MAORI PRISONERS EROM CHATHAM ISLANDS.

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A—No. 15.

operations now going on or threatened at Patea or "Waikato. The coincidence in time seems therefore to be purely accidental. Erom casual expressions let fall from time to time, and thought nothing of then by those who heard them, but the significance of which has since become apparent, I am induced to think that the sending down of seed wheat by the Government, which the Hauhaus were told was intended partly for food for next year, and partly for seed for the following season, was looked upon by them as a sign that their detention was to be indefinitely prolonged; and hence the determination to escape at aL hazards. Upon looking back at this extraordinary episode in the history of New Zealand, it is difficult to say whether one's wonder is excited more by the precision, rapidity, and completeness with which the enterprise was planned and executed, or by the moderation shown in the hour of victory by a gang of barbarous fanatics who in a moment found their former masters bound at their feet, and their lives entirely at their mercy. Captain Thomas has given a detail of the money and arms taken away by the fugitives. They are evidently well supplied, having £500 in cash, 49 stand of firearms, three swords, a large quantity of ammunition, and as much flour, sugar, and tobacco as they chose to remove from the " Rifleman." They took not only all the cash from the Government chest, but from all the houses on the beach, the only exception being the case of one lady, a widow, who hid a bag of sovereigns (about £300 I believe) in a tea kettle which happened to be boiling over the fire at the time. With regard to the three men remaining on the Island, I learned from Captain Thomas that the two Maoris, together with a third named Te Warihi Potini, —who, there is little reason to doubt, was the one thrown overboard from the "Rifleman," —had, since the commencement of Te Kooti's Hauhau practices (of which they gave Captain Thomas information), kept aloof from the other prisoners, and tad always conducted themselves quietly and well. These men have both told mo that had they not fortunately been out of the way when the rising took place, their lives would certainly have been sacrificed, as they feel convinced was that of Te Warihi. Captain Thomas and I agreed that thero was no use in keeping these men any longer on the Island, and I have taken the responsibility of directing them, with the wife of one of them, to proceed to Wellington in the " Stormbird," there to be disposed of as the Government may direct. As to the third remaining prisoner, named Simmonds, better known by the soubriquet of " Black Bob," we thought it advisable that he should remain under surveillance, pending further instructions. The settlers here expect the Government to reimburse them for all losses sustained by them through the escape of the Hauhaus, whether for arms and money seized, or for cargo damaged on board the "Rifleman"; also for the loss of the ketch "Florence." I have taken care in everything that I have said to avoid any expression that might complicate affairs, or embarrass the Government in any action they may decide upon taking in regard to these matters. I have, &c, The Hon. J. C. Richmond, Wellington. G. S. Coopeb.

Enclosure 1 in No. 2. Ki nga kai hapai ote ture. Ki te Uunanga oto whare nui. E hoa ma rapua mai he oranga mo tatou. Kua kite au ito koutou tika i te timatanga iho ano oto tatou Karakia. E hoa ma ki a kaha ki te rapu ite mea ngaro hei ora mo tatou. Heoi. Na Te Kooti. Inahoki kua mahue tatou na te ngoikore. Inaianei kua puta mai ko ta te Tamaiti tikanga raua ko tona Matua. Ete iwi kia kaha meake ka puta mai he kaipuke mo tatau. Ki te kore aTe Kira e homai eTe Atua mo tatau, he kaipuke ke atu. Koia tenei ko te kaipuke nei, ko taku taima tenei. E te iwi kia kaha.

[translation.] To the upholders of the law. To the Council of the big house. My friends, seek for deliverance for us. I have seen that you have been right since we began our Karakia. My friends, be strong in seeking out the hidden thing that is to save us (alluding to a riddle that he had given them). Enough. From Te Kooti. For it is on account of weakness that we have been forsaken (i. e., because you have not taken up the new religion with zeal). But now has come forth the direction (revelation) of the Son and of His Father. Oh people, be strong ! Soon shall appear a vessel for us. If the " St. Kilda" is not given to us by God, there will be some other vessel. That is it, the vessel, then will be my time. Oh peoplo, be strong !

Enclosure 2 in No. 2. He Titee. Tuatahi. Ki te puta he kupu a muri nei me whakamana tonu. Tuarua. Ko te tupato ki nga mahi kei runga ite tima. Ki te peka ki tenei mea ka mate. Ka mau ki to Atua he oranga kei reira.

[translation.] A Law. Ist. If a word (revealed) comes forth hereafter, let it be implicitly obeyed. 2nd. To be cautious about the work on board the steamer. If any one turns aside (from obeying the prophet's order), it is death for him. If he adheres to God (obeys), his safety is there. 4