THE NATIVE MINISTERS LETTER.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVIII, Issue 1868, 14 May 1863, Page 2

THE NATIVE MINISTERS LETTER.

There will be found below the letter addtessetl by the Native Minister to King Matutaere and also a letter of the lion W. Man tell to tbe Natives iv this Province. Regarded as an official manifesto, the former communication is important. It shows clearly that his Excellency is determined, not only to punish the murderers but all who aid or abet them ; and it also shows in an uninistakeable way, how weak the King movement must be, when its nominal head is unable to control his subjects. To Matulaera, to Tepaea, to Wiremu Tamihana* to Patara, to all the tribe. Taranaki, 7th May, 1803. Salutations,— This is the word of the Governor to you all about what has happened here. On the 4th April, he went quietly on to his own pieceupon thewordswhichhe had declared publicly to the Ngatiawa people, and to the Taranakis and to the Southern tribes. He was wolcomod there by the people of Hauvanga, and by Hoane and his people. Letters were written to him from William Matakateafrom Arama Kavaka, and from all his people to say that there would be no disturbance from them. The Ngatiawa's also consented there should be no disturbance about Tataraimaka; The Governor then proceeded with the work that he had been long considering to put an «nd to the quarrels of the Ngatiawa, and let them all live in peace together at Waitara. While he was upon this work of peace lie suddenly heard that Parcngi Kingi and Patukai had planted am. buscades, some said to cut off our people—some said to capture the Governor; and to hurt no one but the Governor or the General, but that Tamati One had sent down and dispersed the ambuscade. This was on Sunday, 26th April. On the 4th May, the murderous work of PsUukai was accomplished. One party of soldiers, consisting of five men encorling carts with provisions for the soldiers at Tataraimaka, left the Poutoke on that morning. Another party left Tataraimaka at the same time early on Monday morning, with carts coming in to Poutoko. When the Poutoko party got near to Oakura, they heard a vol'ey fired from an ambuscade. At thai moment the Tataraimaka party, as they were coming along the beach, had been fired into by an ambuscade, and eight men were murdered, and a ninth man wounded. "This ninth man returned to Tataraimaka. Among the murdered men were tsvo officers and two sergeants. Their bodies were brought into town, and have been bur'ed to-day. They were tomahawked after they had been wounded by the volley. The officers were stripped of their clothing, the carts were taken up by the murderers to Parenga Kingi's pa in the range. Immediately the Governor heard of it, 200 soldiers were sent out to Oakura, and have built a redoubt there. Consider now this work of murder committed upon unoffending men, and without the slightest provocation, and after the Governor had been welcomed when he wont in peace upon his land. Consider also that this work is professed to be done in the name of Matutaere. Consider that the Governor, was not at war with any tribe, and had told the Southern people J that he did not wish to touch their land. Censider that the whole world will look with horror upon this crime, which is the second that, these people have committed. Now is the time for you to show the truth of your words of Peace, and to declare in the face of all the world, that you will not participate in this course of secret murder. Tho Governor knew that you tried to prevent violence at the Awamutu, and he knows how your words were trampled upon at first, but that in the end you allowed it to take place. j But to-day, a dark and treacherous act has been done, ftnd the Governor solemnly calls upon you, his old friends, and the children of his old and tried friend, Potatau.as men and Christians, to separate yourselves now, once and for all, from the people who have committed it, and leave them to the just retribution, which will assuredly visit them. All w,ho take part with those murderers, he will treat as murderers — they must choose between I the two. The Governor has not stopped in his peaceful work about Waitara. Yesterday, Honiana, Tamij haria, Erueti, and many others from Mataitawa, ■ came to see him and declared their abhorrence of this proceeding of Taranaki, and their willingness to come to an agreement to return peacefully to Waitara. Mahau and all Taylor's people also desire that a friendly agreement should become to. The Governor has said that he does not wish to keep any land there if tho Ngatiawas will live in peace upon it. There is no more any real quarrel about Waitaraifohe Ngatiawa consent to be re-united there. I send up your friend Mr. Rogan, to speak to you. Let him know your thoughts quickly, that he may send mo word. Fromyouv friend, F. D. Bkll.

To all the Chiefs and. People of Ponehe, Porirucc Kapiti, Wanganui, TVairarapa, and the Coast. My Dear Friends, — At tho request of your friend Mr Bell, the Minister for Native Affairs, I have printed for your information, the letter which the Governor has caused to be written to Matutaeva about the murderous work of Patukai. My friends, listen to me, your constant friend of long ago— consider carefully these words of MiBell, and follow the advice which he gives you — it is from his loving and forbearing spirit towards you that these words issue. I too have this word to say to you ; let us not allow the work of bad men to trouble us hero, but let us dwell together in peace and brotherly love. I, you know, well, desire nothing but your welfare. It is with a hope of aiding you in your difficulties, that, remembering our old friendship, I consent to act for te Pere here, nnd that my advice and assistance ia always cheerfully given to allwho come to me — and I say, let not our sky be darkened by the storms of the North — but in all our difficulties let us seek firet tho path of peace, and that, only, for on that alone will rest tho good word of natives, and the blessing of God. From your friend Walter Mantell.