MAORI PRISONERS EROM CHATHAM ISLANDS.

A.—No. 15.

5

Statement of the Siege made by the Hauhau Prisoners on the Redoubt at the Chatham Islands, on the 4th July, 1868, by Patrick Cotter. I was in the redoubt on the said day, and shortly after dinner time I was in the guardroom, and I seen the Hauhau prisoners coming into the guardroom, and sitting about fire and on the bunks, and to the best of my belief it would be about half-past two o'clock when they rush on us and threw us on the ground, and tied our hands and feet with flax ropes, and I seen them take the rifles and belts and everything that was of any use for wear. I was on the ground tied for an hour when there was a civilian came in and cut tho ropes. That all that I can remember. Private Cotter.

Statement of Geobge John Hemmington, one of the G-uard. BEING down on the beach on the 4th of July, I saw a great number of Hauhau prisoners about the redoubt. I came up to the redoubt, and before I knew where I was standing, I was seized by two Hauhau prisoners, and I made my escape from them, but before I got far away I was caught again by another, and we rolled down the stairs together, and after they tied my feet and hands, and dragged me from the steps. There was one of the prisoners took a bayonet, and was about to pierce me with it, when one of the chiefs drew him back. The name of the prisoner that was about to kill me was Ttawiri, the boy, and the other that prevented him was Napare, the prisoner. I was laid in the redoubt, and I saw the prisoners ransacking everything about the square. That was all I saw. I am, &c, GrEORGE JOHN HEMMINGTON.

Waitangi, 4th July, 1868. Seeing of tho Hauhau prisoners. I seen three Natives fire off their rifles down the steps, at what I can't say. I then seen Captain Thomas's sword come over, carried by Paul, Captain Thomas's boy, and given to Popheia, he being then on the top of the redoubt. There was a number of tho Natives in the redoubt at prayers, and a number of them had rifles and bayonets ; their bayonets fixed. They then shouted out, and it was answered from the pa, and then the women and children went down the hill towards the beach, with their clothing, and the boat left the beach and went to the " Rifleman" schooner, with an armed party in the boat, taking charge of the vessel. The armed party at the redoubt then taking the ammunition from the magazine, divided it amongst the whole of them at the redoubt. I then seen Captain Thomas handcuffed, and taken down the steps by some Natives. Three Natives came over towards me, and then turned back, and in a few minutes came two Natives and broke open my house, and pointed two revolvers at mo and my wife ; the same entered the house and ransacked the place, taking money and clothing. Tours respectfully, A. Plummer.

Statement of the Hatjhatt Peisoners' Bbeakout on the 4th of July. Being on guard that day, I made inquiries what so many of the prisoners was doing around in the redoubt, and they said they were waiting for flour coming ashore to be taken to the store. It was raining very heavy at that time, and I had no suspicion*on them. I was in the guardroom at the time along with some of the guard, when they made the rush upon us. J. was seized by three of the Hauhau prisoners and threw on the ground, and tied me with flax both hands and feet. I was standing a few seconds before I was knocked down along with Hartnett by our bunks. My back was turned towards Hartnett when they rushed on me, and when I turned my head round to see who was upon me, I saw one of the prisoners lifting his arm and make a cut at Hartnett with a tomahawk. He cut him on the forehead, and before I could see any more I was on the ground with my face to it. The prisoner that made the cut with the tomahawk at Hartnett was Toma-ha-na, a tall man ; and at the same time they made a cut at me, but I fell at the time and they missed the blow. I saw them take the rifles and belts from us. That all that I can remember. Joseph E. Johnson.

Statement of E. W. Eaynek, European Constable, respecting the Escape of the Hauhau Prisoners from Waitangi, Chatham Islands, on Saturday the 4th July, 1868. About 3'40 p.m., on that day, I was sitting in my own room at the gaol, writing, when I was startled by hearing shots fired from the redoubt, —also, at the same instant, by the hurried entrance of two men attached to the Armed Constabulary, who told me the redoubt was taken possession of by the Hauhaus. I went outside, and could plainly see Hauhaus walking on the top of the redoubt parapet, brandishing rifles. lat once perceived resistance to be useless, so returned to my own room and endeavoured to conceal some firearms. I then went outside again and saw Mr. Shand, Native Interpreter, lying bound on the beach, —also two men of the Armed Constabulary standing near my gate, with whom I entered into conversation. A number of Hauhaus were at this time in a boat about halfway from the shore to the schooner " Eifieman." Whilst standing at the gate about a dozen Hauhaus came up and told us to go into the lockup, saying in Maori that they would not harm us. They were unarmed, with the exception of one man, who had a sword. We went in and were locked up. After this I did not hear a shot fired as long as the Hauhaus wore on shore. I heard in all five or six shots fired. About 4'30 p.m., we were released by some Europeans, civilians, who had been allowed to remain at liberty. I then went to the debtors' ward, and found Captain Thomas handcuffed, and several others locked up there with him. The padlock was knocked off, and we proceeded in a body to Captain Thomas's house. On my way there I saw the ketch " Florence," which had been removed close to the " Eifleman," whilst I was locked up, with her mizen set and jib half-hoisted drifting in the 2