A.—No, 21

16

CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT

The pursuit by the Europeans of Te Kooti is correct, because he has murdered many Europeans, and Maoris also; on that account the Maoris and Europeans are on their guard against that man. The Europeans have no evil intention towards the Maori of Hauraki. They are quiet. From your friend, To Te Hira Te Tuiri, Ohinemuri, Waihou. Donald M'Lean.

No. 44. The Hon. Mr. M'Lean to Wi Te Pukapuka. Friend Wi, — Auckland, 24th January, 1870. I have received your letter, giving me an account of Te Kooti's whereabouts, and with reference also to the people who are sitting quietly at the Waotu. I am much pleased with the trouble you have taken, and I request you to continue to put me in possession of what is going on in your part of the country. The Government will not in any way interfere or molest the people who are now sitting at the Waotu, if they continue to sit quietly and peaceably. Finally, I request you to continue to write to me, and to furnish me with the news of what is going on in that part of the country. Your friend, To Wi Te Pukapuka, Te Kuiti, Waikato. Donald M'Lean.

No. 46. Wi Te Whero to the Hon. Mr. M'Lean. account op my visit to te kuiti. On the 25th day of January we halted and slept at Hamilton. On the 26th we reached the settlement of Louis Hetit, a European, at Otorohanga. He said to me, " I have received a letter from Manuwhiri, in which he says, ' If the companions of Te Wheoro are natives, then let them come to the Kuiti;' but I said to him (Manuwhiri) that it would perhaps be better if he came and saw you here." Bewi is gone to prevent his people living at Wharepapa and at Aotearoa from joining Te Kooti's people. In the evening Takerei Te Bau and Te Kuri came to see inc. They also told me that Bewi had gone to prevent the natives at Aotearoa from joining Te Kooti. Te Wheoro, in reply, said—" Truly ; but better still would it be if the whole of the Waikato were to withdraw, or keep from joining or rendering assistance to that man. Then indeed would Bewi be doing good service." Takerei —The Waikatos do not approve of that man. They object to his coming into these parts. Manuwhiri used his influence to deter the Waikatos from joining him. On the 27th day Louis Hetit and myself started again, and at eight o'clock in the evening we arrived at Te Kuiti. The people of this place had already heard by a messenger who had preceded us that we were on our way, whereupon Tawhiao and his younger brother, Te Huirama, came out some little way to meet us. We met at the end of the main road, and one of the persons who met us said, " Follow close behind us;" but we were not aware that the person who was addressing us was Tawhiao himself. The residents of the place now stood up to give us welcome, and even the people of the place were unaware that it was Tawhiao himself who was with me as we approached the settlement, for it was dark, and they did not see him leave the settlement to come and meet me. As we approached near to the village, Tawhiao himself gave the cry of welcome, and then it was that it became known that it was Tawhiao himself that was with us ; and we went straight on to the house of Tiaho Te Wherowhero (Sophia), and there we found Manuwhiri, Takiwaru, Makereta Te Wherowhero, Te Tuhi, and several others. Having rubbed noses in the usual Maori style, we entered the house. We saw the pledge of Hope, at the front of the house known as Te Kuiti; but we were entertained at the house of Tawhiao. We stopped at the house, but nothing whatever was said during that evening. In the morning we proceeded to the house of Manuwhiri, and there I found some Natives from Whanganui ; and after some time I addressed Manuwhiri in the following terms : — The object of my coming here is to lay before you the idea of the Government with reference to what took place between M'Lean and yourselves. That word is now still under consideration, and another thing, it has been reported that you have stretched out your hands to succour and help Te Kooti in his evil designs. Manuwhiri—There is truth in that assertion; for instance, as Te Kooti came from Taupo, be on his way killed some Europeans, and on his return from hence lie killed four of our people, whereupon I expressed an opinion that it would be a right thing for the Europeans or the Government to follow him up and take him ; but the Europeans did not go in pursuit of him. It was left for Topia to do this part of the work. My answer to what you have just said is this : —Do not take any part in following up or attacking Te Kooti. Let him remain as he is. Let him alone. [Just at this time Tawhiao came in to listen to our conversation.] Te Wheoro—lf Te Kooti is attacked, do not extend your hand to protect him. Let him suffer the penalty of the crimes he has committed in murdering in cold blood men, women, and children ; and for this reason it is that Topia has gone in pursuit to catch him if he can. Manuwhiri—lt is not my fault. Had he listened to what I said to him, but he persisted, and then the Government supplied Topia with arms with which to attack the people, while the arms that I purchased with my own money you took from me at Ngaruawahia.