MAORI PRISONERS FROM CHATHAM ISLANDS.

3

A.—No. 15,

suggestion and request made at the time, and afterwards, of the prisoners first being deported here, that the guard should be strengthened in proportion to the numbers of the prisoners sent, met with the approval of the Government. I beg herewith to enclose for the information of the Government, — 1. Reports I have collected, with Schedule attached (Nos. 1-14), from F. E. Fynmore and others, of the late outbreak. 2. A return showing what arms and ammunition were looted by the prisoners. 3. Return showing stores looted by the prisoners, and of what were in hand on the 31st ultimo, included in a return of stores received and expended from the Ist to the 31st ultimo : likewise return of utensils and implements accounted for during the same period, attached to one another. Concerning the stores in hand, I await your instructions. Owing to the " Rifleman " having brought stores for settlers on the Islands, which were taken away on board, I have issued a supply to some individuals, as shown in this return, informing them that they will be called on to return the quantities issued either in money or kind. You will perceive included in this return, a quantity of potatoes, —fifty tons ; and there is also, in addition, about one acre not lifted. I have also had thirty-nine bushels of wheat sown out of the one hundred provided in April last. This wheat has been sown since the outbreak, the seed having been pickled preparatory for sowing before the revolt, as it was beginning to rot. I would suggest, therefore, that the produce of the wheat should be given to the Waitangi Natives, who have received, as yet, no remuneration for the land occupied by the prisoners. 4. Statement of moneys taken by the prisoners, with known numbers of notes attached. Several Government cheques on the Bank of New Zealand, Wellington, are included in the amount; but as they have passed through several hands, the numbers cannot be accurately known. 5. Statements of claims for losses sustained at the hands of the prisoners (Nos. 1-24), of Child and Co., and others, of the amount of five hundred and thirty pounds five shillings and four pence sterling, which claims I have been requested to forward. This amount includes a statement of my own for sixty pounds twelve shillings and fivepence. 0. Duty Roister of detachment Armed Constabulary on the 4th ultimo. In addition to the two letters written by Te Kooti, and handed to Mr. Cooper, I have also handed to that gentleman the tomahawk by which Private Michael Hartnett, of the Constabulary, met his death. The evidence of the coroner's inquest hold by me on the body of the above private on the 6th ultimo, I forward by this mail to the Registrar of the Supreme Court, Wellington, and the warrant for the apprehension and commitment of Tamihana Teketeke, against whom a verdict of wilful murder was found, I forward likewise to the Hon. Colonial Secretary, Judicial Branch. I have, &c. The Hon. the Defence Minister, Wellington. W. E. Thomas, R.M.

Enclosure 1 in No. 1. Schedule of Repohts made by Paeties respecting the late Otjtbbeak of the llauiiaijs at Chatham Islands, on 4th Jtjlt, 1868. 1. F. E. Fynmore, late Sergeant, A.C. 8. Johnson, Constable, A.C. 2. Muirhea'd, Constable, A.C. 9. Eayner, G-aoler. 3. Sellwood, Constable, A.C. 10. Mullooly, Constable, A.C. 4. Robert Hardie. 11. Mrs. Alexander. 5. Cotter, Constable, A.C. 12. 11. G-ason, Constable, A.C. 6. Hemmington, Constable, A.C. 13. Elliott, Constable, A.C. 7. Hummer. 14. Marshall, Corporal, A.C. "W. E. Thomas, E.M. Chatham Islands, Thursday, 9th July, 1868. I was sitting reading in my house at about 2.45 p.m. on Saturday, the 4th instant, when my attention was drawn towards the redoubt by the report of firearms. I immediately got up, and looking from my window I saw several Hauhau prisoners of war, coming from the redoubt, with firearms in their hands. One Hauhau was on the top of the corner of the redoubt wall, flourishing a drawn sword; and another close to him with a rifle. I saw at once that the prisoners had risen. I saw two or three prisoners fire their rifles down the steps leading from the redoubt to the beach, and saw Captain Thomas, R.M., on the bridge leading into the redoubt. I saw a prisoner seize him, as I thought, round the waist; there were several prisoners around Captain Thomas, with rifles and other weapons, at this time'. I sent my wife and family away across the Waitangi River, to Captain Thomas's residence, telling her to inform Mrs. Thomas of the revolt of the Hauhaus. I was now standing in the verandah of my house, and saw two prisoners coming towards me with rifles. I went round my house into the bush at the back, for I had no firearms in my possession. I saw from the bush the two above-mentioned prisoners go to my house, and soon after leave again. Shortly afterwards I saw my servant, Hori Waihopi, go to my house with another prisoner, with a drawn sword, and after remaining there a short time leave again ; then the prisoners at the redoubt gave a yell, which was answered by the Hauhau women at the prisoners' quarters, and then the women rushed down the hill and embarked in the boats, and went on board the "Rifleman" schooner, lying then in the Waitangi Bay. Shortly afterwards the whole of the male prisoners of war left the redoubt, in Indian file, with arms and accoutrements, and went down the steps on to the beach. I saw them go on board the " Rifleman," in boats ; about twenty minutes afterwards I saw four Hauhaus running towards and go into my house with rifles; they remained there about five minutes, and then went away down to the beach. I witnessed what I have here stated from the bush at the back of my house, about 220 yards from the redoubt. I then loft the bush, and went to seek my wife and family, as I was not certain where they were. This is all I saw of the revolt myself, and all that I could swear to. Feedeeick Exgleden Fynmobe.