E—No. 1 Sec. 11.

I may also state that the door of my house was locked, and the entrance was made by the window; as I found a "pinga" (stem of the fern-tree) lying outside, which must have been used as a means of getting in at the window, but which could not be climbed by a person having boots on. , Thomas Hawke. October 3rd, 1861.

Native Office, October 7th, 1861.

.According to instructions I proceeded on Friday last to the Pukaki settlement, to communicate with the Natives about a robbery, supposed to have been committed by the Natives of Tuakau against a settler of the name of Hawke, residing on Maori ground. The Natives were willing to take the case before the Maori runanga at Ngaruawhia. I thought it my duty to come immediately to report the case, so that the Government should take any steps they may deem necessary. G. Charon.

Auckland, November 11th, 1861. I have the honor to report to you that I visited Tuakau, in company with Hori Tauroa of Ngatiteata, on the 31st ultimo, for the purpose of inquiring into an alleged robbery of a settler, named Thomas Hawke, living at Pukekohe. Having sent for John Godkin, who attended with Elijah Rooie and Thomas Hawke, I stated the case to the Natives assembled, and at the request of Thomas Hawke told them that no particular person was charged with this robbery. I then proceeded to take the testimony of the witnesses, which was explained to Tapuke and Potaua, (the two men suspected by the Chiefs), both of whom denied having been at Godkin's house, and pleaded ignorance of the robbery. Karaipu and other Chiefs expressed their belief that the robbery had been committed by Tuakau Natives, and used all their influence to induce Tapuke and Potaua to confess, aud state where the goods had been taken, without producihg any effect; and at their request, the investigation was adjourned for further evidence.

I enclose a letter from Karaipu Teaho, with translation.

I have, &c, H. Halse, R. M, The Native Secretary, Auckland.

The examination of John Godkin, of Pukekohe, taken oil oath this 2nd day of November, 1861, at Tuakau, in the Province of Auckland, before the undersigned, one of Her Majesty's Justices of the Peace for the Colony of New Zealand, in the presence of Tapuke, and Potaua, for that they, the said Tapuke and Potaua, on or about the 17th of September last, in company with another Native (name not known) went to his house with half a pig which he bought anel paid for. After that, they asked to he allowed to sleep at his house, which he refused. They then borrowed his axe, and having asked him whether the Hawkes' were home, left and proceeded in the direction of Mr. Thomas Hawke's house.

J. B. Godkin.

The above deposition of John B. Godkin was taken before me at Tuakau on the day an_ year first above mentioned, H. Halse,

Resident Magistrate.

Elijah Roose, on his oath, saith that on or about the evening of the 17th of September last, he saw three Natives, Tapuke, Potaua, and another (name not known) near Mr. Godkin's house. Elijah Roose.

Sworn before me at Tuakau, this 2nd day of November, 1861. 11. Halse,

Resident Magistrate.

[translation.]

A statement about the property of a Pakeha, at Pukekohe, stolen on the 17 th or 18th of September.

Tuakau, November 2nd, 1861.

On the Ist of November, the investigation commenced and continued for two days. The Pakeha (Mr. Halse) and myself, endeavoured to find out from the three men suspected where the goods had been secreted, in order that they might be produced and laid before us and the Native Assessors. Present: —Mr. Halse, Hori Tauroa, " Tamihana Te Uira, Ropiha Te Pakaitn

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TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE