DISTURBANCES AT PATEA.

A.—No. 8.

15

as Natanahira, of Matangarara, who has lately been living with the Pakakohi, told Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell and myself yesterday, in confidence, not to trust the Pakakohi, and especially not to visit their villages inland. When asked to give a reason for having suspicions against these people, he said, "I am a Maori; I hear many things, and can understand their meaning." I need hardly say that Natanahira is a young chief in whom I have the very greatest confidence. In the meantime we take care to appear to have unbounded faith in the Pakakohi. If a blow sudden and effective is struck at the root of the evil (Te Ngutu-o-te-Manu), the Pakakohi will remain friendly ; but if the murderers gain the slightest perceptible advantage over us, I am afraid that other hapus, with the hopes of getting back their land, will be induced to join. I scarcely need mention that Lieut.Colonel McDonnell and myself are working together heart and soul to secure the real friendship of those who are now apparently friendly, and, if possible, to bring swift punishment to Titokowaru and this cannibal tribe. I believe the district to be in a very critical state, and should the Pakakohi, from any cause whatever, adopt the tactics of Titokowaru, we should find it a very difficult thing to hold this district. I have, &c, The Hon. the Native Minister, James Boom, Wellington. Besident Magistrate.

Enclosure 1 in No. 17. Copy of a Letter from Hone Wieemu. Hune 25, 1868. Ka tukua atu te whakamaramatanga kia Putu Kai Whakawa mo nga korero a Titokowaru i korero ai kite tangata i hopukia hereheretia c tana ope, ko taua Tangata no Mawhitiwhiti, ko tana ingoa ko Tatana ka riro taua Tangata i taua ope ka tae kite Ngutu-o-te-Maru, ka korero tuturu mai a Titoko i ana Ture ki taua herchere o rima ona ra c noho ai ki reira ka tahuti mai ai ka korero ia i aua Ture a Titoko :— 1. Ture tuatahi he tahae hoiho. 2. Ture tuarua ko nga Pakeha tokotoru. 3. Tuatoru ka tapahia te hope o te Pakeha kotahi i mate. 4. Tuawha ka mate hoki he Pakeha ka tangohia katoatia. 5. Tuarima, hei a ia nga rori katoa tae noa ki Patea c tae kite ra pai ko tona ra tena c haere ai ia i ona rori. 6. Tuaono, ka tipaoa te patu ki runga ki raro. 7. Kei tai o Turuturu nga Whare rangatira. 8. Mehemea ka whakautua atu enei Pakeha kua mate nei ka whakaekea a Waihi c ia i te awatea. 9. Tua iwa ka tae atu ia ki Patea. 10. Ahakoa mano mano, ko te Ngutu-o-te-Manu, ano ia, ahakoa huri katoa te motu nei ki a ia ko te Ngutu-o-te-Manu ano ia c noho ai me ana wahine, me ana tamariki. Heoti tena. Taku kupu atu kia koe, mau te whakamaramatanga ki nga Pakeha kaua c haere taki kotahitahi nga Pakeha ahakoa kai whiu kata, kia haere mohio kiei tupono kite ra c haere ai Titokowaru me tana ope. Heoti tena. He kupu ano naku ki a koe kua he au kua hopuria a te Katene kite Kari ruma, mo tana kohuru iau mo aku tamariki wahine. Ko tana kohuru tenei ko tona tahuti kite Ngutu-o-te-Manu. Heoti tena. Kei toe korua taenga mai ko Kanara ka korero ai tena. Heoi ano, Na Hane Wieemu, Te Mata-o-te-rangi.

[teanslation.] 25th June, 1868. The words of caution (light) go to Mr. Booth, 8.M., relative to the words of Titokowaru which he spake to a man who had been made prisoner by his (Titokowaru's) people. That man belongs to Mawhitiwhiti, his name is Tatana; the war party took him to Te Ngutu-o-te-Manu, and Titokowaru said to him that these are his laws :— 1. Horse stealing. 2. Three Europeans who were murdered. 3. The man who was cut in two. 4. A European to be killed and taken away. 5. He will take possession of all roads between this place and Patea, on fine days he may be expected to be seen on his roads. 6. Ambuscades will be laid north and south. 7. To the south (or seaward) of Turuturu are the houses of gentlemen (resj^ctable settlers). 8. Should payment be sought for the deaths of the Europeans who have been killed, he (Titokowaru) will attack Waihi, and by daylight. 9. He himself intends to go to Patea by his roads. 10. Although a thousand should go he will be found at Te Ngutu-o-te-Manu; should even the whole island rise against him, he will stay at To Ngutu-o-te-Manu, with his women and children. This is all. My word to you. Caution the Europeans not to go about singly, especially cart drivers and others, as we do not know when Titokowaru may lay his ambuscades. This is another word. lam in evil repute. Katene is a prisoner in the guard-room; he has murdered me, my women, and children. This is his murder,—he has attempted to run away to Te Ngutu-o-te-Manu. When you and the Colonel (McDonnell) come here you will hear the talk. This is all. Erom Hane Wieemu, Te Mata-o-te-rangi.