E.—No. 1.

visiting this station were to condole with his relatives by marriage on the death of Mr. Armitage, to express their disapproval of the doings of the Ngatimaniapoto in that dreadful work, as well as in their hovering about this neighbourhood, and helping themselves to some of the food of the Ngatitipa, which had been stored in the bush at some distance from this settlement. Te Oriori informed us that the Ngatiinaniapoto had asked leave to come and attack some of the forts lying between Te la and Waiuku, and had been permitted. Ho however, suspecting them, had followed them, and had stopped them from killing Mr. Berry (Mr. Underwood's partner) a few days ago. He had heard of them being here, and had now sent them back to Meremere, as they were a ruthless tribe, and not to be depended upon. He also informed us that the main body of the rebels is now at Paparata. This position is clearly chosen because of its proximity to the Thames or Piako, an easy portage of only four or five miles dividing the two waters (of Thames and Waikato). It is probable that they receive supplies of food, &c., that way. Te Oriori expressed his opinion that if once the rebels were fairly worsted at Meremere they would be inclined to listen to, or to ask for terms of peace. With reference to the killing of Mr. Armitage, Te Oriori said that it was done at the instigation of the Ngatipou, in revenge for that gentleman having been the agent who warned them off their land at Tuakau ; and that they themselves (the Ngatipou) were in ambush to shoot Mr. Armitage about the 20th ultimo, when he passed Wharangi (on Mr. Underwood's land) in his canoe going down the river. As, however, Nini Kukutai was in the canoe along with him, they were afraid to fire, lest they should kill that friendly native. I have further the honour to acquaint you that W. P. Kukutai has this morning received letters from Ruihana and others at Meremere, in which he is informed that Aihepene and the Ngatiteata had these been written to to leave Waiuku clear for an attack by the rebels. Walter was requested to receive friendly natives from Waiuku, and to keep them with himself here out of the way of danger. The messenger said that the 20th is the day fixed by the natives for attacking the troops at Mcremere. The country between thin place and opposite Te la is wholly Ngatipou land, and I have the honour io acquaint you that the rebels seem to be taking possession of it, and fortifying themselves on the hill called Pukekawa, about two miles inland from Mr. Underwood's and Mr. Marshall's farms. They have also commenced to plant potatoes, &c, at Pukekawa, which I am told is an extremely strong position, and very difficult of access. Their intention in thus occupying this left bank of the Waikato, seems to be that they may be there out of the reach of the troops — preserving a rough country in their own rear —and that they may be able to cross over the river to the right side at their pleasure, and harass settlers and positions there. They have at present many large canoes in their possession, and could if they chose help themselves to many more which are now in the hands of the Ngatitipa, the Ngatitahinga, and other friendly people. They have at present the command of the river below Te la, and since the murder of Mr. Armitage and his companions, on the 7th instant, no Europeans have passed up or down, with the exception of a few who went hence yesterday, expecting a passage in the barque " City of Melbourne," for the Maiuikau. I have, &c., R. O. SXEW.UIT, The Hon. the Native Minister, Auckland. Clerk of the Magistracy.

Enclosure 3 to No. 1. Recollection* of a Conversation with Te Oriori, on board the prison ship " Marion" : — " Having heard that a number of the Ngatimaniapoto natives had set off with the intention of killing Mr. Underwood and another white man, I and a number of my men went by a short cut so as to get to their house before the Ngatimaniapotos. We arrived first: I and my men sat down on the top of the hill, a short distance from the house, on the road by which the Ngatimaniapoto would have to come. I then sent a messenger to tell Mr. Underwood to come up to me, ' Meinga atu ko Te Oriori tenei. 1 Tell him Te Oriori is here. He thereupon came, and I told him to remove his things at once across the river, and that I would assist him. I pointed out the danger of remaining where he was, and told him that he would be safer across the river. He set to work at once, and with my assistance removed his property aero 3. My men were hungry, and I asked him for some potatoes ; lie gave mo two baskets. " During the attack upon Rangiriri, I saw a wounded soldier ; he had ribbons upon each side of hia coat; he was lying in a position where he was liable to be struck by the bullets of both his friends and foes : I went to save him, so that I might be able to say, 'Heis a man whose life I saved.' I assisted him to rise, and with my arms extended, supported him towards a hollow, where he would not be exposed to the fire of either party. "Whilst I was in the act of assisting him I was struck by two balls, one immediately after the other, one in the heel, the other in the calf of the leg. I then left him, and returned to the pa ; shortly after this I was struck by a bullet on the thumb." The above is, to the best of my recollection, the substance of Te Orion's statement to me. E. W. PUCKEY, Auckland, February 27th. I«G4. Interpreter. Te Oriori told me, soon after he came on board the " Curacoa," that while he was in the rifle pits near the edge of the lake, at Eangiriri, he saw an officer fall close to the entrance of the pa. He left the rifle pits with the intention of placing the officer in a hollow out of the way of the balls, but was wounded in the right leg and left heel, just before he got up to him. He returned, and just as he reached the rifle pits he received a wound in the left thumb. Just as he was struck lie saw the officer roll down into the hollow. T. A. Whttx.

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MEMORANDA AND REPORTS