Thursday, June 29.

New Zealand Gazette and Wellington Spectator, Volume IV, Issue 277, 2 September 1843, Page 10 (Supplement)

Thursday, June 29.

[Before A. M'Dokald and D. Monro, Esqrt.] Frederick Tuckett: I left Nelson in the New Zealand Company's boat on the 27th of May, for the Wairau, for the purpose of examining the state of 'the surveys at that time in progress there. On the following Friday night, (June 2,) I reached Tory Channel, where I learned that Rauparaha and Rangihaeata had come over from Porirua in a Captain Toms schooner, and that several canoes full of natives had also gone on to the Wairau. I was also informed by some natives that an altercation had already taken place between -the Maories and our people, and they asked if I knew how many were killed on either side. On hearing this, I determined to proceed direct to the Wairau, which I reached on the following day. On landing at the rpouth of that -river, I found Mr. Cotterell and his men there, who informed me that on the proceeding day the native chief's, Rauparaha and R'angihaaata, had been at his station on the river Opama, and compelled him to desist from surveying; that they had. burnt' his house and tent, excepting the canvass covering, and orjdered him to remove ; that they forcibly took his effects and removed them to the mouth of the river,; and that the native chiefs had informed him that they would com-^ ,pel all the other surveyors to bring their effects -down likewise, and had gone up to Mr. Barnicoat's for that purpose. I then sent Mr. Cotterell to Nelson with a note for Capt. Wakefield, in which I stated that I should endeavour to remain at the Wairau until 1' received instruct tions from him. I went up the same .evening to the site of Mr. Cotterell's warrie. which" had been burnt. On the Monday morning following (June 5,) I went up the river to Mr. Parkinson's station, where a party of natives had just arrived, and had taken possession of it. They were all armed with fire arms and tomahawks. They informed me that they were sent by Rauparaha to stop the survey. I sent a message to Rauparaha by them, to inform him that I had come to see the surveys that I wjis going to Kaipara-te-Hau, and that I should return on Wednesday, when I would see him. On my return from that expedition, I found Rauparaha and Rangihaeata, and Mr. Parkinson and his party. They (the chiefs) told me that they would stop the surveys. They talked about utu, and ordered us to be off; and some of the natives began to pull up the pegs of my tent, and did allthey could to hurry' me from the ground. Feeling convinced that they would force me to leave the place, Imadeup my mind to do so, haying accomplished the object of my i journey in visiting the district of Kai-para-te^ Hau. I therefore ordered my men to pack up my things ready for departure. They (the natives) told me I must remove the effects of the surveyors and their men in my l&rge boat, and go away .at once tp Ocean Bay. ''I replied, that •they might do what they pleased with the things, that I should- nor attempt to prevent their removal by force, but that I should.not consent to it, or be a party to their doing so, nor would '1 leave the place whilst the others remained. I then proceeded down the river 'to the pah at its month, accompanied by the chiefs" Rauparaha and Rangihaeata, each with his followers m a large canoe', where I remained until Sunday, owing to i the bad weather. J.found Mr. Barnicoat r there, who informed ifif that iho natives IradTeinbved hfe effects, i>iit that tiie cbiefe "had used, their influence in "restraining their people^rQmafrjpropri^^n^any of #s effects or commritlrig 'any'Tioience.*'- Before we' ' descended tneriverj JH Ad £Ke ; chiefs that*l should despatch Mr. rajMhson o/e'rjafyd' tp ST'elßcin, but'they refused to, alWhii^ tip'd'epart. I €bW them at'the iame time that I haft "despatched Mri'Coftereirto'Nefton. rj 0n Sunday, Juhe 11, Heft Uje yv*fliruafpr'ljdsdn, %Srd ! met rtheJEro'vernrne'hlt hrigen'the•ffillowing^ti&day,"haviilg qi» froard Mr. Tnompsoo/GB^.^ißefieid, and other magistrate "'bound for the Wairiiff,' Capt. "WaJkefield 'requested' me "td 'go along*" with them, with my party, whSjh I did. On" 'Thur^ day evening. Jane 15, the majprSty of the party landed at the triouih of tne'-Wairua, shd d,n the following morning' ffaey wer^ joifi^d by^ trie rerttain-der, when atfas weredist^tifea Amongst the'in, and we aU prbbeeded pp 'the right battle of fhe river. We met' Piiaha »,nel a- parnr'cfiF natives who had 'been' clearing lafnd oh the .nank of tHe jfVer, Ijtte hafl beeti niterrpptea'iby'ftauparaha, and had setmratea-themselVes from hiiri. These natives appreareff frfarmed 'at the Bjgfct of thi arrhid forci ■ ■ ¥ut STf-ThompJori •tifl*ia«id

to Puaha that the object of his journey ; had no reference to Him or his party,hutthat he had a warrant against Rauparaha and Rangihaeata on a charge of arson, which he showed him. ' Mr. Thompson then explained to Puaha that no force would-be used towards these chiefs, hut that they must accompany him on board the brig, where the case wpuld be investigated by. himself and the other magistrates who had accompanied him. Puaha replied that Rauparaha and .Rangihaeata would not but believe that they (the magistrates) meant to make war upon them if they saw the armed men. He consented to convey a message to them explaining the object of our visit. Further up we perceived a party of natives on the opposite side of the river, who were likewise chiefly resident natives. They were also informed of the object of the mission, and that it did not concern them. We encamped that evening near that spot, and shortly after doing so the Company's boat arrived. These natives informed us that Rauparaha and Rangihaeata were further up the river. On the following morning our party, then consisting of about 50, proceeded up the river. They were all armed with the exception of four or five gentlemen. Proceeding a few miles up the river, we landed near a small wood, where we observed some smoke. On approaching this place we discovered that the natives were there, but that we were separated from them by a deep and narrow stream, up which their canoes were hauled. We requested to be provided with a canoe to pass the stream, which .was furnished by a native called Piccawarro, in which the Police Magistrate, Captain Wakefield, myself, Mr. Cotterell, Mr. Patchett, Brooks (the interpreter,) and the chief constable crossed over. At first we found only Rauparaha, to whom the warrant was shown and Us purport explained by the Police Magistrate, who requested'him to go on board the .Government brig, where the charge which had been brought against him by Mr. Cotterell would be investigated. Rauparaha said he was willing to go iuto the matter there, but he would not go on hoard the brig, and that if he wasaatisiied with the decision on the spot, he would pay the utu there. The Police Magistrate then informed him that he must go on board the brig, and that he might have any of his people to go along with.him, but he refused to go. The Police Magistrate then demanded whether he would go or not, to which he replied that he would not. The Police Magistrate then said "You will not? There are our armed , men, they shall fire on you all." On this sixteen natives sprung to their feet and presented fire arms. A native of the Bay of- Islands, who was present, interprctedto them, and told them every word that was said. Rauparaha was again called on to surrender, accompanied with the same threat. Rangihaeata then stepped forward and defied the power of the magistrates; he was very vehement, and said that they- (the natives), did not go to England to interfere with the white people, and more to the same effect, and why should they interfere with him ? Puaha then came forward with a bible hi his hand, and prayed them to refrain from strife: The dialogue between Rauparaha, Rang&aeata, and the Police Magistrate then became so hurried and vehement that it was impossible to follow what was said. Feeling convinced that a conflict would speedily ensue, I then recommended to Captain Wakefield that we should return to the other side of the stream, where our force was. We accordingly, having obtained the consent of the natives, laid one of their canoes across the stream, and were in the act of passing over, when Captain Wakefield (probably observing a inoveinent-on the part of the armed natives to interrupt Mr. Thompson) sprung up, and called out in a loud tone, " men, forward ! Englishmen, forward I " Four or five men then advanced upon the canoe, and at that moment I heard the discharge of a musket, but from what party I cannot say, and instantly a volley was fired by the natives, which was answered from our side. I then got to the opposite side and remained in the bush for some time, whilst a brisk fire'waskept up on both sides. Some one then called out to. me that our party were retreating up the hill, in which direction I followed, and observed Captains Wakefield and England and Mr. Howard endeavouring to form the men on the first eminence, but they continued to press on. Captain Wakefield, finding that several had already fallen, ' called out to the men to lay down their arms, in order to avoid the loss of life inevitable on their "dispersion. The gentlemen of the party dnd the men who were nearest them laid down their arms, in token of surrender, and Mr. Howard and Captaui England advanced towards the natives holding .out a white handkerchief to indicate oiuTdesire of peace, but those of our party who were the most in advance pushing up the hill continued to fire on the native, who" fired at them and also at' iis, oh which we started to 'our feet and followed our men up the hill to stop their firing. Most of our party then went up the hill. ' 1' descended the hill, followed hy two of our party. I saw Mr. Cbtterell surrender ; a»d on the next eminence the tesFof tHe J party awaited the coming up "of the natives. HdVing separated from niyparty, I made "the 1 hesl '6Vv& wtfy towards the Sea shore', Onthewjiyll oVertook seven of ©mtnen. Near White's' Bay We found a whale hoal, in which we 1 reached the Government brigf. Two bdatfr were 1 serit'frbni her to 'rfange alongshore,- in or&£'to''pick ujr any of oar party whd might hbve ; gained the beach, but none wdrje foiind. AfteYdusk tfe sailed for to procure aUrfeicifl'afcsitftance for the wounded, ana aid'bf the'authdritrea there ib rescue "our; companions. We^readliea 1 Wellington toe next mtfrrrihg, when I ga#e all the information respecting' this affair. After , several days' delay fromiadverse winds; the ! brig returned to'Clotidyß^y with. the'M&Hstrates, Mr. Spain {'the Land Comrnlssidner^anji the •Protector of Aborigines. We ' we're 5 unable to land until the- second <sfiy (Saturday .) ;We were informed of ' the dreadful minrders committed on tlje whole of dor' party Who had surrendered to the natives. We round tbMt Mr. Ironside had .already Repaired to the spot, and was occupied In searching for and niteVrmg fhe remains of 'the deWet. We joined him on'pahirday. The fetidfe* of two men, Cle^nthy 2nd Radcliffe, were 1 found dfter'we' arrived.' Mr. Ironside h*d v j^revipi|«ly iatfrred se>en*een bodies. stt' T w«" infaoasible , to' rSmo've them

{without delaying the departure of the brig. ; Their interment on the spot, under all the cir^ 'cumsfances of the case, had the approval of the nearest relative of any of the deceased, and I ! believe we were nearly unanimous in regarding the field of blood as the fit place for sepulture.

[Before A. M'Donald, and* G. Duppa, Esqn..] . Richard Peanter: I was one of the party who went down to the Wairau inf the Government brig, for the purpose of apprehending Rauparaha and Rarigihaeata. I landed on the morning of the 16th, and we proceeded up the river to the large wood the same day, where we remained that night. In our way up, we saw three or four canoes and a whale boat lying' at anchor between the shore and the large wood, the natives having landed ; and we met a party of natives under a chief called Puaha coming down. Mr. Thompson informed them of our intentions, and bent them forward to acquaint Raupharaha and Rangihaedta that he had come to arrest them in the Queen's name for burning Mr. Cotterell's hut. At the place where we stopped for the night, we met with three other canoes at anchor, and the natives to whom they belonged afterwards joined us and remained with us until dusk, when they went up the river to join the remainder of their party; A watch was then set, to ascertain whether they came down the river again. On the following morning we proceeded up the river in the boats as far as we could get them, and then landed. We then proceeded across the fern and flax towards the place where we heard the Maoriea. On arriving in sight of them we discovered that we were separated from them By a narrow stream. Some of our party then crossed the brook by means, of a canoe. Those who crossed over were the Police Magistrate, Captain Wakefield, Brooks the interpreter, and several other gentlemen, but the armed force remained on this side. I heard Mr. Thompson say that he had nothing to do with the land; that he had come to arrest them in the Queen's name for burning the hut. Mr. Thompson then called out to Mr. Howard to bring down part of the men, as there were more natives there than he expected. Mr. Howard took down half of the met), and ,they were afterwards joined by the remainder. The men were passing over the brook by mean's of a canoe as v bridge : part of them were over and a part in the canoe, when a gun was discharged by, I believe, one of our party, but I believe it to have been by accident. On the discharge of this gun the Maories poured a volley amongst us, which was immediptely returned. Seeing many of our party standing close by the canoe, I told them to go farther to the left; where they would be able to see the natives better, which they did. Those on the opposite side then crossed over to us, a constant fire being kept upon both sides. Mr. Patehert. immediately after crossing, was sh&t in his left side, within three yards of where I was standing. There was. then a general rejreat towards the hill. Mr. Howard called out to Ihe.pien to keep together. We still kept advancing.up the hill tilLwe arrived at the second .brow. J saw Mr. Cotlerell sitting -down. He said to me "Dick> this is poor work;" I said " Como up the hill." I saw>lr. Thompson, Captain Wakefield, and the other gentlemen on the second brow. Captain Wakefleld then ordered all the men to throw down their arms, which some ot them did, but some others .continued firing. Captain Wakefield thenrtold Brooks to tell the Maories to cease firing. The whole party, with the exception. of some that accompanied me, then retreated down a valley towards the right, to give themselves up. I saw Mr. Cotterell "deliver himself up the first. .When I was on the hill I saw Mr. Tuckett retreating across the' plain, with five or six others. I and my party then advanced towards them, and joined them on the beach, where we got into a whale boat and escaped t6 the Government brig On the same evening the brig sent two boars on shore to look out for any of our party who ipight have escaped, but none were found*' ' .Friday, June 30. [Before A.'M'Dpnald, Esq.] ;Peter Crew : I sailed from Nelson about tjhe 13th of May last to join Mr. Parkinson's survey at?the Wairau. Five or six days after wee tar ted we arrived at Jackson's Place, in Queen Charlotte Sound, at about one o'clock uitfee morning. At about eight o'clock on the same morning, a person named. George Tpms cflrngpver to Jackson's Plage, where be informed me that feehad been over to Ponrua in the schoprier ThTM Brothers, to fetch the Maories, about seventy in all, including Rauparaha and RangiliaeHjX He said he was going po take them dovy» fa the Wairau, and had killed a bullock for tbem, and had also fiirnished th^m with sprng tpmabqwjfc; A natfve called Japjcy said he (Tojne) bad giyen them ten. The sphopjjej- Th?res fyrtfterj ws&. lying in the Sound at the tintejye ajrrived the**,. ; an4di4 not le^e untij ike morning: after. The natives never landed that Ism, i heard Toorc say that his land w.aa jail right— thaf fed sbonid get it no# . On the Mbwing jnomi'fig JXteew sailed £>? *hs Wjujrw*. Qtf thef day ft&er'tPf. started for €kudy L Bay., where wje armed in* 9MB€ trmwg- I. saw* $h« scbooBe* lying *he&£ with the uatjyejj oji board, bjit "do opt leap* ijberp tb§%' vere tended, I temaimed abojat e^gJ»Td»£s j» Cloudy. Bj»y «od fcbert'wjwit up** Mr- P*?HinW)Q'3 sufV/eyfttagon. " " * ' $»t]ir^»y, July \. £Befor« A. M-'Donald and 6. Pupjia, 9Eeqn^ Thoma^ HAJijjrAM i I am one of thepCTsifes who returned $$'*#. tu^tett'ind Wi^(&Mr to the Wairau Ok $ht Gorerjaivnit bftg."*fift?eS' Mr. Thdtnp'rion and! tlie r 6tlier' gentlentfen crossed the river, Mr. Howard anTXantain England remained behind w-idi'iW tiaen, T/ who were divided into two parties. I heard Mr. Thompson, through Brooks, the interpreter, teliaanpuraiikWd Baiigiha^fM tbafc h»4 qqjq£ jq Aw^'s *§m M hut. "I'tneii nnd^tood'that they Both' refusea ro submit'- "Mr. tnomison-iSen^le^bmo^Kff/ How«rd 4hf t lhey"(ffie -g«nCienMSJi) Were 'k^t di*P gerpus ppjitipj^ and told" ham |p jidog dowaapj^t o/^bif mw. %jr. Inward iepM I**4s rm i scrvancecL with' iftve*nceeii men towards the canoe! AVfhef wei** cfossi^'the &*££,"&%' wmttt^ifltf