ZEALAND TO THE SECRETARY OE STATE.

29

A. -No. 1

Sir D. Cameron. Sir George Gbey. commenced. AA'hen this reinforcement was surrounded by our men they opened fire upon them, but finding their position hopeless and resistance useless, laid down their arms. This event exercised a powerful influence on those in the pa. 16. As their retreat was at the time perfectly We had captured the only reinforcement they open, the pa well provisioned, and as the party on had near them. AYe had taken all the supplies the Karaka Heights could not prevent the entrance they had within many miles of them, and were of supplies and reinforcements into it from the using them. The pa was not well provisioned, opposite bank of the river, it may be inferred that and they must have expected every moment that they had no serious intention of defending the the only line of escape left open to them (that by work. which they did effect their retreat) would have been occupied. After that, only stragglers could have stolen through in the night. 17. Looking at the result, I think there is no The remarks on paragraph 9, and Memoranda of reason to regret that the pa was not attacked at Ministers enclosed, (see Appendix C.) will show an earlier period. how erroneous this view is. 18. Had I done so, I have little doubt that I I am satisfied the pa could have been taken in should have lost many officers and men without January with very trifling loss, and that many of gaining any greater advantage than has been the evils which have since fallen on the country obtained by its evacuation. might have been avoided. 19. Nothing had occurred when I left the lam convinced that no person well acquainted Colony to warrant the Governor's statement that with the state of the country will agree with the the delay had involved consequences fraught with statements made by General Cameron in paradisaster, and led to fresh outbreaks in other parts graphs Nos. 19, 20, and 21. of the Colony. 20. The fact is, that, except on the East Coast, The enclosed Memorandum from my Eesponsible the Natives had for many months remained on Advisers (see Appendix D.) will show that the the defensive, and all the hostilities that had taken rebels on the East Coast very largely out-num-place in or near any of our settlements had been bered the friendly Natives; that we have a large provoked by our invasion or occupation of their and important settlement on the East Coast; and territory. that an absolute necessity existed for our inter--21. In regard to the East Coast, I had received ference. no information for several months from the Governor or the Colonial Ministers about the state of that part of the Colony ; but as we have no settlements where the disturbances have taken place, and the loyal Natives greatly outnumber the rebels, there would appear to be no necessity for our interference. 22. I heard, however, that the Colonial Government had supplied the loyal Natives on several occasions with arms and ammunition, and had sent a detachment of A Tolunteers to co-operate with them ; and it would appear from Colonel Greer's report of the murder of Mr. Fulloon and two sailors on the East Coast, that the Government had been endeavouring to raise the loyal Natives against the rebels by the promise of sending troops to their assistance. 23. In regard to this murder and the two Mr. Fulloon was a half-caste New Zealander ; skirmishes at Taranaki, of which your Lordship his mother was a native of the part of the coast will receive reports by the present mail, and in he went to visit; he was related to several of the which you will perhaps consider that some valu- leading families there, and possessed much able lives have been lost without any useful object, influence. I would observe that large tracts of country The enclosed papers (see Appendix E.) will having become confiscated and occupied by us, show that the Government did not send Mr. and whole tribes of Natives expelled from their Fulloon on a mission to AVhakatane—that they lands, it is not surprising that some acts of had ordered him to proceed direct from Auckatrocity should be committed by them for the land to Wellington, and that at his own request sake of revenge when the Government give them he was allowed to go by way of the East Coast, tho opportunity by sending their agents on such for the purpose, as he expressed it. of checking missions as that of Mr. Fulloon's ; and that the the spread, and, if possible, of suppressing the Pai Governor having encouraged the officer in com- Marire superstition, and also of observing the niand at Taranaki to act independently of the Opotiki Natives. Officer Commanding the Troops, and to undertake Colonel Warro has answered this statement in any operations he may think proper without refer- the enclosed paper. (See Appendix F.) ence to him, the Governor must be considered responsible for any misfortunes that may occur in that Province. 24. With regard to Sir George Grey's com- General AYaddy's orders have never yet been plaint that General Waddy, Lieut.-Colonel Trevor, communicated to me. I believe, from what I and the officers and men under his command, had heard, that it would be found that General