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against him. This course I agreed with Mr. Parris in pursuing, and directed him to be released on such a promise being made. Mr. Parris informs me that on the 28th January he, as Assistant Native Secretary, reported the circumstance to the head of his Department. I have, <fec, Josiah Flight, Resident Magistrate. The Honorable the Attorney-General, Auckland.

No. 8. THE HONORABLE THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL TO THE RESIDENT MAGISTRATE, TARANAKI. Attorney-General's Office, Auckland, February 24th, 1862. Sir, I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Letter of the 11th instant, explaining to some extent the mode in which Hapurona was released from prison because Mr. Parris wished it, and I am directed by the Attorney-General to request that you will state more in detail the particulars of the offence with which Hapurona was charged, and explain the means which you adopted to procure his discharge from prison, (apparently) contrary to law and without recognisances. I have, &c, Francis D. Fenton, Assistant Law Officer. The Resident Magistrate, Taranaki.

No. 9. RESIDENT MAGISTRATE, TARANAKI, TO THE HONORABLE THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL. Resident Magistrate's Office, New Plymouth, 4th March, 1862. Sir, — I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of a Letter from your Office, in which Mr. Feuton states that he is directed by you to request that I will state more in detail the particulars of the offence with which Hapurona was charged, and explain the means which I had adopted to procure his discharge. On the evening of Saturday, the 25th January last, the son of Hapurona came to my house saying that Mr. Parris was confined to his room from an accident he met with on his journey to Mokau) wished to see me. On going to that gentleman he informed me that Hapurona had been just then put into jail as a place of security, he having gesticulated and spoken in a violent way so as to bring a crowd about him. Mr. Parris informed me further, that Hapurona's son had got into a dispute with one of the officers of the troops stationed here, and had received a blow which had exasperated the father. Mr. Parris, who is a Magistrate, conferred with me on the advisability of allowing Hapurona to go at large on his promising to appear on the following Monday morning to answer any charge that might be brought against him, or to prefer any charge he might desire to make against any one. On arriving at the Court House I had Hapurona brought before me, when Mr. Wellington Carrington, the Native Officer, delivered to me a message from the Officer commanding the troops in this place, to the effect that as one of his officers had been concerned in the affair, he should take upon himself to enquire into the matter. Hapurona appeared, when brought before me, excited—partly from liquor, and partly from passion. No other charge than that referred to was laid against him, and on his promising to appear on the following Monday, I permitted him to go at large, taking Mr. Carrington's bail for his appearance. On Sunday I received from his Honor the Superintendent a Letter, of which I now furnish a Copy. • I have, <fec, Josiah Flight, Resident Magistrate. The Honorable the Attorney-General. Auckland.

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