A.—TSo. 13.

AFFAIES ON THE WEST COAST.

31

3. None of the Natives (excepting) those only of the Ngaruahini hapu (Titokowaru's,) have been guilty of the crime of cannibalism. The Tangahoe, Pakakohi, and the Ngarauru, have kept themselves strictly aloof from all acts of cannibalism; and it has been remarked by all the Natives in the Hauhau camp that the men, women, and children of Titokowaru's hapu have suffered severely from a peculiar disease which entirely deprives them of strength, and that a great number have died from it, whilst the other hapus have not suffered at all. 4. That Taurua is constantly regretting that he did not come into Patea when I pressed him to do so. He thought he would be able to continue to live at Hukatere where all his property was. That twice Titokowaru sent messengers to tell him to join him, which he refused to do, and that the third time he was taken prisoner and made to join against his will, and although he has been since that time in Titokowaru's camp, ho has never actually fought against us. Taurua's father, brother, and others of the tribe, are up the Patea Eiver, and have never seen Titokowaru. Paraone did not join Titokowaru when the latter came to this part of the country ; and the only time he has been seen was when he went with the message before mentioned. Titokowaru has not himself ever fought; the men now with Titokowaru number 400 men: their ammunition is all hut spent. Yesterday, Kemp, with a party of Natives, Whanganui and Arawa, followed the track of the Hauhaus for some miles into the bush. Kemp returned last evening to Tauraha, near Manutahi, and he has gone again to-night in command of 300 men, composed of Whanganuis, Arawas, and sixty European volunteers. They have taken three days' provisions, and intend to intercept the enemy if possible at Whakamara. I have, &c, The Hon. the Native Minister, Wellington. James Booth, E.M.

No. 56. Copy of a Letter from Mr. R. Paeeis to Mr. G. S. Coopee. (No. 80.) Sic,— New Plymouth, 2nd April, 1869. I have the honor to report, for the information of His Excellency's Government, that on the 24th ultimo the Tokangamutu delegate, More, who has been in the Taranaki District for the last five months, waiting for the final edict of the Warea chief Te Whiti, came into town therefrom with twelve Waikato Natives, of the Ngatimahuta Tribe, on their way to the North. They stopped at my office for about three hours discussing the action of Ngatimaniapoto in reference to the Pukearuhe murders, which More said was in opposition to the advice of the Tokangamutu councils, und compared it to the action of Titokowaru, both of which he likened to a body from which its spirit was departing, leaving the body to decay. This was the figurative language he used to express his opinion, which he said he should tell them himself as soon as he saw them, whether at Mokau or elsewhere. The party left Urenui on Monday last, 29th ultimo, and were accompanied by a few of our Natives as far as Pukearuhe, where on their arrival at that place they found the enemy had recently been, and had cut down the flagstaff, shot a cow, killed some pigs, and appeared to have taken away a horse, the footprints being visible on the beach. They halted at the redoubt, and sent on two of their young men to ascertain if the Ngatimaniapotos were near; they went on as far as Tongaporutu, but saw no Natives. More and party went on towards Mokau, and our Natives returned and reported what had occurred. I have, &c, R. Paeeis, The Under Native Secretary, Wellington. Civil Commissioner.

No. 57. Copy of a Letter from Mr. G. S. Coopee to Mr. R. Paeeis. (No. 81-2.) Sic,— Native Office, Wellington, 10th May, 1869. Major Charles Brown, of the Taranaki Militia, having been ordered by a Resolution of the House of Representatives to receive a grant of 400 acres of land, as a Field Officer of Military Settlers, has applied to be allowed to select such grant adjoining the area that may be reserved for the Town site at Opunake. I am instructed by the Hon. Colonel Haultain to request that you will, after consulting with His Honor Mr. Henry Richmond, report to the Government whether in your joint opinion it is expedient at present to define Major Brown's allotment, and whether it is advisable that he be allowed to select it in the spot indicated. I have, &c, G. S. Coopee, The Civil Commissioner, Taranaki. Under Secretary.

No. 58. Copy of a Letter from Mr. R. Paeeis to Mr. G. S. Coopee. (No. 116.) Sic,— New Plymouth, 11th May, 1869. I have the honor to forward herewith, for your information, copy of a letter I have received from Mr. Booth, reporting the detention of the chief Te Ika, as a prisoner at Patea, on suspicion of being a spy, and a copy of my reply. I have, &c, R. Paeeis, The Under Native Secretary, Wellington. Civil Commissioner.