A.—No. "5.

over the money apparently with great satisfaction. This widow must have known what was going to happen, but she did not name it. About two p.m. a number of armed men (perhaps twenty) came, and after going through some ceremonies in front of the house, called to Mr. Volkner as we supposed to go to the meeting. I pressed again and again to go with him, stating the meeting was for us both, but to no purpose. IWH forced back and told that my turn would come next. They now locked the door and left eight armed men to keep guard. Again I pressed to go to the meeting but was refused, telling me I was to follow next. Two long hours of most painful suspense for us all passed away, but there was no return of Mr. Volkner. I listened during these long hours to hear the report of firearms, but having heard none I was not without hope that all was right. I now saw Heremita return who had led the party away, and sitting down some eight or ten yards from the house, he commenced telling the men left to guard us something to which they listened very attentively. I caught the words " kua whakatarewarewa ki runga kite whiro" (hung on the willow tree). These words went to my heart, I called upon the Lord. It did not necessarily follow that my friend was hung on the willow. I named it to the poor sailors and they thought all was over. Shortly in a state of great excitement all the armed men returned. I was first called out, then the sailors. They marched us off, they being in single file on each side of us. "When we reached the open space in front of the church there was great confusion and excitement, and cries of where are the others ? some saying they had escaped to the bush ; then there was confusion again as to where we were to be taken. All this time I was earnest in my inquiries for Mr. Volkner, but could get no satisfaction. We were now led to another house occupied by Mr. Hooper, a settler, outside of which we were robbed of everything our pockets contained. I begged of them to leave mo my little prayer-book, but they refused. AV^e were then led inside, and had our hands tied behind us. At this time, on inquiring, I was told that Mr. Volkner had been taken to another house. Shortly the captain and his brother and Mr. Agassiz were brought in and tied in the same manner as all the rest. All parties now seemed to think their end was come. I confess I did not. My mind halted between the feeling that this was a piece of mischief on the part of the Natives to give them an opportunity of robbing and frightening us, or that still it might be a fearful reality. Had I known of the murder of Mr. Volkner I should doubtless have thought differently. We were kept tied in this manner for about an hour and a half, during which time, some one wishing for water, a Native carrying a pannakin from one mouth to another served us with some. Next came in a Native and to our great surprise loosed us. I began to think that this part of the business was sham. I asked what it all meant; he answered me, " A time to bind and a time to loose, a time to kill and a time to make alive." I have now no doubt it was intended to give them an opportunity of robbing our persons, and to teach us that we were prisoners. Poor Mr. Hooper is a sick man, he was lying on a bed at the time in this house. The house was plundered. I saw a Native come in and take all the bed clothes from Mr. Hooper, almost robbing him on the ground. I remonstrated with him, and the cruel fellow, as he was leaving with the blankets in his hands, came up to me and said (somewhat ashamed), it was because the Pakeha had been very " pakeka " (hard) about a debt; and went off with the things. After this, upon inquiring about the house in which I had been told Mr. Volkner was, one of the Europeans said to me in a quiet way, " Ask no more for him, you will not see him again." This was the first certain information I had of his death. My worst fears were realized, and my heart was sad indeed. Of course, from what they told me when they took him off I fully expected to follow. "We were given to understand that we were to sleep in this house, but the three last who were tied were allowed to go elsewhere. The sailors now began to look after some food, of which they stood much in need. Henry, the teacher, in charge of Mr. Volkner's house, had in the morning brought us a quantity of very fat bacon ; this with some potatoes from the Natives, and tea, sugar, and biscuits from the store, supplied our wants. There were in this small house, which consisted of one small room about 18 feet by 12- —first, the sick man, four sailors, myself, and six or eight Natives—men, women, and children. The suffocation at night from so many people, and the fumes of tobacco were almost overpowering. Soon after dark we lay down on the floor. The sailors had by some means got their blankets from the prison-house we had left a few hours before, but mine had been taken by Heremita. 1 lay down next to one of the sailors, John Moore. They had managed to spare a blanket for me, and this good-natured fellow made a pillow for me of his coat. I could not sleep. There was too much moving about to have evening prayer, and I could only in private commend myself and companions to the watchful care of our Heavenly Father. I had every reason to believe that this would be my last night on earth. G-od's gracious presence did not forsake me. As I lay awake I could distinctly hear the confusion, dancing, and shouting going on in the Eomish chapel, and also in the church. This ended this terrible day upon which the first blood was shed in New Zealand for the Gospel's sake. TnE Mitbdee. I am thankful to say I did not witness the death of dear Mr. Volkner, I can therefore only give the substance of what I heard on the spot; when he was led away from me, we both supposed it was to a meeting. He was first marched to near the church, where it appeared that his coat and waistcoat were taken from him. He was then taken about 200 yards in another direction to beneath a willow tree. If not before he was now doubtless convinced of their intention. He asked them to let him have his prayer-book, which was left in his coat pocket. They brought it. He then knelt down and prayed, arose, and shook hands with his murderers and said, " I am ready." While they continued shaking hands with him he was hoisted up. I have heard two reports as to the time he struggled. Dr. Agassiz, thought not longer than a quarter of an hour, others said an hour or more and that when taken down. there were still signs of life. I hope the latter opinion is incorrect; there can be no doubt that he was allowed to hang for upwards of an hour. I also heard that they shot him while hanging. When taken down, he was carried to near the church beside a small house belonging to the station. Here he was laid down and the head taken off with a considerable portion of the breast. Heremita, the Maori who came to us a little before Mr. Volkner was led off, and who took all our things under pretence of taking care of them, and who afterwards was the leader of those who carried him off, was the person G

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ZEALAND TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE.