspicious men. Went about the town to enlist three volunteers to join me in the search. Very disappointed in finding not one willing to go. The people of the town will not credit the story, and some say that G. Jervis must be mad, and that his brother ought to take care of him as he may turn out dangerous. 11 o'clock, p.m. — Got everything ready to start to-morrow by myself. < Mondaz, Jxtite 18. At daylight, went to see Sergeant Edwards, and informed him of my failure in endeavouring to form a search party. I told him to ask Mr. Shallorass to have the goodness to make up the party with, constables, and have it ready as soon as possible. 9 o'clock, a.m. — Saw Mr. Shallcraes. Got horse and supplies from him, and three constables (Bradcock, Flett, and Marten) to join me. 11 o'clock a.m. — Started from the Government buildings for the search on the Maungatapu road, taking amongst our supply a little oatmeal and brandy, in case we should discover the missing men ; as I supposed they would be tied up in the bush, and greatly reduced by cold and want of nourishment. Got our dinner at Smyth's house, five miles from Nelson. Got to Dwyer's Accommodation House, four miles farther, by about three o'clock. Met thero a Deep Creek party, consisting of Bix men — William Price (stepson of Felix Mathieu), William Davis, Auguste Hardy, James Griffith, Henry Hope, and George Davy. I learnt from that parly that they had received the alarm from Moller on Sunday, and that they had left Deep Creek on the same day; had camped on the Heringa; had tracked the horse of the missing

party this sido of Franklyn's Flat; and that they were going to Nelson to sec if really the missing men had not arrived. I told them that they could do nothing more in Nelson than what had been done until tho present time ; and that George Jervis would see that the suspicious men would be rarefnlly looked for. As they could only get a small supply of provisions At Dwyer's, they decided to despatch two of their party to Nelson to bring moro suppliea. In the meantime they wero having a meal, and the conversation fell on one of the suspicious men, who whs at Deep Creek tho Sunday week before, and who had spent tho night at the Cafe" de Paris (Mr. Mathieu's hotel). From the description given of the man, Constable Marten stated that ho had seen the man in company with two or three others the week before, and that the last time he had seen him wm on Saturday last at tho Rising Sun. Waimearoad. The name of Levy was pronounced, and lat once wrote a letter to the police, officer in charge at Nelson, concerning the whereabouts of that man, aud applied for moro supplies, as the number of our ■earch party was augmented by four men. The other two Deep Creek men, Augusto Hardy, and Will Dftvis.l directed to go to Nelson at full speed and to deliver the letter in proper hands on the ■ame daj. About half- past three, when wo 'had resumed our journey again, we arrived at the old chimney, or Nash's old Accommodation house, half way up the Mangatapu from Dwyer's. Tho constables and the horse wero 5 head, in order to have the tent fixed up at Franklyn't Flat before dark. Having a look out at the chimney to tee if there were any signs of a late fire, I discovered, in front of the chimney, a heap of burned paper; tried if I could make out the reading) unsuccessful. Gave another look round. Found a piece of newspaper rolled up, containing some black substance. Called tho attention of the party to it. Thought it was black sand. Found afterwards, in tasting it, that it was gunpowder. Noticed that the piece of paper was part of the Marlborough Press, of the 30th May, 18G6. Found also concealed in the dry fern of an old encampment here, some calico bags, one it part of a 1001b. Chilian flourbag. Directed the men to search all round the chimney, when Harry Hope picked up another piece of paper, part also of a Marlborough Press, containing about half-au-ounce of pepper. Noticed an old track going in a southerly direction from the chimney, and saw foot-prints of men forward and backward for a distance of about thirty yards. Found nothing else, and resumed our journey again. Half a mile further up, met a man on horseback going to Nelson. Wrote a second note to the police officer in charge at Nelson, informing him of the suipicious character of tho things we had found at • the old chimney, and requesting him to cause a strict •earch to be made in town for the suspected men. Forwarded the said note by the horseman, and requested him to deliver it tho same night. It is getting dark. Crossed the Maungatapu saddle by five o'clock, and made Franklyn's Flat by six o clock. Found the tent pitched up in an old slab store, and a good fire awaiting us. Got our tea, tied the horae, and 'went to bed on a luxurious bed of dry fern [We little knew at that time we were occupying the same emplacement as the one selected by the murderers for their encampment on the night of the 12th, or only six days previous]. Our tent rather small to accommodate all of us. Had a look at the pieces of the Marlborough Press we found at the old chimney, and noticed that the two pieces were pare of the •ame paper. TUESDAT, JONE 19. Rose early in the morning; got our breakfast; left two men well armed in chargo of the tent and of the horse. Our search party is composed of five men and myself. We are tracking foot- print after foot-print of the horse of the missing party, from Franklyn's Flat towards Nelson for about threequarters of a nnlo. At that place, off the road, and near to a big rock standing on the upper side of the road, we noticed two or throe foot-prints of a horse corresponding in size by measurement to those left by " old Farmer " (the name of tho missing horse), along the track. The foot-prints were those of a horse taken from the rock to tho road. We are looking for the foot-prints going up from the road, but without success. We are nil searching about the rook. The first thing striking our attention is a brown oil-cloth left there near to the remains of a camping place, which is not older than a week, from the appearance of the sticks used for poles, and of tbe green leaves composing the bed of the camping party. The poles were cut with a tomahawk, rusty and not very sharp. Looked for the holes of the fork polos and found them apart, so as to allow a tent of about 10 by Bto be fixed up. Noticed that a fire had been lighted on the upper side of the rock and against it, that fire very recent. Noticed hair of a horse or cattle sticking to freshly chopped manuka underbrush. Cattle or a horse must have been there •ince the manuka was chopped. It is likely the manuka was cut to light the fire of the camping-party. Found also hair, supposed to be of an opossum-rug, which must have been exposed to the sun to dry. Directed tho party to 'search on the upper side of the rock, where an old track leads up the hill. Noticed two foot-prints of diggers' Sydney or colonial boots going down to the track. Went on the lower side of the road, opposite the rock. Found again foot-prints leading to a spot about forty feet off the road, and back again. At that spot found a piece of paper, and noticed it to be the first leaf of an English Grammar, with the name of 11 Thomas M'Grath" written on it. Called some of the party to inquire if- they knew a man of that name on the Wftkamarina. They said there was a man of that name working on the Wakamarina some months ago. Men back from the hill ; they cannot find any traces of foot-prints in that direction. Followed the foot-prints of the horse again from the Rock along the track to the creek, for about sixty yards on the Nelson side. Here, on the bank of the creek, W. Price pointed out to me where he found a piece of soap the day previous. The soap could not nave been long there, as one inch rise of water in the creek would have taken it away. . Concluded that the piece of soap had been used by the camping party at the Rock. Sent two men up the creek, and two down, to see for footprint*. The party up the creek report that they traced the footprint* of light boot* up and down for about one mile and ahalf, and that there are more footThought the creek was worth exploring again next daj, and concluded that the encampment at the Book must have been that of the suspected men, on Tuesday night, 12th June, and who had left Canvas Town on the same morning, according to Mr. Jerri*'* information, as we could not discover, between Nelson and Frankly n'* Flat, other more recent encampment*. Left that creek, and went on following "Old Farmer's " footprints, towards Nelson, looking right and left of the track for other places, where the horae might have been taken off. Traced him about half a niilo beyond that creek, where we lost it. Three or four hundred yards on the Havelook aide of the slip* on the road, I saw a mark of one or two Terr dutinct foot-prints of the horse [It was only a few yards from this spot that Dudley's swag, the shirt, and the double-barreled gun, were afterwards found]. Getting dark, we return to our tent. Seen nobody passing that day. Fine weather. After tea went to rest. About half past nine o'clock we had rolled up in our blanket*. One or two of our party gave alarm, stating that there was some one about the horse. All got up, taking guns and revolvers, and went to where the horse was tied up, about 200 yards distant. Constable Bradcock thinks he cau see a man running; ho fires hi* revolver, but hits nobody. We bring the horse near the tent. The panio is over, and we lay down again. Wkdxisday, Junk 20. Up at daylight. Divided the men as follows: — One man in charge of the tent ; two to search along the old, or Barmcoat'a track, with directions to examine foot-print*, if any, then to strike across the bush, down to tho new track, and to explore along

tho creek near the Rock ; two to go over the Maungatapu range, on tho Nelson side, and down to the old chimney, and to search about that place ; the two others, and myself, to search along the road from Frankly it's Flat to the top of the Maungatapu range.

Explored both sides of the road fvom the Flut to tlie Eock, without findiug any traces or foot-prints off the track. Made another careful examination at the Rock. In searching about the fire-place behind the Rock, noticed at the. extreme cud of two halfburnt logs, on the Havelock side, a bunch of dry tern, which, from its appearance, must have been laid there after the fire was out, and for the convenienco of a man in a sitting position. I take a similar position, and find that my body is entirely hidden from the road in front, but that I can get a good command of the road on the Franklyn's Flat side, and watch people coming that way. Had a look round to see if I could notice anything suspicious about the trees in the neighbourhood. Discovered a blaze in a black birch tree standing on the lower side of the rock. Noticed that the blaze was not much older than a week, and done with a tomahawk not very sharp. Found there wa9 a bullet mark in the centre, but that the bullet must have dropped or been taken away. Found at the foot of the tree a piece of bark corresponding in size to tho blaze, and with the bullet mark right through. Concluded that the tree had been hit before the blaze was made. Noticed that the bullet must have been fired from behind the Rock by a person standing upright and aiming at the tree, or at a point on the road at a height corresponding with the height of a man passing by. Looked for the bullet at the foot of the tree but could not find it. Found also a small rusty file on the top of the rock. The file exhibits no signs of having been used lately. About twelve feet from the encampment I came across a rusted percussion cap-box laying open, containing some black substance, and placed at an angle of about forty-five degrees. Found its contents to be powder, and wet. Concluded that the powder might have been dry when stowed away, as I noticed more powder on the ground near the box. That would also explain why the surface of the powder in tho box waß found to be level where tho box was standing at an acute angle. Found also near the Hock some black thread; noticed on the Havelock side of the Rock and near a large birch tree, a brown paper parcel, containing a little white sugar. I traced some other sugar on the ground from where the paper was found to the encampment. It must have been thrown away from the tent or from the fire-place. Constable Flett discovered among the roots of a large tree, where tho sugar was found, two tin plates hidden, they were clean, and exhibited signs that they had been carried in a swug, one in the other. At this time, Constable Bradcock and W. Price returned from the exploration .of the old track and across the bush, reporting to have met with nothing which could call their attention regarding the present case. They joined our party in the scaroh along the road. Met a man on horseback, coming from Nelson, it was the same man who agreed to take my second letter to Nelson, written on Monday afternoon. Said lie bad delirered the letter on reaching town, and that Levy had been arrested the same night-, about ten o'clock, and he believed another man had been arrested on suspicion of being an accomplice. Heard that Nelson had been at last roused by terror on finding that Mr. George Jervis's expectations about the case were at lust confirmed. He tells us that, when passing near the slips on the road, his mare began to shy, aud enjoined us to have a good look out there. Went all of us immediately to the slips, but, after a careful examination, down the gully and up the hill, we found nothing. During that time three horsemen arrived—Sergeant G-oodall, of Havelock, on his way to Marlborough ; William Davis ; and Mr. Kempthorne, brother to one of the missing party. They gave us all the particulars of the Nelson news, and that G-. Jervis, in company with a police party, had left Nelson on Tuesday, going up the country after other men, who were supposed to have taken flight. Mr. Kempthorne and W. Davis returned to Nelson. Getting late. Went back to the tent. Met Mr. Pilliet, the Havelock Magistrate, going to Nelson. He said he had brought live Maoris with him to search. At dark, fourteen more men arrived from Wakamarina to join in the search. Very short of provisions ; only one meal left. I expect provisions to-morrow, sent by the Nelson Government. " Great ijre at night. Our little tent, of eight feet by ten, contains about fourteen or fifteen men, one on top of the other, no other tent having bedn brought. Sharp night ; freezing hard. Thuesday, June 21. Up early. We devise to search in a systematic manner. I muster the men, and divide them as follows : — Constable Flett in charge of the tent ; James Griffiths to take the horse to Nelson ; with an order for more supplies. Division No. 1, composed of Constable Martin, T. Fitzpatrick, J. Russell, H. Bryan, T. Edwards, G. Edwards, T. Solo, James Toping, B. Kieper, and P. O'Connor, under my charge; Division No. 2, composed of G. Davy, C. Morgan, W. Herring, W. Hope, T. M'Donald, R. Evans, James Kendall, E. Hisen, and W. Price, under Constable Bradcock's charge j W. Davis and A. Hardy are in Nelson. Constable Bradcock's division is to search Franklyn's Flat on both sides of the road, proceeding by small areas at one time, and by having his men " forming a chain," that is, the men to place themselves in a line about straight, leaving between each man a space of about ten or twelve yards as his respective distance. At a given signal, the whole division went in front, each man's duty being to explore within a line of ten or twelve yards, or from five to six yards, on the right and left side of him. Took my division along the track to search the bush on the upper side of the road from Franklyn's Flat, going towards Nelson. After having instructed the men how to proceed in the search. We also form the " chain," and begin to work. Our chain follows tho track, and embraces a belt the width of which is about 150 yards, or from six to seven chains measurement. We come to the big creek near the rock, without finding anything afresh concerning the object of our search. We proceed on the lower side of the road back to Franklyn's Flat, in the same manner, without being more successful. Constable Bradcock informs me that his division had searched the flat without any success. I set the two divisions together to search the lower side of the road, and make the chain longer. Several gentlemen arrived from Nelson, amongst them Captain Saxton. Heard of the great meeting in Nelson, and of tho formation of a Search Committee, and supplies to bo sent. Great number of men from Nelson arrive. It begins to rain. Packhorses, with tents and supplies, arrive. We return to search the lower side of the road, in tbe manuka scrub. Messrs. Leo and Hartmann arrive on horseback, and inform us that the horse, " old Farmer," had been found. We went to Bee it. Rain fell heavily. Found a great many people about where the horse was found. The constables take charge of the baggage, saddles, <tc, and volunteers undertake to carry the several swags to the camp. Reformed my division, to which Mr. T. Snow and other gentlemen of Nelson joined, and we proceed to search the bush on the upper eide of the road from tho horse to the creek near the Rock. Found nothing. Went to the camp and found the Nelson volunteers erecting tents, and busy cutting fern to lay on. Great excitement in the camp about the event of the day. Very wet night ; the rain put our fires out; very uncomfortable night to many in the tent. Some time in the afternoon a man of the name of Elija, of Deep Creek, picked up a parcel or bundle in the scrub, about sixty yards from the dead horse, on the Havelock side, and about eight yards from the road. This is found to have belongedto Dudley, one of the missing men. The piece of calico wrapping the parcel exhibits reddish spots, supposed to be human blood.

Fbiday, June 22. Up early; weather rather cloudy. I feel very stiff and in an indisposed state, in consequence of my feet having been both hurt on the first day of our expedition ; they have become so swollen that I find it necessary to make great incisions with my knife in the sides of my boots, as I am determined to go on. Tried my feet and found, although with considerable pain, that I could walk slowly. Sent an order to Nelson for more supplies. Sir. Wilsonof Pelorus valley, arrives and joins our party. I proceed to call the roll. Agreed with Mr. Saxton that liis volunteers should search the lower aide of the road, whilst mine should search the upper side. My party is about thirty-live men strong, Mr. Saxton's about forty. Our search line extended about one-quarter of a niiie wide. About ten o'clock, a.m , it began to rain ; and before we came to the rock, I found that about half of my men had deserted their ranks, and had gone at lull speed to the place where the horse had been found, persuaded that the bodies of the missing men would bo found not far off. This desertion was chiefly attributable to tho large reward offered by Mr. Kempthorne for the discovery of the body of his brother, and that offered by the Nelson Government for the discovery of tho bodies of the four men, tho bills announcing which had been postsd up at the camp the night before. I still proceed searching the upper side of the road, with the remains of my party, until we arrive at the creek near the rock. Having searched both sides of the road from Franklyn's Flat to that spot, wo begin searching again on the lower Bide of the road, on the Nelson side of the creek, applying still the " forming chain " system. We begin to hear the shouts of the Nelson volunteers, about a quarter of a mile behind us. The rain pours down in torrents, but its effects make no impression on the general excitement which prevails in the spirit of the brave searchers. About 100 yards from where the creek crosses the road, and about half-way between the road and the bottom of the creek, my men come across a long shovel. It must have been thrown away from the road or from tho creek. We look for signs of a hole, but find nothing. The shovel was found by C. Morgan. Shortly afterwards, and not far fi-em the other, Harry Hope finds another long-handled shovel, rather rusty, and not having been used for some time. Farther on, about 120 yards on the Harelock side of the dead horse, and only about ten feet from the road, T. Solo found a Crimean shirt rolled up and planted under a log. This shirt was supposed to have belonged to Levy, one of the suspected men. The shire is torn in two places, and exhibits coloured spots of what is supposed to be human blood. I caution the party to carefully search that particular locality. Ten minutes afterwards, R. Evans came upon a double-barreled gun, found farther on, amongst the fallen timber, distant about one chain from where the shirt was found, and three-quarters of a chain from the road. The ram-rod of the gun is absent, and both barrels are loaded and capped. Three o'clock, p.m. — The heavy rain compels us to retreat to our camp. About the place where the shovels were found, Constable Bradcock and I fired off a gun and a revolver. Found afterwards that the report of the tn o shots had been distinctly heard at Franklyn's Flat, but not so as to perceive a distinction in loudness between the two. Concluded from that experiment that it was likely the noise similar to that of chopping wood, heard by the woman who had last met the missing party when about three-quarters of a mile from Franklyn's Flat, on the Havelock side, was the report of tiro arms discharged by tho suspected men at their victims. When near the ciunp, heard that a horse had fallen right down one of the slips on the other side of the dead liorse. Went back again with a few men to extricate the horse and goo him out, although very much bruized. There are two or three dangerous slips along the road where repairs are wanted. This is ono of them ; £10 or £12 would make the repairs good at those particular places. Back to the camp again at dark and wet through. Arrival of five or six pack-horses loaded with provisions from Nelson. Great confusion in the delivery of tho stores and clothes. The Wake.inarina diggers complain of not receiving their share. Mr. J. Taylor, of Nelson, is appointed storekeeper, for distributing the provisions, and the men are formed into nine or ten messes of about eight or ten in each. Each mess appoints a steward to receive the provisions, and to prepare the meals, and the men retire to their tents a little more satisfied. Very cold and wet night. All the clothes wet. Saturday, June 23. About 930, a.m., the weather cleared up Arrival of eight more men from Wakamarina. Call the roll. Are present of my party: C. Bird, T.Walker, R. Evans, T. Edwards, T. Solo, T. Colquhoun, H. Bryan, C. Morgan, H. Hope, W. Phillips, W. Runs, T. Meharry, J. Fitzpatrick, R. Sutherland, P. O'Connor, W. Hall, W. Herring, J. M'Donald, W. Work, W. Jeffrie, P. M'Alpine, J. Cassidy, R. Newman, J. Russell, B. Kieper, G. Edwards, — Elija, G. Davy, G. F. Johnston, J. Gilholley, J. Toping, H. Miller, W. Price, H. Bartlett, J. Erscig, Mr. Wilson, G. Dwyer, G. Walker, A. Thomson, J. Lorfey — in the whole, and comprising the constables, forty-two present ; are absent, or on duty elsewhere, J. Griffin, W. Davis, and Aug. Hardy. I may here mention that the names of eight volunteers from the Wakamarina were never published in the Nelson papers, and consequently I feel justified in entering their names in this document ; they were — H. Bartlett, J. Erscig, Mr. Wilson, G. Dwyer, G. Walker, A. Thomson, J. Lorfey, and A. Hardy. I divide my men into four divisions : one, under Constable Bradcock, to search on upper side of the road, and exploring a reported supposed track ; one, under G. Davy, to explore the valley from the horse down to the Heringa, where supposed footprints had been observed tho day previous ; one, under Mr. Wilson, to search along the road from the camp ; the other, under myself, to search the neighbourhood of the rock. Wo receive two horseloads of goods from the inhabitants of Havelock, directed by Mr. Pilliet. Supplies from Nelson also plentiful. Buck to the camp at dark. The supposed tracks have been explored, without success. Nothing found this day. Some more supplies from Nelson arrive at dark. The packers report that they had observed a strong smell about half way between the dead horse and the top of the range, coming from the upper sido of the road. On that report many men started for the locality, but without finding anything. We expect to-morrow numerous visitors from Nelson. Sunday, June 24. Fine day. Men search in all directions. I take only four men with me to explore the creek near tho Rock. We sounded all the water-holes, and explored, with the help of a light, all the caves on its banks. Very much disappointed in not finding anything. About fifty horsemen from Nelson visited our camp that day. Some of them, Messrs. J. Jervis, Davenport, T. Snow, Moonlight, and others joined us in the search. A small frying-pan, without handle, was found below the Rock, on the lower side of the road. Monday, June 25. Weather cloudy. Divided my men into four divisions, the same as on Saturday. Three divisions to search the bush ; one especially to explore the creek and its banks near the Rock on the upper side of the road, and also a guHly at the back of the hill on the southern side of the Rock ; one to explore the old track from the Maungatapu to the dead liorse ; one to explore again the valley of the HeringTi, as fur down as the bridge ; the remaining division, under my charge, I provide with all the axes and tomahawks I cau find at the camp, and lead them to where the gun, shirt, and Dudley's swag had been found. Having remarked that these objects had been found within a square chain, and that it was possible that other small objects might have escaped the notice of the men engaged in tho search, and that

the finding of any more articles would throw still further light on the subject, I undertake to thoroughly clear two or three square chains of the bush about that spot. To effect this, we begin clearing, having first secured a facing of 100 feet in length by about eighteen feet wi<le (which embraces all the scrub and dead timber fallen from the road) ; all underbrush is cut close to the ground, the trees and logs alone standing; the logs are turned over, and all cavities properly inspected. This done, all the men ttand nearly side by side, with small sticks in their hands, imitating the Australian " Lubras " digging for fern-root. Begin to move over the whole surface of the soil, so that a threepenny piece, or even a pin, would be easily noticed. Having only about twelve men, the work is slow. It began to rain by about three o'clock. We have got about one chain and a-half square cleaved, and well searched, without finding anything. It is my intention to have two or three other plaues along the road cleared in the same manner ; and I sent to Nelson for more half-axes and bill-hooks. It rained heavily at night. Tuesday, June 26. Rainy weather. In vain wo wait for a clearing, the rain falling steadily. Many of my men aye getting impatient at not finding the bodies. They say they will go to Nelson, and do all they can to bring Levy out, and make him show where the bodies have been hidden. Mr. Phillips got up a petition to that) effect and obtained about twenty signatures. I most strongly oppose that motion as long as the majority of the men are willing to continue the search, and so long as I Bhall be satisfied that the whole locality has not been searched. Phillips and about twelve men left the camp, taking the petition to Nelson. It rained heavily. Arrival of Moller, of Deep Creek, in the camp, the poor man is greatly excited and wet through. We find the night very uncomfortable. Wednesday, June 27, Very wet morning ; water rushing in all directions ; the creek flooded ; gales of wind from the N.W. Went on the road with Moller, for him to point out the .very epot where he met Mr. Bown on Wednesday, the 13th instant. Through the bad weather, and the bush being so wet, only a few men engage in the search. Found that the violence of the wind had caused two trees to fall across the road. The telegraphic wire is broken in several places. Some volunteers clear the road. Returned to the camp, and found the men very busily engaged in keeping large fires, and drying their blankets and clothes. In the evening and in the rain, the men form large circles round the fires, and keep up the excitement by singing. Had a conversation with Moller in the evening. He is under the impression that if the missing party had been allowed to continue their road towards Nelson, he must have overtaken them about a mile and a half beyond Franklyn's Flat. I could prove that he was labouring under a mistake. Here is a problem for the young Nelson scholars, and ifc shall be called tfyo " Maungatapu problem." Mathieu's party leaves Franklyn's Flat at 1230, p.m., and travels at the rate of two miles and a half an hour. Crossing Franklyn's Creek, which is no distance from the Flat, they are met by a man and woman going to Havelock, and travelling at the same rate as Mathieu's party. About a mile and a quarter from Franklyn's Flat, the man and woman met Moller going to Nelson, he hears from them that Mathieu's party is not far ahead. He endeavours to overtake them, walking at the rate of four miles an hour. About three quarters of a mile, on the Nelson side of the road, Meller next met Mr. Bown on horseback, supposed to travel at the rate of six miles an hour. Now, supposing that Mathieu'e party had proceeded quickly on their way to Nelson, the questions are: — First. At what distance from Frariklyn's Flat should they have met Mr. Bown, and at what time of the day ? _Second. At what distance from Franklyn's Flat would MSller have overtaken Mathieu' s party, and at what time of the day ? Thttbsday, June 28. In consequence of the weather being very wet, no search was made this day. At dark, packers arrived from Nelson with rumours that Levy was expected to confess, and tell where the bodies are to be found. The Maitai is so flooded that only men on horseback can cross it. Between seven and eight o'clock, p.m., Mr. J. Harley, from Nelson, brought the news that Sullivan had confessed, and that Mr. Shallcrass would meet the volunteers at the camp early on the next | day, to direct the search to the locality of the bodies. Great excitement in the camp, and numerous conjectures about the precise locality where the bodies are hidden. Three cheers were given for Mr. Harley for being tho bearer of such valuable news, and three additional cheers for the prospect of the search being so soon at an end. Feiday, June 29. Fine weather. The volunteers very anxiously awaiting the arrival of Mr. Shallcrass. They are not allowed to leave the camp until his arrival. A little before nine, a.m., Mr. Shallcrass arrived, and he and Mr. Saxton take the command of the whole party. The volunteers are marched to the Rock, and then only they receive the information where the bodies are likely to be found. The men enter the bush according to their numbers, and form a file. The incidents of the discovery of the bodies have already been described, and are well known to the public, therefore I shall sflbrten my extracts about that matter. Constable Flett discovered the first body, which was that of Mathieu. The bodies were brought down the hill and ceek to the road. In the meantime Constable P. Levy had been dispatched with eight volunteers to bring the body of James Battle, a fifth victim, who had been murdered and buried by the same suspected party somewhere about the Tinline bridge. It was found afterwards that the information given as to the spot where Battle was killed was not quite correct, and from that circumstance the body was only found and brought to Nelson four days after the discovery of the bodies of Mathieu, Dudley, Kempthorne, and De Pontius. The rain fell in torrents ; a great many visitors from Nelson. About eighty volunteers took the bodies to Nelson, accompanied by Mr. Shallcrass, who promised to send further information as to the whereabouts of the other body. I remained that night at tho camp with only a few men. Very uncomfortable night. I feel to have a very bad cold. I rolled myself in my blankets after having taken half a bottle of painkiller in a half pannikin of hot water and brandy. The whole of the night I feel to have a very BtroDg fever and headache. Satubday, June 30. In the morning I felt greatly relieved. The wind is strong but the weather fine. I send again a few men to explore the road towards Havelock side, for the finding of the body of J. Battle. Engaged in taking a few sketches at Franklyn's Flat. Determined to go to Nelson to-day, as my feet are a little better. Started in company with Mr. Taylor and W. Price, taking sketches along the road, and arrived in Nelson about dark. Sunday, July 1. The funeral of Mathieu, Kempthorne, Dudley, and De Pontius, takes place. Monday, July 2. About twenty volunteers again started from Nelson to search for and bring into town the body of James Battle, as information had been given of the precise locality where it is to be found. Tuesday, July 3. Battle's body is found, and brought in to Nelson to-day. Here ends my notes taken about the Bearch — an event which those engaged in will never forget as long as they live. I also take this last opportunity of expressing my sincere thanks to those who joined the search, as well as to those who contributed otherwise to its assistance.