DISTURBANCES AT PATEA.

9

A.—No. 8.

district since my last report was sent in, No. 43-2 ; and that the articles stolen by the Araukuku Natives from Europeans have been given up according to promise. I have, &c, The Hon. the Native Minister, James Booth, Wellington. Besident Magistrate.

No. 11. Copy of a Letter from Mr. J. Booth to the Hon. J. C. Bichmond. Besident Magistrate's Office, Sic,— Carlyle, 9th June, 1868. I have the honor to report that the Natives of Ketemarae, or the neighbourhood, have this afternoon murdered a settler by the name of Cahill, late a Sergeant in the T.M.S. This morning, early, Captain Boss and myself visited Araukuku, a village on General Chute's road. I had been invited to visit the place by tho Natives, who had returned some stolen property. On our way through the bush we were met by about twelve men, all armed ; these men tried to turn us back, but I determined to go on to the village. On arriving there, however, my suspicions were aroused and we immediately returned, and on our arrival at Waihi, Tukino, from Matangarara, cautioned me against going any more amongst the Hauhaus as he knew for a fact that they intended to kill me. I told Captain Hunter, Inspector of tho Armed Constabulary, that I had been cautioned, and that the caution extended to us all. He at once cautioned the troopers, but I suppose there had not been time to take a message to poor Cahill. I believe this murder has been committed in consequence of a message from Tokangamutu, brought by More. I enclose copy of a note received from Mr. Inspector Hunter half an hour after I got home. I think it is very necessary to call out the Militia, as I am more than afraid the Pakakohi Natives will join the outbreak. 9 p.m.—Captain Cumming is just sending off an orderly to Whanganui for Colonel McDonnell. lam just sending a messenger to bring in Natanahira, and to try through that chief to secure the loyalty of the Pakakohi. In great haste. I have, &c., The Hon. the Native Minister, Jambs Booth, Wellington. Besident Magistrate.

Enclosure in No. 11. My deae Booth,— Waihi, 9th June, 1868. The Natives have killed old Cahill ; let Cumming come up at once with all the men. In haste, W. Huntee.

No. 12. Copy of a Letter from Mr. J. Booth to the Hon. J. C. Bichmond. (No. 50-2.) Besident Magistrate's Office, Sic,— Carlyle, 11th June, 1868. I have the honor to report that when I sent my last hurried letter to the Government, at the same time I wrote a letter to the chief Natanahira, who was staying at Oika on the Whenuakura; I also included the Pakakohi chiefs Taurua, Wharematangi, and Te One Kura. This was to inform them of the murder which had been committed at Ketemarae, and to ask them to come to Patea at once. I sent off the letter at midnight by Ihaka, the Native policeman. My reason for sending for these chiefs was, that I might if possible secure their allegiance to the Queen. Early yesterday morning the leading chiefs came in, viz., Natanahira, Taurua, Wharematangi, Paraone, and Bangihaeata, and we had a long talk at this office, and the event proved that I did right in sending for them, as they one and all, on behalf of themselves and their followers, professed allegiance to the Government, and volunteered to take tho responsibility of giving protection to the wives and children of all the settlers in their district. I told the chiefs that their good words had made my heart glad. I had sent for them in the night that they might at once have an opportunity of declaring themselves ; and if they wished to join the murderer Titokowaru and his tribe I should not have prevented their going; but as they had expressed horror at the foul murder which had been committed, and had volunteered active protection of women and children, I felt sure they would keep their words and not betray their trust, as I was willing to place the lives of women and children in their hands. I then wrote letters for them to His Excellency the Governor and to yourself, which, with translations, I have the honor to enclose. At the request also of the Pakakohi chiefs I issued a notice to the settlers —copy enclosed. These notices are now posted up in different parts of the district. About one p.m. yesterday I left with Natahanahira for Waihi. At Kakaramea we met Mr. Gudgeon who informed us that three poor men had been murdered, viz., Cahill, Squires, and Clarke, and that the murderers were ten men from Te Ngutu-o-tc-Manu. At Kakaramea I met some influential men of the Pakakohi tribe who have hitherto been what are called outsiders, i.e., although friendly they are still professed Hauhau. These men were even more vehement in their protestations of loyalty and of their readiness to give protection than Taurua and the others had been. I went to Matangarara and had a long talk with the Natives of that village, and proceeded thence to the redoubt at Turuturumokai, which is now again in the occupation of the Armed Constabulary; whilst 3