G.—4.

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be speedy in catching that mau. We are very dark about this trouble which has occurred in our absence. Tell us if they go. Tapa. Te Keepa. ITeij. J. Sheehan.

Fbiend Me. Sheehan, — Te Aro Pa, Wellington, 22nd September, 1878. This is a notification of ours, the Ngarauru Tribe, now in Wellington, about the news of this murder, as we heard that an European had been killed at Moumahaki, Waitotara District. We are very sad in consequence of this evil news, and we are at a loss to know the reason for this murder being committed by that man, because he was out of place among the Ngarauru people : that murderer belongs to Waikato. Friend Mr. Sheehan, if we had been at Waitotara we would have caught that man, but we, the leading men, are here at Wellington. As it is, we will telegraph to the Maoris to arrest that murderer. Friend Mr. Sheehan, do you publish our words that the Europeans may see them. From us, the Ngarauru people, in great distress in consequence of this murder. Reeeeangi and Others. From the Ngarauru people now in Wellington.

Hon. Mr. Sheehan. 23rd September, 1878. I know your trouble at this moment re McLean's murder. Had the matter any political significance, the surveyors or the chainmen would have been the victims. I expect a dispute about pigs, or, perhaps, a woman, is at the bottom of it. Eewi and all our people will be very vexed, and it will upset their minds for some time thinking of such a crime. I telegraphed to McMillan to go direct to Mokau from New Plymouth last night, and keep his own counsel until he saw Shore and Takerau together. If the murderer goes that way —which is the most likely road—Takerau will safely hand him over to Government in spite of anybody. He will either bring him into Pukearuhe, or detain him and send word to the commanding officer. If the murderer has gone through Mokau ahead of McMillan, word will be immediately sent to Pukearuhe. There is a track and chain of settlements from Ketemarae (Noruianby) through the back country. He may have taken that way. I have, &c, J. Jones.

[Tbanslation.] To John Sheehan, Native Minister. Kaipo, Waitotara, 23rd September, 1878. I beg to report to you respecting this crime, and also about the man who has murdered this European. From your friend, Hone Pihama. Hone Pihama asked, Who knows about this crime ? Te Uranga : I know nothing about it. Hone Pihama: Tou may sit down. Perhaps there is some one else who knows. Rangiwhakairione : The bridge at Moumahaki was put up ; the bridge was crossed; the pigs came back ; the dog was caught by that man attacking the pig ; the dog was shot: therefore I know [or conclude] that he stole the gun and the money, and that that was the reason why lie killed the pakeha. Pairama said that he heard from the European that his property had been stolen by that man Hiroki. Te Huritau : Ido not know about it. I have heard. I have not seen. I heard that he stole the property of the European. Wi then stood up and said, "When we saw our children with Hiroki, he called out and said, " Go back with your children. I have broken my . I have shot the European at Moumahaki, and he is dead." That old man then become afraid, and he went and told the Maoris and Europeans about that murder, and that it was the act of that man alone. Afterwards, on Sunday, the 22nd September, the murderer came out at Tamanui's place, at Momohaki, but Tamanui did not know that that man was a murderer ; and on Monday, the 23rd, his child went to fetch him. I then asked Nui, What did that man have in his possession ? Tamanui: Hiroki had a gun and a watch in his hand ; the gun was loaded, and there were caps on the nipples—it was a double-barrelled gun. He (Tamauui) believed that it was the gun of! the European, which had been stolen by that man, because the tribe knew that he never possessed a double-barrelled gun before. Hiroki's mother is a Waikato woman ; his father is of Whanganui—Ngarauru. Hone Pihama.

Rewi Maniapoto, Waitara. Wellington, 23rd September, 1878. In my opinion there is nothing to cause uneasiness in connection with the murderer of the European at AVaitotara. It was Wiremu Hiroki. Hiroki's place of abode is at AVaitotara. These are the words that I have heard about that man : Wiremu Hiroki is known by the Maoris of AVhanganui. His wife's name is Herera. That woman's mother's name is Tarare, and she belongs to Ngarauru. Her father's name was Katene, of Pipiriki, who was killed at Moutoa. Hiroki's father's name was Hohepa, belonging to Ngarauru, who was taken captive by Waikato. Hiroki's mother's name is Amiria, belonging to AVaikato, who was bought by Hohepa for a gun in Waikato. She was a slave. He brought her to AVaitotara, and Hiroki was born there. His age is about twenty-three years. It is not known whether he has fled to AVaikato or to Parihaka, or whether he is hiding iu the scrub in