THE LATE THREATENED MASSACRE AT COROMANDEL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume II, Issue 456, 29 April 1865, Page 7

THE LATE THREATENED MASSACRE AT COROMANDEL.

We are now in possession of the official correspondence relative to the intended attack on the settlers at Coromandel by the Pai Mairires. As will be seen tne settlers of that district hare had a narrow escape from destruction, and we cannot award too much praise to the Superintendent and Provincial Executive for the judgment and energy with which they met the occasion. The several letters will be read with interest, from the first warning given to the Superintendent of the threatened mischief, to the official report of the Civil Commissioners after his investigation of the ease and his interview with the Pai Mairire fanatics. The main facts, and much of the details, are the same as those published by us at the time of their occurrence. The correspondence will, however, bo read with interest. Coromandel, April 2, 1865. Dear Sir, —I receiveod intelligence yesterday from a pretty good authority, to the effect that Ngatiporous intend to make a descent on this Bettlement. It appears that emissaries" of the Pai Mairire superstition have arrived at Kennedy's Bay from the South, and are using their influence to excite the natives of that place to revolt. From what I can learn, their mission has been attended with too much success. Next Friday is the day on -which they have agreed to come over. They are to bring over several horses for sale, and -while engaged in selling these horses they are to raise a dispute and commence the onslaught. I learn also that Alexander McGregor is particularly marked for destruction, the priest of the Pai Mairires having declared that he must be sacrificed at any cost. McGregor is at present in town. I shall learn more in a day or so, and will forward any information I may receive. The populace here are entirely without arms, and -would consequently fall an easy prey to any band of fanatical marauders ■who may choose to make a raid'on the place. I feel confident that there is some truth in the intelligence, but they (the Pai Mairires) may alter their minds before the day appointed. I cannot disguise from myself the fact that their object could be carried but without the least difficulty should they persist in so doing. I have no other news at present to communicate, and remain, &c., D. Tookey. P.S.—I have taken steps towards -warning all Europeans to be on the alert, and the natives of Coromandel have gone over to Kennedy's Bay to learn, &c,

{Copy of a letter to Moan&nui.) Translation. April 3,1865. To Meha"(Moananui), —Friend, salutations to you. This is a word to you to return, so that the whole tribo may assemble at one place tho Pai Mairire people are at hand. This is Tanowha 8 order, given at the meeting (tangi) about tho death of More Rahioi and Mailii, tlioy ore both asleep. If you cross over to Matariki, the whole tribe eay you are to coiuo quickly, as tho Pai Mairires are near. Tills i 8 all. (Signed) Kauama. Riokia. From Koputawaki. Memo. —To Moananui left Auckland about four days ago. H.M.S.S. Brisk, at Auckland, April 5, 1865. Sir, —I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of vour letter of this day's date, forwarding correspondence reporting a threatened attack upon the settlers at Coromandol by a party of tho Pai Mairiro fanatics, and I liavo to inform you that I havo sent IT .M.S.S. Eclipse to protect that settlement. She sails at midnight, and will be at Coromandol by daylight to-morrow morning. I have, &c., CnABLE9 W. HOPE, Captain. His Honor tho Superintendent, Auckland. Superintendent's Office, Auckland, April 5,1865. Sir, —I have tho honor to inform you that I have caused to be placed on board tho Sir John Burgoyne (he arms and accoutrements noted in the margin (150 rifles, 12 barrels ammunition, caps, and accoutrements, 100 muskets, 6 barrels ammunition, caps and accoutrements), and hereby commit the same to your charge. I have dono so in the absonco of His Excellency the Governor, believing, from the intelligence T havo received, that it is likely occasion for their distribution among the settlers and friendly natives at Coromandol may arise forthwith. I have to direct that you retain possession of theso arms, &e., on board the vessel until you are certain tho necessity for distributing them has arisen, and that in the case of the natives you will only entrust arms, &c., to such as you can depend upon, not only to use them for a proper purpose, but also to return them to you, or c tlier officer appointed by tho Governor to receive tliem, when called upon to do so. I have, &c., Bobkkt Gbaham, Superintendent. James Mackay, Jun., Esq., Civil Commissioner, Auckland. Superintendent's Office, Auckland, April 5, 186-5. Sir,—l have the honour to transmit a copy of a letter from Sir. Commi'sione'- Mackay to myself, enclosing another from Mr. Lawlor, Resident Magistiate at Coromandel. By this you will see that grave apprehensions are entertained ,or tho safety of the Coromandel settlers. I have given orders for providing them with arms and ammunition, and have taken all such steps as lay in my power to provide against surprise. In the absence of tho Government 1 take the liberty of suggesting to you the propriety of dispatching "one of her Majesty's ships at once to Coromandel, as the presence of a man-of-war in the vicinity may prevent bloodshed. I have, &c., Robert Gkauam, Superintendent. Captain C. W. Hope, H.M. S.S. Brisk, Auckland.

Superintendent's Office, Auckland. April 5, 1865. Sir, —In consequence of intelligence having been received that some of the settlers on the east coast have hern threatened by tho Pai Mairire natives, I have the honor to request that you will detain the steamer Sir John Burgoyne a few hours, until Mr. Commissioner Mackay (who proceeds to Coromandel iu her) is ready for embarkation, and -who will give instructions to the captain should further delay be neccssary. I have, &c., (Signed) Kobebt Graham, Superintendent. Robert John King, Esq. Superintendent's Office, Auckland, April 6, 1865. Sir, —I havo this day received information from Coromandel causing me to entertain great apprehension for the safety of the settlers in that district, wlv are in expectation of an attack by a party of Pai Mairires. In the absence cf the Government I have thought it my duty to take every precaution warranted by the circumstance? of the case, and among others, to place immediately in the hands of the settlers the means of self defence. I therefore request you to issue arms, ammunition, and accoutrements, according to the schedule enclosed. Tho case being urgent, I trust- that you will not insist upon a prior reference to the General Government. (Signed) Robert Graham, Superintendent. The Deputy Quartermaster-General, Auckland. Schedule of Anns Required for the Use of the Settlers at Coromandel by the Provincial Government. 150 rifles. 12 birrels ammunition, caps, and accoutrements. 100 muskets. 6 barrels ammunition, caps, and accoutrements. (Signed) Robert Graham, Superintendent.

Auckland, April 5, 1865. Sin, —I have the honour to inform you that two natives, named Makau and Huma respectively, arrived here yesterday evening, with intelligence that a party of Pai Mairire fanatics had arrived at Kennedy's Bay, from Whakatane and Mataora (near Katikati, Tauranga) ; and there appears to he reason to fear that they will attack the settlers at Kennedy's Bay and Coromandel. These men were despatched from Coromandel with a letter from the chief Moananui, who was supposed to be there. I do myself the honour to enclose a copy of the same herewith. 1 have seen the men, and they state that a half-caste woman had arrived at Coromandel from Kennedy's Bay, and she has cautioned the Europeans there to be on the alert, as they may be attacked by the fanatics. The chief Tanewha is reported to have sent three messages to these Pai Mairire people, ordering them to leave the district. Tanewha wished to send me a letter by the two natives, but they refused to wait for it. I have this morning applied to the captain of H.M 5.3. Brisk to send H.M. S.S. Eclipse to Coromandel, but he declines doing eo without instructions from ihe G-overnor. Under these circumstances I consider it my duty to proceed to Coromandel forthwith, and will endeavour, with the assistance of the friendly chiefs to securc the safety of the European population. At themomentof closing this' letterlhave received a letter from Mr. Lawlor, who is now very ill at Onehunga, enclosing one from his interpreter Mr. Tookey. I encloso a copy of the same herewith. Your Honor may rest assured that I will make the utmost exertion to prevent any Eerious disaster to the settlers at Coromandel or Kennedy's Bay. I have. &c., (Signed) JameS Mackay, Jun., Civil Commissi'" ner, Hauraki. P.S.—I would recommend that some arms should be sent to the settlers and for the friendly natives. (Signed) James Mack ay, Jun, Militia and Volunteer Office, Quartermaster-General's Department, Auckland, April 7, 1865. Sir, —In reply to your letter dated the sth instant, enclosing a requisition for arms and accoutrements marginally enumerated [150 rifles, 12 barrels ammunition with proportion of caps, 150 sets of accoutrements, 100 musketß, 6 barrels ammunition, caps, &c. ; accoutrements], and urgently required for the use of the settlers at Coromandel and adjoining settlements, I have the honour to acquaint you that, under the circumstances stated by you, I have directed th;> storekeeper to issue the same, pending the approval of Ministers. You will be good enough to give the usual receipt for the same. I have, &c , J. H. Haeuison, Captain, Act. Quartermaster-General. Hie Honor the Superintendent.

H.M. s.s. Eclipse, Coromandel, April 7,1565. Sir, —I have the honour to inform you that I left Auckland, in tho s.s. Sir John Burgoyno, on tho ovening of tlie 6th instant, for Coromandel, for the purposo of ascertaining the correctness of a report that tho natives intended attacking the settlers there and at Kennedy's Bay. I arrived at, Coromandol at 4.30 a.m. on tho sth, and proceeded immediately to Waiau, and placed myself in communication with tho infuontial chief To Tanewlia Kitahi. He appeared to be of opinion that tlie rumours were correct, and stated that ho had ordered the Pai Mairire fanatics, then at- Kennedy's Bay, to leave that neighbourhood. I then went to ICapanga, accompanied by To Tnncwha, IJawiri To Ua, l'unipi, and Benata Tanowha. Wo found that H.M. s.s. Eclipse had just arrived in the harbour. As thero was a considerable excitement among tho European population, and a feeling of uneasiness on the part of tho resident natives, I deomcd it. advisable to convono a public meeting of both races, and to endeavour to investigate tho origin of tho report in question. Nearly tho whole population, native and European, attended this meeting, but, I could not obtain any very satisfactory information. Tho report forwarded by Mr. lookey, in his letter of tho 2nd instant- was confirmed, so far as tlio conveying of tho intelligence from Kennedy's Bay was concorned, hut tho natives of that place wero stated to havo sinco denied having entertained any hostilo intentions. This was, however, generally considered to bo tho result of the pressure which had been brought to bear on the in by To Tanowha, Pita Taukaka, and other friendly natives, and also on account of their plot, being discovered and frustrated. The European inhabitants requested to bo armed, and I consented to leavo fifty stand of arms, subject to certain conditions ; but as they did not take the nccessary stops to land tho samo, and as tho immediate danger had been overcome, I do not now consider myself justified in assuming tho grave responsibility. I would, howover, strongly recommend that tho Government should supply tho settlers in that district with arms and ammunition sufficient for their defence in event of any unexpected attack from the natives. Captain Freemantlo of H.M.S. Eclipso, having landed, we consulted together as to tlio etato of affairs, and I requested him to proceed with us to Kennedy's Buy. He agreed to do so. Wo accordingly loft Coromandel tho same attornoon, taking with us the influential chiefs To Tanowha, Kitahi, Bawiri Te Ua, Pita Taukaka, Karaura, Punipi To Pararewa, Makoare, "enata, Mohi, and Tame Te Pake. We arrived at Kennedy's Bay about 8 110 p.m. On landing there 1 proceeded to Mr. McGregor's place, accompanied by the natives above menioned. Mr. McGregor stated thero were sevoral Pai Mairire fanatics from Whataora (noar Katikati) at the pa on tho opposite sido of tho river. Ho stated that thev were inclined to be troublesome, and about midnight on Sunday, the 12nd, two ol them had come to his place much excited, and talked about some report respecting a threat that ho was _to be murdered, and his head to he cut off. A lialf-casto woman, named Hoana, had previously warned Mr. McGregor that tho Pai Mairiro fanatics intended killing him. The natives and myself then went to the natives' pa, where the wide of the residents and Pai Mairiro fanatics were assembled. I informed them ot the reports which bad been conveyed to Auckland. Tbev stoutly denied any hostile intentions, and declared they knew nothing of the origin of the intelligence which had Veen furnished to mo. I endeavoured to nersuade them to abandon the Pai Mairiro superstition, but they paid very little attention to my arguments against it. The chiefs of my party also spoke very strongly, and said they would assist the the Government in protecting the European settlers; and if the Pai Mairires could not live peaceably, they had better leave the district. After a very lengthy discussion I left them, and returned to Mr. McGregor's house at 1 a.m. On the morning of the Tth Mr. McGregor brough threo natives to his houso —Tamati Tuti, of the Ngapnhi tribe, his wife Hann, and a half-easte -woman named Hoana. These, ho stated, could give mo some important information. The woman Hoana said, " Pirihira and Herana, two of the Pai Mairivo party, told me about ten days ago, that as soon as they hail dug up their crops and housed the corn, they intended (the party of fanatics) going to the war, but before they left Kennedy's Bay they would, if Mr. McGregor and his party had any difference or dispute with them, kill the whole of them."

The}- then prococdcd to state, with respect to the reported attack on Coromandel. —" 011 Thursday (March 30), a r.ativo named Iferamai went to tho diggings, where Tamnti, Tate, Hoana, Pera Rakana, Te Paku, Hoani, Billy Bungun (a New Hollander), and mysc-lf were then residing. He came to our houfc. We asked him what was the news from Harataunga (Kennedy's Bay r) He replied, ' There is not anything particular; the Pai Mairiro people intend going to Coromandel 011 Friday week to see the race'.' lloi'.a and myself (EToana) then said, ' The Pai Mnirire had botterstop away.' He answered, ' "Why should they remain away. They "would go to the races. If tho Europeans interfered with them that would be enough—they would at once fijht. 'J hat place (the diggings) would then be a beginning of chopping fertile Pai Marire. We then said, "That will be wrong ; you will not be abic to stand before the Europeans, you will not be strong enou«U for them.'* Hana ihen told them to return to Matara with their women and elnldren, that they were living within the Queen's net. lie replied : " What is that to the parirau ?"' Hana and myself. Hana then answered : " You had better try on tho other side " (meaning Kennedy's Bay). Ho then said : " We ■will not quarrel with the Europeans there ; but if McGregor and his people aro impudent, we will then tomahawk those Europeans." This man Heremia was quito sober, and did not seem tho least intoxicated when lie had this conversation°wjth us. Ho then went to Kikowhakarcro and reported it to Messrs. Calloway and Do Thierry ; they told the other Europeans. I then requested these women to attend a meeting of the Kennedy Bay natives. They consented. Captain Freemantle and Lieutenant- Belson, of TI.M.S.S. Eclipse, having arrived, we proceeded to the native settlement. The whole of the residents and the fanatics to the number of about fifty persons, and a number of the Europeans having assembled, I read over the statement which had been made by the women above-mentioned, and I called for them for an explanation of it. Heromaia then said : " I went to tho house ; the women asked me what was tho talk of the parirau. I said,' They aro coming to the races.' The women answered they had better not como or they will be taken prisoners by the Europeans. I said it' I went alone I would hide my name (Pai Marire), but if a number went wo should say wc were parirau—would not hide it, so that if the Europeans interfered (quarrelled or objected), we would kill them." He wouid not admit that he had said anything about McGregor—about killing him or his people. Ho was then asked by a native named Itopata, " whether he heard, before leaving Harotaunga for Coromandel, that the natives intended attacking the Europeans at Coromandel or at Kennedy's Bay." He answered, " I did not hoar it here, but when the women agreed with mo I said that if the Europeans quarrelled with us we would kill them." The other natives still denied everything. I (hen said it appeared to mo there were some ten or twelve men at- Harotaunga. who belonged to Mataora, and although they pleased to deny the accusation, there was little doubt but they wero there with 110 good intention, and they had better agree to return to their own place at once. Te Tanenha, Kitahi, Rapioi, Te Ua, Puamipi, Te Pararena, Peta, Kaukaka, and Karawia all snoko to tho same ell'ect. They all concurred in my views of the case, and they would not allow strangers to disturb the peace of' the district. A considerable amount of discussion ensued, and some of the natives were inclined to be impudent. Somo (hreato wero also made respecting the women who had giren information against tlicm. I then told (hem that, they—that is, the Matana fanatics—must leave Harotaunga, and I gave them ten minutes to come to a decision. Before the expiration of thatperiod they consented to go away. 1 then arranged that they should leave in their boats within two hours. This was agreed to, rind they, to tho number of niueteen, left at the time stipulated. On reviewing the whole of the circumstances of the case, I am of opinion that a very great evil has been averted, and this becomes more apparent when it is known that at the native settlements at Cabbage Bay, Roputanaki, and Kikowhakarere, to tho northward of Coromandel, thero aro several Pai Mariro converts, who might, under tho influence of a blind superstition, be led to assist in an attack on their unarmed European neighbours. It is a matter for congratulation that the chiefs Tanenha, Kitahi, and Pitß

nnekaka remained firm in their loyalty, and threatnc tho conspirators, otherwise the result might have con disastrous to the European pettlers. n conclusion, I would beg to draw attention to ie service rendered by Eclipse ; I consider a • her presence did more than anything else in cowing the fanatics, and inducing them to leave the is net; 1 am afraid, but for tho moral influence 6ho xeiciPed, it would have bcentn difficult task for me o lavo removed them, without appealing to the ineuclly natives for assistance in tho *ompo of an armed force, I would beg to thank Captain Freenmntio for the zealous manner in which ho supported mw llr ?ughout, and also for tho very valuable advice and assistance rendered to me by him and the officers uu er his command. Mr. McG-rcgor applied to me lor some anna and ammunition. Finding that ho had s«ty Europeans _ working for him, and taking ic-to consideration their isolated and exposed position, and also thoir being -without any adequate means of defending themselves from any hostile native*, I took upon myself tho responsibility of furnishing him with tho warlike stores noted in tho margin. (50 rifle.-, 50 accoutrements, 3000 rounds ammunition, caps in proportion), I may obsorro that I considered myself justified iu doing so, from the fact of tho Government having supplied Mr. Craig of Wbangnpoa with arms under similiar circumstances. (Signed) Jamas Macky, Civil Commissioner, Hauraki. —April 14.