!.—No. 8.
26
PAPERS RELATIVE TO HOROWHENUA.
No. 100. Mr. M. Clabke to the Hon. D. McLean, Wellington. (Telegram.) Otaki Station, 2Sth August, 1871. Matene Whiwhi desires me to tell you that Ngatiraukawa will not agree to remove Watene, but that he is not to touch anything about the place. I believe they arc writing a letter to you on the subject. Last week Watene removed some timber claimed by Muaupoko, which irritated them a good deal. It is these trifles that keep up the excitement. Both sides make mountains of mole-hills. M. Clabke.
No. 101. Mr. E. W. Woon to the Hon. D. McLean. (Telegram.) Wanganui Station, 29th August, 1871. Meeting at Putiki last night; unanimous that Horowhenua dispute be left in your hands for settlement. Strong feeling expressed that Watene, as well as Kemp, should move off disputed land. Kemp's claim to land upheld here. Dawson, Topia, Wiremu, Paku, present. E. W. Woon.
No. 102. The Hon. D. McLean to Mr. E. W. Woon. (Telegram.) Wellington Station, 29th August, 1871. I have no objection to Topia and Heketoa coming down, but the time is rather inconvenient during the press of House business, and I would prefer going up to see them after the Session ia over. Glad that the Natives are willing to leave the Horowhenua dispute to the Government. Donald McLean.
No. 103. Te Eeimana to the Hon. D. McLean. To Mb. McLean, — Native Office, Wanganui, 31st August, 1871. Friend, the father of these people, of Wanganui, of Ngarauru, and of Ngatiapa,—Salutations to you. This is to inform you, with respect to the thought of these people of Wanganui, and of Ngarauru, with respect to Horowhenua; this is the decision of the assembly, that this land be left in your hands to be settled according to law. This is a sincere word to you, in order that peace may reign over the earth. That is all. From Te Eeimana. That is from the whole people. Friend, Mr. McLean, if you coincide with the goodness of these words, write. That is all.
No. 104. Mr. M. Clarke to Mr. H. Halse. Sib,— Otaki, 31st August, 1871. I have the honor to enclose herewith a Eeport relative to the Horowhenua land dispute. I have, &c, H. Halse, Esq., Assistant Native Secretary. M. Claeke.
Enclosure in No. 104. Eeport relative to the Land Dispute at Horowhenua. Upon my arrival at Otaki on Monday, 14th August, I met a messenger with a letter to Major Edwards from Major Kemp, informing him that Ngatihuia had driven away and killed some of their cattle. On receiving this information I determined to proceed to Horowhenua as soon as possible. Early next morning I started, accompanied by the Native policeman. We had scarcely left Otaki when we heard that some of the Ngatiraukawa were building apa at Waiwiri; this proved to be a false report. When we arrived at the Muaupoko runanga house (Keepe), which is about threequarters of a mile on this side of Major Kemp's pa, we were stopped by the Natives. They told us that no one was allowed to enter the pa excepting the Natives belonging to it and Mr. H. McDonald. Under these circumstances I thought it better to remain and do as the Natives desired me, than run the risk of either being sent back again, or entering the pa contrary to the wishes of the Natives. After waiting a short time Major Kemp and party came over to see us. I asked him if he had received a letter from Mr. McLean ? He said, " Tes, but that he had not brought it over with him." I told him that I had seen his letter to Major Edwards, reporting that Ngatihuia had driven off and killed some of their cattle. He told me that some of his men had seen Ngatihuia driving up their working bullocks with some of their cattle amongst them, and that when they approached the drivers they found them armed with guns. They were invited by the Ngatihuia to go and. inspect the cattle ; they saw two of theirs standing close to the pa, but were afraid to go for them, because the others were armed. I asked them if they had any proof that their cattle had been killed ? In reply,