F —No. 3

16

PAPERS RELATIVE TO HOROWHENUA.

tribes. Matene Te Whiwhi approves this proposal. I hope Ngatiraukawa will also. I shall probably know this evening. Burning the houses is to come before a Besident Magistrate. There is no danger of a collision between the tribes at present; they are thoroughly afraid of one another. Ngatiraukawa caused the armed demonstrations of Hunia and Kemp, by threatening to keep off, by force of arms, any of their opponents who should attempt to occupy the disputed block. J. T. Edwaeds, E.M.

No. 50. The Hon. D. McLean to Major Edwards. (Telegram.) Napier, 6th July, 1871. The course proposed of referring the dispute to a runanga appears to be the best mode of settlement, and I hope it will be adopted. Donald McLean.

No. 51. Na Meiha and others to Major Edwaeds. To Edwabds, — Horowhenua, 6th July, 1871. Salutation. Tour letter has been received. Well, you need not have any anxiety about my intentions, because you have heard our thoughts expressed. Bather we will continue to wait for the consent about the boundaries —that the disputed boundaries are to be left unoccupied. Enough, we will be steadfast in our thoughts, we will not act contrary to the talk we had together. Enough. From your friends, Na Meiha. Keepa Te Taitoko. Ki Te Übu. Na Hunia Hakeke. A word omitted. If the Ngatiraukawa do not consent to the arrangement about the boundaries, I suppose that will put an end to the purpose you came for. Forwarded for the information of the Hon. the Native Minister. J. T. Edwards, E.M.

No. 52. The Hon. D. McLean to Major KEMr. Napier, Bth July, 1871. It will be right for both you and Kawana Hunia to respect the law, so that the people may be saved. Donald McLean.

No. 53. The Hon. D. McLean to Matene Te Whiwhi. Napier, Sth July, 1871. I have telegraphed to Te Keepa and Hunia to leave it for the law to settle this dispute, that is for tho chiefs of the Maori and pakeha. Be strong, so that the people may be saved. Donald McLean.

No. 54. Notes of a Conversation Mr. M. Clarke had with Wi Tako Ngatata. I was at Wi Tako's house talking to him when he received the letter attached. After reading it to himself, he read it aloud for tho benefit of those assembled. After talking about it some time, I told him that Major Edwards had gone up to Otaki to settle this dispute. In reply, he said he did not believe that he would succeed, for they had already arranged this dispute, but Hunia wanted to fight. He had advised Ngatiraukawa to leave it to the law, for Hunia and Kepa had committed a criminal offence, and that they ought to bo tried in the Supreme Court; that if the Government would not settle it, and would promise to leave them alone, they would settle it; but ho was afraid the Government would support their Generals, as they had done at Taranaki. He said the Government did not care how much they killed each other, but if they killed an European it was murder, and the murderers must be brought to justice. He complains that Government rifles and ammunition should be used for Native purposes, but still if tho Government would not interfere they would not mind the rifles. I told him to tell Ngatiraukawa to wait quietly until Mr. McLean returned from Napier. He replied that he had already recommended that course, but that if Ngatiapa returned the bodies of Whatanui and others, and threw them into the river as they had threatened to do, he could not vouch for the consequences. M. Clarke. Bth July, 1871.