DISTURBANCES AT PATEA.

29

A.—No. 8.

noon a party of fifteen Natives from Keteonetea, a village inland and to the north-east of Turo Turo about two and a half miles, had come down to the houses of Millman and Hiscocks fully armed, and seven or eight with new revolvers ; but as they only found one old. man of the name of Griffiths at the house of the former they did not commit any outrage, at the same time stating that they had come down to drive off the owners of the places, but would not interfere with the old man as he was simply a slave, or something to that effect. I may inform you that some of the settlers wished me very much to call out the Militia Avith all speed, but this T declined doing, as I considered that not only was I not warranted in so doing Avithout express orders from Government, but that I also thought that, owing to the small number of men I could muster, and the generality being married and actual settlers, I would be doing more harm than good to the district; at the same time I informed them that, as far as lay in my power, by patrolling, &c, I would render them every assistance. Some of the settlers inland, about the farms at Tlawera, informed mp that they wished to make Mr. Bradshaw's house a rallying-point in case of danger, and that the latter gentleman had kindly volunteered to do all he could for them, at the same time informing me that they were about holding a meeting about what course they AA'Ould pursue. I told them that whatever arrangements they made about the safety of their wives and families I would most gladly supplement as far as I could, but that I first Avished to learn the temper and feeling of the mooting. I have had as yet no report from thcin. I. was applied to by several settlers for arms and ammunition, but had not any to give them. With reference to the scene of tho murder, yesterday I sent a party of fifteen men, under Mr. AValkcr, to bring iv any property belonging to the men who had been killed, and on his return he reported to me that he examined the place and found bullets in the log, and a mallet covered with blood. Tho property was brought iv and consisted of sawing tools, some boxes and papers, a few blankets, and cooking utensils, &c. Trusting that the steps I have taken in your absence may meet with your approval, I have, &c, W. Hunter, Inspector, A.C, Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell. AVaihi. Commanding Camp, AVaihi.

No. 46. Copy of a Latter from Inspector Hunter to Captain Holt. (No. 2.) Sis— Waihi, 12th June, 1868. I have the honor.to inform you that another barbarous and horrible murder has been committed this afternoon by some Natives. As this occurred when I was absent from camp, I beg to enclose two letters from Sub-Inspector Boss, Armed Constabulary, and Dr. Walker, respectively, with reference to it. About 2.30 p.m. this day I loft camp in order to meet some of the settlers in tho Hawera part of the district, at their request, to concert some measures for their safety, and, accompanied by Captain Cumming, had seen several of them. I had just parted from him, and was riding round towards Waihi to visit Waingongoro on my way back, when I was overtaken by an Orderly, at full gallop, with the letter marked A. from Sub-Inspector Boss. I rode back to camp as hard as I could, and just arrived in time to see the mutilated remains of Constable Smith, Armed Constabulary, brought into the redoubt. The murder took jdaee about a mile and a quarter from camp, and in the open, and Captain Boss assures me that lie could distinguish the flash of the tomahawks. I would urgently request that some arms and ammunition be sent to this post, as several of the settlers have applied to me for the same, and I am unable to give them any ; in fact, unless some immediate steps are taken, the district will lose some, if not all, of its best settlers. It is believed that about twenty-eight Natives took part in this last affair. It .appears to have been done with the greatest deliberation, as they must have been close to the scene of it since last night, no signs of any one being observed there all the day. I have, &c, The Under Secretary, W. Hunter, Inspector, A C, Colonial Defence, Wellington. Commander, Waihi Camp.

Enclosure 1 in No. 46. Copy of a Letter from Sub-Inspector Boss to Inspector Huntee. Sic,— Waihi, 12th June, 1868. I have the honor to report, for your information, that shortly after you left camp for the purpose of attending a meeting of settlers at Hawera, Dr. Walker and myself were walking across the parade-ground at about 3.15 p.m., when, in the direction of the bush, I heard the report of firearms. I immediately turned round, and at Te Whenuku, about a mile and a half from camp, 1 distinctly saw the puffs of smoke from several guns. I immediately ordered the men under arms, and while they were turning out I examined the place with my glasses, and could distinctly see about fifteen men firing sharply at some object I could not make out. Presently 1 saw the men make a rush, and could distinctly see tho flash of something bright rising and falling, when they stopped, and seemed to collect round some object. Dr. Walker 1 had sent out with ail the men I could muster, twenty-two all told, who by this time had reached about half the distance. I then wrote a few lines and despatched the orderly, who you saw. Te Katene came in a few minutes after, and reported having seen a great many Maoris proceeding towards Te Whenuku; upon hearing which I galloped after Dr. Walker and his party —thinking he might be surprised by a party of Natives in reai —to order him back to camp. 1 caught up to him close to the spot where I had distinctly seen the firing from the camp, and after a few moments' search we found the remains of Constable Smith. All we could identify him by was a peculiar lump on his 8