DISTURBANCES AT PATEA.

13

A.—No. 8,

No. 14 Copy of a Letter from Mr. J. Booth to the Hon. J. C. Bichmond. Besident Magistrate's Office, Sic,— Carlyle, 13th June, 1868. I have the honor to forward copy of Notices issued by me for tho information of the settlers in this district. I have, &c, The Hon. tho Native Minister, James Booth, Wellington. Besident Magistrte.

Notice. As it is possible that some one or more of the Ketemarae murderers may come into this district and commit murders, for tho purpose of getting the friendly tribes into trouble, it is desirable that settlers living near the bush should for the present come out into the open country, and choose some common place of residence for self-protection. (Signed) J. Booth, Batea, 13th June, 1868. Besident Magistrate.

Notice. The undersigned chief's of the Pakakohi tribe pledge themselves that they will give protection to all Europeans, men, women, and children, in their district, namely, from Waitotara to Mokoia. Taurua, Wharematangi, To One Kura, Paraone, Bangihaeata. (Signed) James Booth, Batea, 10th June, 1868. Besident Magistrate.

No. 15. Copy of a Letter from Mr. J. Booth to the Hon. J. C. Bichmond. (No. 54-2.) Besident Magistrate's Office, Sib,— Carlyle, 16th June, 1868. I have the honor to report that on Saturday evening last I went to Waihi. Nothing further had occurred since the murder of poor Smith, whose remains were buried by order of the acting Assistant Surgeon before I arrived ; the upper part of his body has not been recovered. Mr. Inspector Hunter did not think it was necessary to hold an inquest. Inspector Hunter informed me that he had withdrawn his men from Waingongoro. I am very pleased to report that Wiremu Hukanui kept his promise, and sent ten of his men to Waingongoro with the best arms they had, and that they stayed with our men until the latter were withdrawn. On Sunday morning (14th) shots were heard at Waihi, in the direction of Waingongoro, and presently afterwards a great smoke was seen. Troopers were sent as soon as they had their breakfast, who, on their return, reported that the whares belonging to Messrs. Smith, McDonnell, and others had been burned down, that Smith's fowls had all been burnt, that cattle had been shot, and pigs and horses taken off. At about 8 a.m. same morning, Paramena Eangihekeiho, from Mawhitiwhiti, came to Waihi to report that two of his sentries at Mawhitiwhiti had heard five shots fired in the direction of Pungarehu, just as the moon rose, or about 2 a.m. It is probable that the murderers have killed a Native of the Ngatimaru tribe, (Taranaki), who went to Te Ngutu-o-te-Manu the previous evening for the purpose of bringing away some friends of his who were staying at that place. Old Kewetone Puana and the other Mawhitiwhiti- chiefs sent in to ask if we could possibly give them any assistance, as they are expecting every day to be attacked, on account of the Union Jack with which, by my direction, they make signals to us. Kewetone says he will part with his flag only when ho parts with his life. The Kauwae Natives have also determined to stick to their flag. The settlers, with very few exceptions, are determined that they will not give up their farms. They are collecting together in common centres for mutual protection. Enclosed herewith is translation of a letter received yesterday from the chief Taurua [not enclosed]. I have, &c. The Hon. the Native Minister, James Booth, Wellington. Besident Magistrate.

No. IG. Copy of a Letter from Hone Pihama to Boeata Ngaeongomate. Xi a Bopata Ngaeongomate,— Nui Paremata, Hune 14, 1868. E hoa tena koe. Ka nui toku aroha atu ki a koe, notemea he nui nga marama i wehea atu ai koe i a matou. E taea hoki koa c hoa te aha ite nui oau mahi i tukua atu ai koe eau kia mahi i nga ritenga ki nga wahi katoa oteao ? Hcoi tena. He kupu atu tena ki a koe kia hoki mai koe, notemea kua raruraru te iwi Ngaruahine, kua mate nga Pakeha i patua ki uta atu o te Whenuku, i ko mai o Ketemarae. Tino kite pu aku kanohi i nga Pakeha i patua. Ko aua Pakeha tokotoru, tokorua i tangohia nga manawa kite Ngutuotemanu. Ko taua huaki, na Toi raua ko Hauwhenua. Kotahi tekau nga tangata nana aua Pakeha i patu. 4