F.—No. 6b

12

FURTHER REPORTS FROM OFFICERS

No. 17. Mr. Paeeis to the Hon. D. McLean. Sie,— New Plymouth, 29th December, 1870. I have the honor to report that Ihaia Kirikumara has recently been with a party of Natives to the Ngatimaru district, for the purpose of visiting Wiremu Kingi Rangitake, having been requested to do so (as he states) by Rewi, when at Tokangamutu. Wiremu Kingi Rangitake refused to see them, but all his people met them and were very civil to them, as were also Titokowaru and-his people. It appears there was a deal of talk about the murder of Mr. Todd at Pirongia, in reference to which both Hapurona and Titokowaru are said to have stated that they would take no part should trouble arise out of it. Hapurona professes to be displeased with Wiremu Kingi Rangitake for keeping aloof so long ; hisc own people also express themselves dissatisfied with him on the same grounds. I have, &c, R. Paeeis, The Hon. the Native Minister, Wellington. Civil Commissioner.

No. 18. Mr. Paeeis to the Hon. D. McLean. Sib, — , New Plymouth, sth January, 1871. , I have the honor to forward herewith, for your information, a statement of two Natives who have lately returned from Mokau, supplied to me by the chief Pamariki Raumoa. I have, &c, R. Paeeis, The Hon. the Native Minister, Wellington. Civil Commissioner.

Enclosure in No. 18. [Teanslation.] Statement by Pamakiki Raumoa. The Statement of Pirimona and Arapata on arriving from Mokau. These are the words of importance. Rerenga (Wetere) said : " I have done with this work, which has brought trouble upon mo. It was the King who said, ' Rise and kill,' when Mr. Whiteiey was slain ; let that be upon him. Now, therefore, if Parris comes here, I shall return to my former work (allegiance to the Government)." Reihana said, in reference to this killing of the King's : " Some time ago, Tawhiao said ' Rise and kill,' and Mr. Whiteley was killed. He then said, ' Put a stop to killing.' I then said, ' Killing has been resumed, let it be continued, when Tawhiao said, ' No, stop it.' " Now killing is commenced again. I therefore now say, Listen no longer to this sort of work. All have been guilty. If Parris comes, wo will recommend him not to go on to Waikato, but to return therefrom. Prom Pasiabiki Ratjmoa.

From Pamariki Eaumoa.

No. 19. Mr. Halse to Mr. Paeeis. Sie,— Native Office, Wellington, 11th January, 1871. I am directed by Mr. Gisborno to transmit the enclosed slips from the Taranaki Herald, of 31st December, on the subject of a robbery committed by Titokowaru and his followers, on friendly Natives, at the Matakaha village in October last, and to request you to report whether there is any1 truth in the statement that, unless the Natives are paid for losses sustained, they intend to seize any property of Titokowaru'a that may come in their way. I have, &e., 11. Halse, The Civil Commissioner, New Plymouth. Assistant Under Secretary.

No. 20. Mr. Paeeis to Mr. Halse. Sie, — New Plymouth, 18th January, 1871. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 10-2, of the 11th instant, enclosing a slip from the Taranaki Herald respecting the case of sheep-killing by Titokowaru's people at Matakaha, as they were returning from the Parihaka meeting in September last, brought about by the poisoning of some dogs whilst they were stopping at Matakaha, which I reported at the time. A short time ago, the Matakaha Natives, in retaliation, seized a horse which a Native named Kuru •(who was with Titokowaru's party at the time) was riding, which on hearing of, I wrote to them immediately, requesting them to give up the horse and desist from such a course, which would only bring trouble upon them. The horse belonged to a Kaupokonui Native, and Manaia, the chief there, came to Matakaha about it, and the matter was settled. I have no doubt the Matakaha Natives would like the Government to pay them for their sheep, but I am not aware that they have held out any threats if the Government does not do so, except the threat of reprisals on Titokowaru's people.