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Hawke's Bay Times, Volume III, Issue 151, 4 December 1863, Page 6 (Supplement)

The Maoei Prisoners. —Amongst the Maories taken at Rangiriri are several very powerful chiefs of Waikato, of which the following are the principal : —Takerei Te Ran Angaanga, of the Ngatimahuta tribe, Tiorion Te Hura, a near relation of W. Tamihana (W. Thompson), this man has received two wounds ; Torahawaiki, a late member of the King’s council; Wiremu Kumcte, of Kawhia; Kihirini Te Kanawa, of the NgatimaLuta tribe. The first named, Takerei Te Ran, is a man of great influence and power, so that it was proposed at one time that he should bo the successor to the last Maori King. He is described as of noble appearance, and a fine specimen of a New Zealand chief. The next man, Te Hura, is a near relative of Thompson, and it is said that the latter sent his mere a green stone, in the form of a baton to redeem him, the value of the mere being some £2OO or £3OO. That it meant proposals of peace is not believed by those who know Maori customs. Wiremu Kumete, of Kawhia, is the man who made himself so conspicious in searching canoes for spirits, and performing the part of an exciseman. Ho was of no great rank, bat has raised himself by being a devoted partizan of the Maori King. Tarahawaiki, is said to be the murderer of the Merediths. Fifty of these prisoners are expected in to-day from the front. In the account of the fight of Rangiriri published for the benefit of the Maoris, the prisoners, it is said, “ will be kept on board a British man-of-war until the Governor’s thoughts are known.”