AND MAORI CHIEFS.

19

A.—No. 21

Another statement—lf you manage Waikato well, peace will be made. The only reason for delay is the murders of Mr. Whitely and of Mr. Volkner, and other murders committed by them. They (the King party) are afraid lest the heavy stone should be turned over on them. That is why they take so long to consider. Enough said. From your friend, The Hon. Mr. M'Lean, Auckland. Hetaraka Nero.

No. 54. Hemi Matini to the Hon. Mr. M'Lean. To Mr. M'Lean,— Eaglan, 2nd March, 1870. Greeting. Listen : The party to lament for Te Awaitaia have arrived. No chief came, hence no word of it was sent to you. If Manuwhiri and Bewi had come, a letter would have reached you. This meeting has no policy. I asked for an expression of opinion, but they had nothing to say. Only one statement fell from the chief of the meeting, viz., " That Te Kooti has been left for the friendly Native forces and Europeans to catch, that is to kill." I said, "Do not let Waikato arise to assist Te Kooti; let Waikato sleep, and not assist." They replied, "Te Kooti has been given over to you." I said, "Yes ; leave him to me, to the European side." These are the chiefs : Takerei, Kiwi TeTuhi, Haupokia, Hari, and Hauauru. These were their words.; what they stated was that if he had not been attacked by you, they themselves would have put down Te Kooti. This is all I have to say to you. Hemi Matini.

No. 55. Ngatuere to Mr. G. S. Cooper. To Mr. Cooper,— Waiohine, Wairarapa, 25th February, 1870. Sir, salutations to you. This is a question to you. I have heard it said among the Maoris that the Government of New Zealand are making arrangement with the Government of England which will result in ruin to [the Maori inhabitants of] this island. If that word is correct, tell me ; do not hide the calamity which is to befal the people and the land. Shew your affection for me, and inform me speedily. The people and all the runanga of Wairarapa are in great consternation on account of this report of the action to be taken by you, the Government. From me, your friend, Ngatuere.

No. 56. Mr. Cooper to Ngatuere. (Telegram.) Wellington, Ist March. What you have heard is false. You will see by the letter which lam writing to you. G. S. Cooper.

No. 57. Mr. Cooper to Ngatuere. To Ngatuere,— Wellington, 2nd March, 1870. Friend, you have done quite right in forwarding me information relative to the Maoris ; continue to do this for the future, and I will in return send you letters for the information of yourself and the runanga of Wairarapa. This is my reply to you : Trust to me, because my word is true ; the talk which you have heard is false, and that is why I say to you, and to the runanga of Wairarapa, do not alarm yourselves about those false statements. This is all. From your friend, G. S. Cooper.

No. 58. Wiremu Katene to Mr. M'Lean. Friend, Mr. M'Lean, — Waimate, Bth February, 1870. Salutations. All your letters have come, acquainting us about Te Kooti's doings. Sufficient. We all thank you, for you are the first Minister who has enlightened us with news from those parts, so that we, the people of this district of our island, may know what is going on. There is no news here. We have heard of the Governor's intended visit to the Bay of Islands. You will not, perhaps, accompany him. Has our letter reached you ? From your friend, Wiremu Katene.

No. 59. The Hon. Mr. M'Lean to Manuwhiri. To Manuwhiri, — Auckland, Ist March, 1870. Salutations to you. On the day before yesterday, Te Hura and Hotereni Taipari came to the office at Auckland. I asked Te Hura—"Did Manuwhiri and Bewi desire you to come?" He replied—