RETURN TO AN ORDER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1863 Session I, E-20

E.—No. 20,

RETURN TO AN ORDER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,

[Bated 19th November, 1868,]

" That there be laid upon the Table of this House Copies of all Correspondence between the Government and the Eesident Magistrate at Mongonui and others, relative to the proceedings of Pirimona, a Maori Minister, now travelling in the Northern parts of this Province." (Mr. Butler.)

AUCKLAND

1563.

E.—No. 20

No. 1. THE CIVIL COMMISSIONER, WAIMATE, TO THE HONORABLE THE NATIVE MINISTEB. Civil Commissioner's Office, Waimate, 9th October, 1863. Sib, — From the tenor of Mr. Clendon's letter, a copy of which I have the honor herewith to enclose to you, it would appear that the reports in circulation have a little perplexed that gentleman. I attach no importance to them, and merely send them to shew the Government that we are not without busy emissaries of the enemy, who would gladly undermine Ngapuhi loyalty and confidence in the Government. I think Mr. Clendon is mistaken in supposing, or giving credit that Pirimona, the Native Clergyman, is either the originator or circulator of these reports ; I have long ago heard of similar exaggerations, and I know that they are common in the South. The freak said to have been played upon the General (together with Aperahama Taonui's prophesy) must be amusing to that gallant officer; it carries on the face of it a perfect Maori fabrication, and is in character with many others continually in circulation. I shall probably meet with Pirimona in the course of a few days, who no doubt will be amused when he learns from me what has been said he has been doing. I have, &c., Geobge Claeke, Civil Commissioner. The Honorable the Native Minister, Auckland. Enclosure to No. 1. THE RESIDENT MAGISTRATE, HOKIANGA, TO THE CIVIL COMMISSIONER, WAIMATE. 'Eesident Magistrate's Office, Herd's Point, Hokianga, October sth, 1863. Sui — I consider it my duty to inform you that there are several reports in circulation tending to unsettle the Native mind, and to produce the worst effect amongst them. lam aware of the difficulty' of dealing with mischievous reports generally ; but, in the present instance, the author may not be without the reach of reprimand. Eeport Ist.—The Natives of AVaihou say, they have accounts of a fearful slaughter of Pakehas by king Natives: about two thousand said to be killed, and without loss to the Maori side ; they had this information from the Waimate, from a native named Pirimona, an ordained Minister, (said to be the author of all the late mischievous reports.)

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2nd.—At Ohaeawai, Pirimona said, in the presence of several natives, that the General had made a night attack upon some place that he supposed contained a large number of Waikato natives ; it was a large house, and had a number of doors on each side. The natives had made fires inside to deceive the General, who, supposing them to be sleeping, surrounded the house with one thousand men, and kept up a heavy fire of musketry for some time on the building, after which the doors were forced, and the military astonished at not finding any one inside. By the General's orders they retreated a short distance, lest they should be blown up with a mine. The Natives being in ambush a little way off, suddenly attacked the troops in the darkness, and killed fifty men without any casualty on their side; and the General, fearing to lose his prestige for gallantry and daring, hushed up the matter without reporting the loss of his men. This report Pirimona said had been circulated by the Eoman Catholics, and that he believed it. I beg to suggest that if Pirimona is still in the neighbourhood of Waimate, that you should send for him in reference to the report, particularly referring to the Eoman Catholics being his authority. I have also heard that some Eoman Catholic Natives in this river have said the French will soon be here to help the Natives, and what will become of the English then. I have, &c, .lames E. Clendon, Eesident Magistrate. The Civil Commissioner, Waimate.

No. 2. THE RESIDENT MAGISTRATE, MONGONUI, TO THE NATIVE SECRETARY. Eesident Magistrate's Court, Mongonui, November 2,1863. Sib — I have the honor to inform you that this district has been thrown into a great state of excitement by the reports circulated by the Eev. Pirimona Te Karari, a native clergyman of the Church of England, who is making a tour through the North. On his arrival here he brought me a note of introduction from Archdeacon Williams, stating that, as I had been in communication with the Bishop relative to the appointment of a native clergyman, 1 should no doubt be glad to see him, and that the Bishop hoped that Mr. Pirimona's visit would induce the natives to exert themselves with a view of carrying out my wishes. On Mr. Pirimona's arrival at my house I had some conversation with him relative to the natives of the district, and he left me the same afternoon, to visit the natives up the Valley, arranging to meet me at Kaitaia and Ahipara on his return from the North Cape. On the following Friday, 9th October, Captain Butler called upon me at the Eesident Magistrate's Court, and asked me if I had heard of Pirimona's conduct, as the natives had related to him strange tales of the successes of the Waikatos against the soldiers, and they (the natives) seemed very much excited. I told Captain Butler that I could not believe such tales, as Pirimona was an ordained clergyman, in whom I believed the Bishop had great confidence. Since that, until I met Pirimona at Kaitaia. in the presence of Mr. Puckey, on Wednesday, the 21st, the excitement had increased to such a pitch that, after consulting with Mr. Puckey, who had also been told strange tales by the natives, I thought it well to speak to Mr. Pirimona, Mr. Puckey acting as interpreter. Mr. Pirimona did not reply, and I then requested he would give me a written statement which I could show the natives, as, under present circumstances though the people are well disposed towards the Government, there were many wild youn<* men, who might, in a drunken fit, embroil the whole community in war. I received the enclosed statement from Timoti Puhipi, son of the Chief Puhipi, who stated he had been desired to give it to me from Mr. Pirimona. I have sent the original, and you will observe it is not signed. I have not shewn it to any natives, asl,as well as Mr. Puckey, considered it was more likely, as it appeared intended to do, to confirm the natives in the truth of the statements already made. After expressing my regret to Mr. Pirimona that he should have mixed himself up with'such a question, more particularly as he must be aware how untruthful some of these statements were, 1 cautioned him not to continue to excite the natives in the other places he visited (he was going to Hokianga and Kaipara), as it appeared he was acting more as an agent for Waikato than as a minister of religion. He promised he would not; but I have considered it my duty to inform the Government that for the first time the natives have expressed an utter disbelief of the statements put forth by the Government; and though lam perfectly aware of the disposition to exaggerate, and tho national vanity which would induce the natives to feel some pleasure in hearing of the prowess of their countrymen, though really enemies of their own, still they have ever shown a great regard for the Europeans and loyalty to the Government. The Chiefs at Ahipara warmly expressed this feeling to me at Ahipara after Pirimona left, and requested that I would ask the Government to allow six or seven of them to go with me to Auckland to see for themselves if it ■was possible that the Waikatos were likely to be successful to the extent of endangering Auckland.

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My own opinion is much in favor of this course being adopted after the troops have made a forward movement, as it would tend to dispel the doubt of our position ; and, moreover, a personal interview in Auckland with the Native Minister and the Governor, I am satisfied, would do more to satisfy the minds of the Chiefs than all the written communications which could be sent to them. I have taken the liberty to express my own views, as I have known these people for so many years that I am well informed of their views and feelings, and I am quite aware that overtures have been made to them secretly by the Waikato Chiefs ; and perhaps the indulgence of their wishes in this instance might be the means of saving much trouble and expense hereafter. Archdeacon Williams had heard of reports being circulated by Mr. Pirimona which excited the natives very much, and wrote to me asking me about it, and stating that his Lordship the Bishop would be much displeased at his conduct. I have sent the Archdeacon a copy of Pirimona's narrative of the war. I have, Ac, W. B. White, Eesident Magistrate. The Native Secretary, Auckland. Enclosure in No. 2. TRANSLATION OP STATEMENT SENT BY PIBIMONA TO MR. WHITE, MONGONUI. The Governor went to Taranaki and commenced to set his work straight there, and to make redoubts on his land at Tataraimaka. This land (Tataraimaka) is in the midst of Maori land (or is between Maori land). The Governor proposed to the Chiefs there that the road should be made as far as Tataraimaka. One of the Ngatiawa Chiefs, named Tamihana, said that it would not be right to make the road over Okurukuru, because that part was under or with the King. The Governor said, Do not listen to the King; his is a foolish policy ; that of the Pakehas is betterto give roads for all men (for the benefit of the public). Tamihana replied, "We have nothing to do with it; it rests with the King. Hearken, however, 0 Governor, if you make your road over Okurukuru it will be the cause of bloodshed between us (lit. [that place] will be a pool of blood for you and me)." When the survey was made, it was seen that the Governor spake truly when he said that the road should go to Tataraimaka through Okurukuru. A letter was at once written to Matutaera. On reaching the Ngatimaniapoto it was opened and read ; it never reached the King or Tamihana. It was replied to by Eewi and Herewini; they wrote a letter, and put this war song at the end of it: — " 0 ! 0 ! Who's that yonder, cutting up The fish of Ahiaroa? O ! O ! the pillow of the King falls. 0 ! 0 ! Kareanui gnaws at my heart. Plume of red ! Plume of red! Plume of the kaka. We'll sing our war song at Kawhia. Surprise! Surprise! Fire!" When this letter reached Taranaki the eight Pakehas were murdered at Taranaki. Thereupon war was made upon the Taranakis, and tho Taranakis' pa taken, and twenty-four Maoris killed. Sixteen fled and escaped. One Pakeha was killed. Now the Taranakis and Waikatos did not approve of this work of murder. All the men held back —none went to aid them. When those sixteen men saw that they would get into difficulty, they said that they r were merely workmen—that the Waikatos were the instigators. Hence it was that the war was turned upon Waikato. The Governor wrote a letter to the Chiefs of Waikato to ascertain what their opinions were in regard to that murderous deed of the Taranakis, but no reply was returned. The Governor therefore concluded that the Waikatos sanctioned that proceeding, and in consequence a notice was issued to the men of Mangere, Pukaki, Waiuku, Pokeno, Patumahoe, and the Kirikiri, that they- were to take the oath of allegiance and give up their arms. If they refused to give up their arms they were to go to Waikato. The consequence was that the men of Manukau left. On the Sunday the troops crossed the Mangatawhiri. The men of Waikato said that if the soldiers crossed the Mangatawhiri they would at once be fired upon. Six days after the Waikatos attacked them, and there fell, at the Koheroa, fifteen Maoris and two Pakehas. In the surprise at the Earn arama, on that same day, five Pakehas were killed and one Maori. One week after that fight there was another at the Kirikiri, in which seven Maoris fell, and one thousand and "eighty Pakehas were slain. The Maoris captured one hundred and fifty tents, two cannons, and two tents of powder. One officer was taken prisoner—his name was Kemara (Campbell ?). The soldiers cheered twice on account of the bravery displayed by the men (Maoris) in taking the things from a dead officer in the midst of the engagement, and on account of the bearing away of the body of a dead soldier in the midst of the fight. We heard this account from

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a man who was in the engagement. It was not, however, believed, nor was it published in the newspapers. It was only reported that a telegram had been received on the day of the engagement to the effect that a great battle was being fought at the Kirikiri, and that 2500 soldiers and 200 of the cavalry were surrounding the Maoris. No subsequent account was printed in the papers. The account (of the affair) came from the Maoris, who also gave the number of their dead as seven men. Afterwards the militia, who had taken part in the engagement, said that many of their number (the militia) had fallen, and that the thiugs captured from the soldiers were as mentioned above.

The fight at Paparata was a night attack by the soldiers ; the house was surrounded and fired upon by the soldiers. The Maoris, however, had moved out, and were sitting to one side. They (the natives) fired from where they were, a little distance from the house, and killed fifty soldiers —not a Maori was killed. It was those that buried the dead that told us of this engagement —it does not refer to what was told us by the people of the Native Office. I shall not say anything about the treacherous ambuscades of the Maoris ; I am ashamed to relate the evil deeds of my own people. It is true that these days are theirs ; it is payment, however, for their now being exterminated by the pakehas. I don't know- how peace can be made. Had Tamihana's policy been confirmed I should say that peace would soon be made. It is the Ngatimaniapoto that are behaving so badly. Tamihana and Mohi in vain order that no old men, women, children, or unarmed persons be killed. Rewi, who instigated the murders at Taranaki, was sent away with all his tribe; but the next thing we heard was that Mr. Armitage, the Resident Magistrate at Waikato, and two Pakehas, were murdered—by the Ngatimaniapoto—and when I left (Auckland) they were demanding that Waata Kukutai should give up Mr. Armitage's clerk to them to be put to death. This is a sign that they will soon be exterminated, as they attack unarmed men. The grounds that the Waikatos had for this war was the crossing of Mangatawhiri by the soldiers, and the Governor's (ground for war) was the murders at Taranaki. Each had a separate ground. Had his policy been confirmed, I should say to you that peace would soon be made; as it is, the Ngatimaniapoto have again joined (in the war or joined the Waikatos), and ambuscade murders are on the increase, so that the Pakehas' side now is quite straight. However, it will be for Him alone, who is up above, to say that there will be peace, and peace will be made.

pibimona's statement.

Haere atu a Te kawana ki Karanaki kei to whakatikatika i ana mahi i reira, kei te hanga paraki ki tona Whenua ki Tataraimaka, ko tenei Whenua ko Tataraimaki kei warenganui o to te Maori.

I mea atu Te Kawana ki nga Rangatira o reira, kia mahia te huarahi a tae noa ki Tataraimaka, mea mai ana tetahi o nga Rangatira o Te Atiawa, ko Tamihana te ingoa, ekore c tika kia keria te rori i runga o Okurukuru, no te mea kei te Kingi tena wahi, mea atu ana Te Kawana, kaua c whakarongo atu kite Kingi, he ritenga kuare tana, engari nga ritenga Pakeha, te tuku ite ara mo nga tangata katoa, mea mai ana a Tamihana, kahore he ritenga i a matou, kei te kingi te ritenga, otiia, kia rongo mai koe cTe Kawana, kite tika to rori na runga i Okurukuru, he hopua toto tena mo taua, no te ruritanga ka kitea, kua pono rawa te kupu a Kawana kia tika te ara ki Tataraimaka na runga i Okurukuru ; tuhia tonutia mai te pukapuka kia Matutaera, kei a Ngatimaniapoto, ka wahia, ka korerotia, kihai i tae mai kite Kingi, kia Tamehana ranei. ka whakahokia c Rewi raua ko Herewini, tuhia atu ta raua pukapuka, a, i te mutunga (ka) maka iho te ngeri nei ki roto. "E ! kowai ra tera c kotikoti mai ra ite ika a Hiaroa. "E! te urnnga oTe Kingi ka taka, "E! kareanui ka ngau i taku manawa," A puhikura puhikura puhikaka, ka whakatautapa ki kawhia huakina puhia tu. Te taenga o te pukapuka nei ki Taranaki, ka kohurutia nga Pakeha tokowaru i Taranaki, no reira ka whawhaitia a Taranaki horo katoa te pa o Taranaki, hinga iho e24 Maori i mate rawa. 16, i oma i ora, kotahi te Pakeha i mate rawa. Aianei ko Taranaki me Waikato kihai i pai ki taua mahi kohuru pahi katoa nga tangata, kihai i haere atu hei hoa mo ratou, Te whakaaronga o taua tekau ma ono ka mate ratou, katahi ka mea. he kai mahi kau ratou, na Waikato te ritenga, no reira ka huri mai te whawhai ki Waikato. tuhia atu te pukapuka aTe Kawana ki nga Rangatira a Waikato, Ida mohiotia c pehea ana ranei ta ratou nei ritenga mo taua mahi kohuru a Taranaki, heoi. Kihai i whakahokia mai he kupu, no reira, ka mea aTe Kawana kei te whakaae a Waikato ki taua ritenga, no reira ka whakaputainate pukapuka ki nga tangata o Mangerc o Pukaki o Waiuku, o Pokeno, o Patumahoe, o te Kirikiri, kia Oati i te Otai piri ki Te Kuini, me homai koki nga patu, kite kore ratou c pai kite homai i a ratou patu me haere atu ki Waikato: no reira ka haere nga tangata o Manuku. Te Ratapu ka whitinga hoia i Mangatawhiri. kua mea i Mangatawhiri ka puhia tonutia, c ono nga ra i muri iho. ka whakaekea mai c Waikato. hinga iho kite koheroa, 15. tangata Maori, c 2 Pakeha. no te huaki ki Ramarama i taua ra ano. e5, Pakeha i mate rawa, 1, tangata Maori, kotahi te Wiki i muri iho i tena whawhaitanga. ka whawhai ano kite Kirikiri, hinga iho 7 tangata Maori; 1080 Pakeha i mate rawa, riro atu i nga Maori", 150. nga Teneti, c 2 nga repo, 2 nga Teneti paura, 1 Apiha i hopukia hereheretia, ko Kemara te ingoa. 2, nga "jtiTotanga a nga hoai mo te maia o nga tangata kite tiki mai i nga mea a tetahi Apiha mate, i tvaenganui o te Kekeritanga, na tetahi tangata o taua whawhai i rango ai matau ki enei korero, Otiia kihai i whakaponohia. Kihai hoki i taia kite Nupepa. I rangona kautia na te Waeai

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karcro mai i te ra i whawhai ai, he whawhai nui kei te Kirikiri, 2,500. nga lioia kei tc karapoli i nga Maori me nga hoia eke hoiho 200. i muri iho kihai i taia kite Nupepa, i ahu ko mai te korero i nga Maori, me te whakaatu inai ano i o ratou i mate, tokowhitu, no muri iho ka korerotia c nga Marihi i uru ki taua whawhai he tokomaha o ratou i mate, ko nga mea a nga hoia i riro, ko enei kua tuhia i runga ake nei. Ko te whawhai ki Paparata he mea huaki po c nga hoia Karapotia ana to whare c nga hoia, puhia ana otiia, kua haere ko nga Maori ki tahaki noho mai ai, puhia mai c ratou i tahaki tata atu o te Whare. hinga iho, 50 hoia. Kahore he Maori, na te hunga i tanumia ai i korero mai tenei parekura. haunga ano ta te hunga ote Tari i korero mai ai. Ekore ahau c korero mo nga konihi ate Maori, c whakama ana ahau kite korero i nga mahi kino a taku iwi ake. he tika kei a ratou enei ra. Otiia hei utu mo ratou ka whakangaromia nei etc Pakeha. ekore ahau ematau ki tetahi mea hei maunga mo to rongo. meheniea, i tuturu nga ritenga o Tamehana, c mea ahau ka tata to mau oto rongo. ko Ngatimaniapoto te iwi c kino inai nei. whakatakoto noa a Mohi raua ko Tamehana kia kaua c patua te koroheke te tamaiti te Wahinc, me te tangata kahore c mau pu, I pcia hoki a Eewi te putake o tc kohuru ki Taranaki mo tona iwi katoa. Otiia rangona noatia ake kua kohurutia a Te Amutiti Kai whakawa o Waikato. me nga Pakeha takorua. Na Ngatimaniapoto i pupuhi, a waiho c ahau kei c tono ratou kia Waata Kukutai kia hoatute kai tuhituhi aTe Amutiti kia patua c ratou. he tohu tenei, ka tatar atou te ngaro, ma hoki c auta noa ana kite tangata haere kau :ko ta Waikato putake ote Whawhai nei ko te whitinga o nga hoia i Mangatawhiri, ko ta Te Kawana. ko te Kohuru i Taranaki. rere ko ta tetahi, rere ke ta tetahi. Mehemea i tuturu tenei ritenga c mea au kia koutou ka tata to man te rongo, ko tenei, kua uru nei ano a Ngatimaniapoto kua tini haere nga konihi, kua tika. rawaaketate Pakeha talta inaianoi. Engari, mana anake i runga nei c mea kia mutu, ka mau te rongo.

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