R—No. 5.

hutting the troops at Awamutu. We felt some alarm on account of the distance of the bush where we were working from the troops. Our foreman, Thomas Canty, went to the Camp for a guard, but did not succeed in getting one. AVhilo waiting for a guard, nine Europeans and myself went to shoot fowls and turkeys in the plantations of the natives who had retreated. Tnis was about half a mile from the place where we were working. On emerging from a belt of scrub, the foremost man of our party discovered a fire, and informed his companions, who pressed forward to see it. I also advanced with them. Some ofthe Europeans supposed it was lighted by friendly natives, others thought that they were Kingitcs. I proposed to go and ascertain. Went towards them, and saw that they had their guns levelled at mo. There were 20 of them : there was another party of ten behind a grove of acacia trees. They called to ask if I was a Maori. I replied, " Yes." " Are you a Queen Maori ?" " Yes, lam a Queen Maori." Thereupon, they raised the muzzles of their guns and sat down. I walked up and shook hands with them all, after which I accompanied them to the side of their fire. Tney asked who my companions were. I replied " Pakehas." " Have they any arms ?" " No, only one ; a single-barrelled fowling piece, without a ramrod." They expressed a wish to see the Pakehas; but I told them that they had better pile their arms that I might know they were to be trussed. They accordingly put them all together, and wo went to meet the Pakehas. When tho Pakehas saw 30 of us advancing, they came towards us. AYe met half way. Four of the Pakehas remained behind; five came on. We shook hands all round, and began to converse with each other. I asked the natives what was to be done with us. They told us to return to our Camp : but three persons were annoyed at this, and ran to fetch their guns. Twenty-seven remained friendly. These last called to us to run for our lives, as they could not protect us from the fury of tho three who desired our deaths. The Pakehas set off at once, but I, imagining that they would not hurt me, remained behind. The three persons who had picked up their arms, finding that the Pakehas had escaped, turned their guns against me; but I was instantly shielded by the 27, so tho three passed round and ran on after the Pakehas, three of whom were in sight; the others had passed over a hill. The natives fired five shots. Don't know whether any of them took effect; but one of the natives picked up a hat which had been dropped. On the return of the three, I said to them, " Now my Pakehas have escaped, let me go too." They replied, " You shall bo made a prisoner." I did not feel afraid, but said " This is murderous work to me and my Pakehas—me you have captured, and my friends you have fired upon." However, they persisted in detaining me. AYe set out at once for Te Tiki, near Maungatautari, and arrived at midnight: this was on the 2nd of April. A large firo was lighted, and when enquiries were made as to its meaning, the people were told that a great Council was going to be held to try a prisoner. Do not know how many were present. I was led into the circle, and some proposed that I should be held captive; others objected that they had no provisions to spare for prisoners. It was therefore agreed that a fresh trial should fake place in the morning. A t daylight they again met, and I computed the number of people present at 1,000. The same proposals were made as before: then Kereopa, Iho orator (mangai) of AY. Thompson and the King, rose up, and declared on the authority of AY. Thompson and the King, that I was to be released, to proceed fo Rotorua, thence to the coast, and so to join my friends. I asked if W. Thompson and the King were present. Some said, yes ; others, no. Kereopa called upon the people to assent: they did so, and I was free. I waited some time for tidings from Orakau, where the troops were fighting. While the people were dispersing, a messenger rushed in to the pa exclaiming " Orakau has fallen into the hands of the soldiers !" A second messenger arrived, and then a third, who stated that the Maoris were utterly routed. A panic fell upon them, and, throwing aside their arms, the men seized their children and five wounded men, whom they carried off. They retreated to Tapapa, to Maungatautari, and to Taupo. I accompanied them to Maungatautari: they were thoroughly disheartened. I advised them as we travelled along the road fo give up their arms to the Government. Great confusion prevailed. They would not hear of peace, but declared their intention to die for their land. I missed them in the darkness, and saw no more of my companions ; but journeyed on to Tapapa, where I found a number of refugees. Went also to Hamaria, where I saw 100 refugees. At present they are pretty well supplied with food, but the numbers fleeing thither will soon devour all they have to eat. The Tcpapa people say they will only share their food with warriors, not with refugees. I passed through the forest to Rotorua, slept there, and so round to Maketu. I told them that it was useless to struggle with the Pakehas, who came flocking into New Zealand like a flood tide ; that AVaikato was full of men. They replied "No ; the Queen has refused to send any more." Many of them aro short of ammunition and precussion caps : they are supplied by Ngatiporou. They are very short of food, especially of potatoes—live upon flour. They are very numerous, and sweep up all the provisions on their march. They intend to gather tawa berries, and dig fern root. They think this will only be a temporary inconvenience, as they are confident of ultimate success. I told them that for every Pakeha they killed, two would spring up. They greatly respect the courage of the soldiers ; but dread most of all the cavalry : this is on account of the rapidity of their movements—lhe Maoris find themselves surrounded before they arc aware of it. They asked after Ti Oriori and the prisoners on board the hulk. Told them they were well cared for. One had died from sickness. They said they expected to hear of their being hung. I replied that if the AVaikatos committed any more murders, two of the highest rank would be hung for each man, woman or child that was injured. They were exceedingly defiant and insolent; even the children partook of this feeling. William B. Bakee, R.M.

No. 7. Copy of a DESPATCH from nis Excellency Sir Georoe Grey, X.C.8., to His Grace the Duke of Newcastle, K.G. My Lord Duke, — Government House, Auckland, 25th May, 1864. My Responsible Advisers have requested me to forward to your Grace the enclosed ♦Memorandum on my Despatch No. 64, of the 3rd inst.

Vi&e E. Ho. 1., (Part II.)

6

DESPATCHES FROM SIR GEORGE GREY