D.-No. 11

On the morning of the 7th, Mr. McGregor brought three Natives to his house—Tamati Tuti, of the Ngapuhi tribe, his wife liana, and a half-caste woman named Hoana; these, he stated, could give me some important information. The woman Hoana said, " Pihiri and Herana, two ofthe Pai Marire party, told me about ten days ago, that as soon as they had dug up the crops and housed the corn, they intended (the party of fanatics) going to the war ; but before they left Kennedy's Bay, they would, if Mr. McGregor and his party of men had any difference or dispute with them, kill the "whole of them." She then proceeded to state, with respect to the reported attack on Coromandel—" On Thursday (30th March) a Native named Heremaia went to the diggings, where Tamati Tute, liana, Pera Rakana, Te Puku, Hoana, Billy Rangara, a New Hollander, and myself, were then residing. Ho came to our house. AYe asked him what was the news from Karataunga (Kennedy's Bay). He replied, there is not anything particular ; the Pai Marire people intend going to Coromandel on Friday (week), to see the races. Hana and myself (Hoana) then said, the Parirai (Pai Marire) had better stay away. He answered, why should they remain away? they would go to the races. If the Europeans interfered with them, that would be enough ; they would at" once fight; that place (the diggings) would then be a beginning of chopping for the Pai Marire. AYe then said, that will be wrong ; you will not be able to stand before the Europeans—you will not be strong enough for them. Hana then told them to return to Mataora with their women and children ; that they were living within the Queen's net. He replied, what is that to the Parirai ? Hana and myself (Hoana) then answered, you had better try on the other side (meaning Kennedy's Bay). He then said, we will not quarrel"with the Europeans there; but if McGregor and his people are impudent, we will then tomahawk those Europeans. This man Heremaia was quite sober, and did not seem to be in the least intoxicated when he had this conversation with us. AYe then went to Kikowhakarere, and reported it to Messrs Galloway and De Thierry ; they told the other Europeans." I then requested these women to attend a meeting of the Kennedy Bay Natives. They consented. Captain Freemantle and Lieutenant Belson of H.M.S. " Eclipse," having arrived, we all proceeded to the Native settlement. The whole of the residents and the fanatics, to the number of about fifty persons, and a number of the Europeans, having assembled, I read over the statement which had been made by the women above mentioned, and I called on them for an explanation of it. Heremaia then said —" I went to the house. The women asked me, what was the talk of the Parirai ? I said, they are coming to sec the races. The women answered, they had better not come, or they will be taken as prisoners by the Europeans. I said, if I went alone I would hide my name (Rii Marire) ; but if a number went we would say we were Parirai —would not hide it: so that if the Europeans interfered (quarrelled or objected), "we would kill them." He would not admit that he had said anything about McGregor, or about killing him or his people. He was then asked by a Native named Bopata, " AVhether he heard, before leaving Harataunga for Coromandel, that the Natives intended attacking the Europeans at Coromandel or at Kennedy's Bay ?" He answered, " I did not hear it here ; but when the women argued with me, I said that if the Europeans quarrelled with us we would kill them." The other Natives still denied everything. I then said il appeared to me there were some ten or twelve men at Harataunga who belonged to Mataora, and although they pleased to deny the accusation, there was little doubt but they were there with iio good intention, and they had better agree to return to their own place at once. Te Tanewha Kitahi, Rawiri te Na Pumipi te Pararewa, Pito Taukaka, and Kairaurea all spoke to the same effect; they all concurred in my view of the case, and they would not allow strangers to disturb the peace of the district. A considerable amount of discussion ensued, and some ofthe Natives were inclined to be impudent. Some threats were also made respecting the women who had given information against them. I then told them that they (that is, the Mataori fanatics) must leave Harataunga, and I gave them ten minutes to come to a decision. Before the expiration of that period they consented to go away. I then arranged they should leave in their boats within two hours. This was agreed to, and they, to the number of nineteen, left at the time stipulated. On reviewing the whole of the circumstances of the case, I am of opinion that a very great evil has been averted; and this becomes more apparent when it is known that at the Native settlements at Cabbage Bay, Koputanaki, and Kikowhakarere, to the northward of Coromandel, there are several Pai Marire converts, who might, under the influence of a blind superstition, be led to assist in an attack on their unarmed European neighbours. It is a matter for congratulation that the Chiefs Tanewha Kitahi, and Pita Taukaka remained firm in their loyalty, and threatened the conspirators, otherwise the result might have been disastrous to the European settlers. In conclusion, I would beg to draw attention to the services rendered by H.M.S. " Eclipse." I consider that her presence did more than anything else in cowing the fanatics, and inducing them to leave the district. lam afraid, but for the moral influence she exercised, it would have been a difficult task for me to have removed them, without appealing to the friendly Natives for assistance in the shape of an armed force. I would beg to thank Captain Freemantle for the zealous manner in which he supported me throughout, and also for the very valuable advice and assistance rendered to me by him and the officers under his command. Mr. McGregor applied to me for some arms and ammunition. Finding that he had sixty Europeans working for him, and taking into consideration their isolated and exposed position, and also their being without any adequate means of defending themselves from any attack of hostile Natives, 1 took upon myself the responsibility of furnishing him with the following warlike stores :—Fifty rifles', fifty accoutrements, 3,000 rounds ammunition, caps in proportion. I may observe that I considered myself justified in doing so, from the fact of the Government having supplied Mr. Craig, of Whangapona, with arms under somewhat similar circumstances. I have, <fee, James Mackay, Jun., His Honor the Superintendent, Auckland. Civil Commissioner, Hauraki.

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