ENCLOSURE TO MESSAGE No. 54.

Land Purchase Office, Taranaki, August Bth, 1854. Sir, — It is my painful duty to report to you the occurrence of a fatal affray amongst the Natives of the Puketapu tribe, which took place on the 3rd instant, resulting in the death of Rawiri Waiana and four other chiefs, with other casualties, as per enclosed list. 2. The circumstances which led to this melancholy event are as follows : — In consequence of the destruction by Topia, one of Katatore's people of a field of wheat which had recently been sown by Rawiri on his own land, which he had cultivated for several years, the latter determined to offer for sale the block of land contained between the eastern boundary of the block conveyed by the Wellington deed of January last, and the Hua boundary as paid for here in ilarch, and which was excepted from the Hua purchase in consequence of Katatore's opposition, and by the advice of Rawiri himself. In making the offer, Rawiri was supported by his brother Paora, by Ihaka Kauri, Matui te Huia, Paora Houpunga, Taituha senior, Taituha Ngata, Tamati Waka te Haeana, and several other chiefs I accepted their offer, conditionally on the boundary line being cut, which Rawiri unhesitatingly undertook to do, relying upon his rank and relationship with the opposing party as sufficient guarantee against extreme measures on their part. After two days' consultation, it was determined that the survey should commence on Thursday, the 3rd instant, when I was to meet them on the ground, accompanied by a surveyor. •3. From information subsequently received, it appears that Rawiri's party, numbering twenty-six men, went out unarmed on the morning in question at 7 a m.; and on reaching a spot called Tarurutangi, found Katatore's party, to the number of twenty-eight armed men, awaiting their arrival, when the collision took place which led to such unhappy results. The enclosed documents supply all the details.* 4. Arrangements were made as quickly as possible to render such assistance to the wounded as circumstances would admit of Five men were conveyed to the hospital Paora's case being quite hopeless, nothing could be done for him, as he could not bear removal. Rawiri, unfortunately, could not be removed that day, the natives being ic too great a state of excitement to be of any service, and the majority of the settlers of the Bell block being afraid to render any assistance, in hi 3 last extremity, even to him to whom they owe their possessions, lest, by doing so, they should incur the displeasure of the opposite party. All,

r ■, Enclosure No. 1 — List A.

Enclosure No. I—■ List A. Enclosure 2— Sketch. Enclosure No. 1 — List B.

* Enclosure No. 3—Statement made by wounded men. Enclosure No. 4—Letter of Katatore to Resident Magistrate. Enclosure No. s—Resident 'vlagistrate's Reply, Enclosure No. 6—Letter of Katatore to the Offieer administering the Government.