A.—No. 8

PAPERS RELATIVE TO NATIVE

8

reserves at Ihupuku ho had been stopped by a Native woman named Karo, who had pulled up his signal staff and removed the chain. Mr. Carrington was of opinion that if I could go and speak with the Natives a little explanation would make it all right. I went accordingly to Mr. Carrington's camp on Sunday night, and at daylight next morning wo went to Ihupuku whore we saw the Natives, and after explaining to them the nature of the survey they expressed themselves perfectly satisfied, and promised that if in future they were at all dark about the survey lines they would not attempt to stop the surveyors but apply directly to me. I then returned to Patea, and proceeded thence to Waihi, to which place Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell had gone with all the Armed Constabulary and a number of Volunteer Militiamen. Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell had a warrant from me for the apprehension of Toi, Hauwhenua, and other Natives implicated in horse-stealing. My previous action in the matter I have already r reported to the Government (sth instant). At about 8.30 p.m. Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell, with about one hundred men and officers, left Waihi for To Ngutu-o-te-Manu. Tho force arrived at tho village at about 3 a.m. on Tuesday, the Natives were taken by surprise. I believe they treated Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell and his party with every kindness and gave them food. In the afternoon of Tuesday the force returned to Waihi bringing one Native, named Tauke, as a hostage, but not bringing any of the actual thieves or stolen property. On the evening of the same day I sent Natanahira, a young friendly chief from Matangarara, with a message to tho chiefs at To Ngutu-o-te-Manu demanding the restoration of the stolen horses and other property, together with the men who had stolen them. On Wednesday (13th), at about 11 a.m., Natanahira returned bringing with him two mares and a foal, which the Natives told him were all they had. The revolver had been sent to Taranaki. Erom information received during Natauahira's absence I knew that several horses were still at or near Te Ngutu-o-te-Manu. I therefore'asked Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell if he woidd again go out with a few men to try and get the rest of the horses, and if possible, some of the thieves. At 2 p.m. on Wednesday about eighteen horsemen went out under command of Mr. Inspector Hunter, a reserve of men on foot went under the command of Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell. I went with Inspector Hunter's party. When wo arrived at the Tillage we saw two of the horses of which we were in search; there could not have been less than one hundred men in the village when wo entered it, tho children had been all sent away; the men were for the most past armed and had their cartouch boxes on; they seemed to be very much alarmed at our appearance, and ran off to the bush as fast as possible. I tried in vain to restore confidence and get them together to talk ; they were afraid that an attack was going to be made upon them. We made prisoner of a man named Ihaka, against whom an information, had been laid, that he had broken into a settler's house at Waingongoro and had also stolen a horse. Two other men were also taken prisoners. These men, with the two horses, were brought into Waihi. Tauke (the hostage) was released. The Natives, a few of whom stayed in the village, were very much excited, and the Native guides became alarmed and bolted. Ido not think, however, that the Natives had any intention of attempting to cut us off I took the opportunity of showing them the folly of their conduct, and that they had only themselves to thank if trouble ensued; that I had, as they knew, tried fair means ; that afterwards when Colonel McDonnell went out they did not give up the horses, I had then sent out Natanahira and they had even then kept back several horses, two of which I had just caught. I also warned them that if the rest of the stolen property was not sent into Waihi they must not be surprised if we went again to look for it. Tamati Hone said, " Why did you not come alone? Why bring an armed party?" I reminded him that I had tried that course already, but without effect. As some of our party had gone away with prisoners, and we were now only about eight or nine in number it was thought advisable to return, which we did, and got back in safety to Waihi. Yesterday (14th), I examined the prisoners, two were liberated, the third, Ihaka, was remanded for one week until further evidence can be produced. I sent a letter by the two men who were released to the chiefs and others at Te Ngutu-o-te-Manu demanding the restoration of the rest of the stolen property in their possession. Yesterday a report was brought into camp by Natanahira that the Waikato chief More, with about thirty followers, was at Ahitana's place, Te Ngacre, and that they had said they had come to make inquiries about friendly Natives, and if they found that if they (friendlies) were leasing land, allowing roads to be made, or working for Europeans, they intended to go back, raise a larger force, and come again to fight. More and his people slept at Mawhitiwhiti last night. More condemns the Ngutu-o-te-Manu Natives, and says wo (Europeans) have done quite right in seeking to recover our property. Last evening a Native, named Pepe, came from Araukuku, inland of Kotomarae, to say that the Araukuku Natives had been persuaded by the Ngutu-o-te-Manu people to adopt the system of stealing, but now they saw the trouble it was likely to bring on them, and they were very anxious to give up whatever they have taken. Pepie was sent out to-day, and when he gets the things he is to hand them over to the officer in command at Waihi. It is intended that Waihi shall for the present be the head quarters of the Constabulary. The Militia returned to Patea to-day. I have, &c, The Hon. Native Minister, James Booth, Wellington. Besident Magistrate.

No. 10. Copy of a Letter from Mr. J. Booth to the Hon. J. C. Bichmond. (No. 44-2.) Besident Magistrate's Office, Sic,— Carlyle, 26th May, 1868. I have the honor to report that there have been no further cases of horse-stealing in this