THE SURRENDER OE TE WAKE, ETC.

A.—No. 16.

11

right eyebrow. I wiped it, and found a cut, which had been done either by a knife or by a kick from a boot. As soon as I removed the clotted blood, it flowed again. I wiped the place three times, and each time the blood ran afresh. He had apparently been dead two days. The head was wet with the rain which had fallen on the Friday. There were some maggots in the mouth. I did not notice any other wound. I saw blood on the doorstep. I have heard the Maoris wished to kill Paora for being a sorcerer. The Ngatimaru were at first told that the man died from natural causes, and afterwards it was a murder. I bid the murder because you had said that we (Pai Marire) were bad people, and you would not allow us to take our religion to Ilauraki. I thought that as now I had something against you, I would keep it quiet. If you committed a second murder, I would then take revenge for both. I, the bad Pai Marire, have done no wrong : your side has given the first offence. A good deal of blood flowed when I wiped the wound. I returned to Ohinemuri, and sent word to Hamiora Kewha that Paora was dead. Taiata took the message. I told her Paora was dead. I said there was blood. I did not say he was murdered. When I spoke of blood, the woman said 'Ho has been stabbed by the Europeans.' I made her no answer." Hamiora Kewha :" On Saturday evening I heard of Paora's death. On Sunday at sunrise I went to his place at Eangura. I found the body lying on its right side. I saw blood on the door-step. Taiata and Bahera, two women, were with me. I turned over the body, and saw five pools of blood under it. I then drew it out of the house. I saw two cuts in the shirt, and it was stained with blood. I lifted it and found a wound under the right arm-pit, another just below the ribs on the right side, one on the right buttock, one on the right thigh, and one on the calf of the right leg. I then saw the cut on the eyebrotv. This made six wounds all on the right side. They had been made with a knife. The blood was only under the body, with the exception of that on the door-step. The only clothing was the shirt. I think he must have been either held down and stabbed, or stabbed when sleeping. That is how I account for the wounds all being on the right side. I think the right side being nearest the ground, was caused by the murderers having turned it over to hide the wounds. The women saw the wounds. They are not present now. I can have them here to-morrow. lam the owner of the property stolen. It was all right on Sunday, the 4th, when we went to bring the body. I returned there on the Bth, and it was all gone. I then went to the flax-cutters' camp ; they had left for Hikutaia. I went there and found a gun, which I recognised as my property; it was concealed under some raupo. I then said the two women, Taiata and Eahera, must come early next morning. The robbery appeared pretty clear, and from what I had heard from the Europeans, there would be little doubt that the men in custody would be convicted of it. It had, however, been clearly proved that the robbery did not take place until after Paora te Waitau had been buried, as the goods were all right when Hamiora went there for that purpose. If the goods had been missing at the time the man was found murdered, it would, if they were found in possession of the Europeans, be a strong proof against them, especially if there were any other circumstances connected with the murder which could bo brought against them. As it was, the goods being stolen could not be taken as evidence against the Europeans in the murder case. The murder might be done by one person, and the property be stolen by others. The best plan to satisfy all parties would be to exhume the body. I tad sent to Coromandel for a surgeon, and he would be able to tell the nature of the wounds." Tukukino: "I am well satisfied with the examination you have made; you wish to get at the truth. But Ido not wish my dead to be cast about by the doctors. Paora did not say that he wished to be dug up after his death. Had he expressed such a desire, it might be done. I say let him remain. Tou ought to be satisfied with our evidence of the wounds. The women shall also come to-morrow. Mr. Mackay :" I wish to see the body so as to satisfy every one. If you go to Court about it, and you are asked whether you did not first state the death was from natural causes, and whether you did not afterwards say it was a murder, you will have to say " Yes" to both questions, then who will believe it ? The Europeans will have lawyers, and they will say the body ought to have been examined. As to the doctor cutting the body, I will promise you ho shall do no such thing; if the wounds are as you have stated, there will be no need to cut the body; they will be apparent to the eye at once. It is only in cases of poisoning that the surgeons cut open the bodies, or when the cause of death is not apparent. If you object to a doctor, we will all go to the place where the body is buried. You shall dig it up and show it to me. I will look at it in your presence, that will satisfy me. Hira Kake said : " The body shall not be dug up. If Eiwai and Ngatimaru come, I will not allow them to touch it. If you or they attempt to dig it up, I will resist you. You can hear the case without digging up the body, and I will not allow you or any one else to dig it up. Mr. Mackay :"It is the law that bodies shall be disinterred in such cases. Therefore I wish to see the body. I only do so to prevent future disputes about it. Let us all go and look at it. There is no occasion to quarrel about it. I will not touch it: you can unfold the blanket. I only wish to see it. Ngatimaru are not satisfied now that it is a murder. You have this day blamed them as partly causing it. Let us see the body, that they may know that your accusation is true. Tukukino : " The body shall not be taken up. I and all the Ngatitamatera will oppose you, or any one else who attempts to dig it up. What docs it matter to you whether the body is wounded or not? I hid it, and did not want you to know it. Who asked you to come here about it ? You can leave the question alone." Mr. Mackay: "You have indirectly accused the Europeans of the murder. If they have done it, they shall not go unpunished. If a Maori has done it, he shall be punished also. It is my duty to make these inquiries. I now tell you, I will see that body, and if you please to oppose me by force, you may. You will be wrong. I shall have the law on my side. You had far better agree to let me dig it up quietly. I did not come here to quarrel, but to prevent further ill-feeling, if possible. You had better let the body be taken up." A general dissent was given. Te Hira, and many others, then left the meeting. HanauruTaipari, Native Assessor, then asked Tukukino to return in the morning with the two women. Tliis he consented to do. On the 20th March, Taiata and Eahera confirmed the evidence of Hamiora Kewha about the wounds on the body, except that on the calf of the right leg. They described all the others as being on the right side, and in the same place as before mentioned. I again entered on the subject