Page image

E.—No. 11

We now send our letter after you. Friend, exert yourself to discover the cause of the war, which the Governor is now carrying on in Waikato. The war we hear of, but the cause we do not know. The Pakehas tell us that the causes were ambuscades, and murders on the part of the Maoris. We have not heard of those ambuscades and murders. This was what we heard of. Bewi's demand for war, after Aporo had been apprehended and imprisoned. Eewi proposed then to fight, but it was disapproved by Matutaera, by Tamehana, by Te Paea, and the Chiefs of "Waikato. In consequence of their strong opposition, Eewi desisted, and he came to Taupo to the inngi for (the death of) Te lleuheu. On his return, he was met on the road by the news of the driving away of the Maoris from their land, of the crossing of Mangatawhiri by the troops, and of the death of Te Huirama. As our messenger, whom we sent for information about the Waikato war was returning, he met them on the road, and then they went to Meremere —fiewi himself, and his tribe the Ngatinwniapoto. The going of Taati te Waru and Porokoru Titipa's party was not an unwarrantable act. They had been requested by Mohi to follow him, after he had been expelled by the Governor. As for the driving away of the Government and all the Pakehas. it was Bewi who called upon the Xgatimaniapoto to drive them away. It was then that the Waikato commenced to find fault with Eewi. As for the stand made by Te Huirama at Te Koheroa. When it ma seen that the soldiers had crossed Mangatawhiri, and that they were coming to fight the Waikatos, he stood forward to ward oft" the blow. We heard from the Ffckehaa that Eewi intended (or attempted) to murder the Governor, the time that he went up the Waikato ; but we disbelieve it, for we had from the Maoris a full account of the Governor's visit to Ngaruawahia, of his viewing Potatau's grave, of Te Paea's weeping, and of Matutaera being followed, that he might come and see the Governor at Xgaruawahia. How comes it then that we were not told of Eewi's murderous intentions towards the Governor ? We inform you of the things which we have heard that you may enquire and see whether they are correct or not, and then inform us, and show us what words caused the wrong. Enough. From your friends, Eexata Tamakiihkubanoi, Kabaitiaxa Takamoana, WIBIHANA TOATOA.

4

LETTERS TO DR. FEATHERSTON.