EXAMINATION OF WITNESSES RESPECTING the WAIROO MASSACRE.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume II, Issue 74, 5 August 1843, Page 295

EXAMINATION OF WITNESSES RESPECTING the WAIROO MASSACRE.

Police Office, Nelson, June 12, 1843. [Before H. A. Thompson, Esq., P.M., and Captain A. Wakefield, Captain England, and A. M'Donald, Esq., justices of the peace.] The information and complaint on which were granted the warrants for the apprehension of Rauparaha and Ranghiaita.

J. S. Cottbrell : I am a surveyor, and have been employed by the New Zealand Company to survey a part of the Wairoo plain. I had a hut, built of toi-toi and wood, and a tent, on the plain, where I was living with the men employed by me. On the Ist of the present month I was on the hills adjoining the plain, when I observed eight canoes and a whale boat coming from the direction of Cloudy Bay. They afterwards landed at the mouth of the Wairoo, and on the same evening they came up the river to my station, where they arrived after dark, to the number of upwards of a hundred. On the following day, Rauparaha and Ranghiaita came to my hut with about thirty other natives, when Ranghiaita told myself and the others present that we must leave the place. I laid I wished to remain a few days longer, upon which the natives who accompanied Rauparaha and Ranghiaita, and who, I believe, were their slaves, began to strip the house of the bedding and other articles, and then they set fire to the hut. As my back was turned, I did not see which individual actually applied the fire to the hut. I saw Rauparaha and Ranghiaita standing close to the hut, and the other natives were acting under their orders. They then made a bonfire of some timber intended for surveyors' stakes. They then told my men to take their things out of the tent, which they did. The natives then took the sail with which the tent was partly made, and set fire to the toi-toi and wood of which the frame work was made. They then told us to go to the pah at the mouth of the river, and assisted my men in carrying the things to the boats. On our arrival ft the pah, Rauparaha and Ranghiaita directed that one of the boats containing the goods should be token to White's Boy; but I begged it might be sent to Ocean Bay, to which place it was sent. On the following day (June 3) I left the Wairoo for this place, in order to lay my complaint before thjatbench. I arrived here yesterday (June 11). Previously to my leaving the Wairoo, Rauparaha and Ranghiaita, with other natives, had left the saying they were going up the country to Mr. Parkinson's and Mr. Barnicoat's surveying stations. John Burton : I have been employed by Mr. Cotterell as a surveyor at the Wairoo. I have heard the evidence given by Mr. Cotterell, and it is hr*e»ery respect perfectly correct. I have nothing to add to it, except that I saw Ranghiaita place the stakes, which had beetf cut for the purpose of staking the ground surveyed, on a fire which we had been using to cook by. Monday, June 26. [Before A. M'Donald, Esq., J. P.] Seth Howland : On Tuesday last (June 20), I was in the schooner Three Brothers, lying off the island of Mana. About four in the afternoon I saw two canoes coming round the south end of Mana. They passed the Three Brothers. Ranghiaita was in one of the canoes, and when within hail said to me that the white men at the Wairoo had gone mad. I then said " What of that ?" He replied " I have killed them all." I said "You ore a fool. Is that all you hove got to tell me ?" He replied " Come on shore, and I will tell you the rest." I then went on shore, and he repeated the same story, and the natives who were with him said that he (Ranghiaita) had killed Captain Wakefield. They also said that Captain Wakefield had shot Ranghiaita's woman, and that was the reason why he killed Captain Wakefield. I then asked the occasion of the disturbance, and they replied, because Captain Wakefield had ordered his men to shoot the Maories. Ranghjpita then told me that Captain Wakefield first ordered his men to fire, and that the natives said " Don't fire, or we shall fight you ourselves ;" that Captain Wakefield told his men to fire again, and* feat a chief named Puaha then said that if they fired again they should go to work and kill all they could ; that they did fire again, and then the Maories commenced fighting and killing all they could. I then asked their reason for killing Captain Wakefield, and they told me it was because he shot R&ngtiiaita's woman. I asked why he did so, and where she was shot, to which they replied that she was shot whilst sitting by the side of Ranghiaita. I asked Ranghiaita where he and his party were going, and he told me that they were going across to the opposite shore, from thence to Wanganui, and then into the bush, to live quietly and to die there ; they wanted no more fighting. On Thursday last (June 22), in passing through Queen Charlotte Sound, I saw the Company's boat, with three or four natives in her, in company with nine or ten canoes. They were then bound across to Kapiti. I inquired of Ranghiaita and several others how many white people were killed, and they said about five and ILL./They also said they had buried their own dead but had left the bodies of the white people on the shore. John Lloyd : I was on the island of Mana on Tuesday lost (June 20), when Ranghiaita arrived in a canoe with several of his tribe. He hod been wounded in the foot with the stump of a stick. I saw a pair of white gloves on the hands of a Maori. We brought a native across the Straits, and found a brass-mounted pistol amongst his things, which we took. Wedne sday, June 28. [Before A. M'Donald, G. Duppa, and D. Monko, Esqrs.] George Tod : I am one of the crew of the schooner Three Brothers, belonging to George Toms. I joined her at Porirua, to go a whaling ; and in the latter end of May we took in Rauparaha and his party at Poriraa. We then went across to Mono to take in Ranghiaita and his party, consisting of about ten natives. From thence we went to the Wairoo, and in so doing had to go through the Sound, wher£|fre took up Mr. Howland. I believe it was generally understood on board that the natives were going to the Wairoo to fight for their land. Howland landed the natives in his boats in Ocean Bay. The vessel then went on to Wellington; and afterwards returned to Tarwaite by way of Cloudy Bay. I did not go on to Wellington, but returned to Tarwaite in Rowland's

boat, at wnich place I joined the vessel on her return, and went on to Mana. After lying there some days, Ranghiaita and about thirty other natives arrived in their canoes from the Wairoo. I heard Ranghiaita say that they had been killing the white men at the Wairoo, but I did not go ashore. On the following morning one of Ranghiaita's canoes come alongside and took away two muskets and a small keg of powder. The vessel afterwards returned to Tarwaite, having a native on board who had been wounded in the neck. I do not know his name. He was brought on board by Toms, and we left him in the Sound, where I heard that Ranghiaita had obtained five muskets from Mrs. Toms on his passing through the Sound from the Wairoo.

Seth Howland : I am the master whaler of the schooner Three Brothers, of which George Toms is the commander and owner. The vessel took Rauparaha, Ranghiaita, and five and twenty other natives to the Wairoo. She left Mana for the Wairoo about the 28th of May. I joined the schooner at Tarwaite, and went on in her with two of my boats to Ocean Bay, where I landed the natives. Ido not know whether they paid for their passage or not. I knew they were going to the Wairoo to protect the country against the white people — I mean, to put a stop to the white people taking or keeping possession of the land. ' Three or four days previous to the schooner crossing the Straits I saw two canoes and a. boat going towards the Wairoo. Saw no arms, but understood from the natives that they had arms. After the schooner arrived in Cloudy Bay I went on board, and remained four or five days, until she left to go Wellington for supplies. I mean provisions. Captain Toms never, to my knowledge,, gave or sold any gunpowder to the natives. Three of four pounds of powder was given by Captain Tom* to the natives at Mana, on their return from the Wairoo, he at that time being aware of the affray at the Wairoo, and that the party had been concerned in it. The schooner on leaving Wellington went across to Cloudy Bay and to the south entrance of the Sound, and from thence across to Mana. I was present when Toms gave the powder to the natives, and heard him say that it was in payment for some pigs. It is my belief that Toms must have received some consideration for taking the natives down, but I have no knowledge of the fact. I believe that Toms claims some interest in land at Cloudy Bay, in right of his late wife, a native. I had previously heard the natives say that the white people should have none of the land at the Wairoo without fighting for it — that was about the time of the surveyors first going down there. I heard Toms say that he intended to give the natives three muskets in payment for two large pigs. We took to larwaite in the schooner a native who had been at the Wairoo and was wounded in the neck, and who told me that he was one of the party that had murdered the white people. Captain Toms was on board and was aware of the native being there. John Lloyd : I belong to the crew of the Three Brothers. When I joined that vessel Rauparaha, Ranghiaita, and forty or fifty natives (including women and children), were on board. I saw several muskets there, and recollect Toms giving the chiefs two muskets in exchange for a slave. We left Mana for the Wairoo by way of the Sound and Tarwaite, where we took in Howland and his two boats, and then proceeded to Cloudy Bay. Howland landed the natives in his boats in Ocean Bay. I did not know the purpose of the natives in going to the Wairoo, but supposed they were going there to settle. I went from Cloudy Bay back to the Sound and Tarwaite in a boat, the vessel having gone on to Wellington. She afterwards returned by Cloudy Bay to Tarwaite, where I joined her and proceeded to Mana. After being at the latter place some days, the canoes containing Ranghiaita and his party arrived. I afterwards heard Toms say that Ranghiaita and his party had killed thirty-five white people, including Captain Wakefield and Mr. Thompson. Some of the Maories told me that Rauparaha had gone, to Kapiti. Shortly after Ranghiaita arrived, Toms gave him two muskets and a small keg of powder for two pigs, and on the following morning a small canoe came and fetched them away. On leaving Mana for Tarwaite we took on board a Maori lad, who was wounded in the neck. He said he had come from the Wairoo. He appeared to be about 20 years of age — in fact, one of the boys who row ,in the boats. Toms was on board at the time of the Maori boy being with us— they came on board together.

Alexander M'Clune : I was mate of the Three Brothers when the natives came on board. We took Rauparaha on board at Toms Place, Porirua, and afterwards Ranghiaita and his party at Mana. I think there were about thirty-two natives, including women and children. From a conversation which took place between Toms and the two chiefi, I understood that we took on board several muskets and tomahawks. I saw no gunpowder, but each of the natives had a cartouche box, which I believed contained cartridges. I saw several muskets loaded by the natives, and they were discharged at the north entrance of the Sound. We left Mana on or about the 28tlf of May and arrived at Tarwaite on the following day, where Howland joined us with two whale boats, and we then went on to Ocean Bay. Daring (he pawage frorc Mana across the Straits, Toms gave two muskets to Ranghiaita and Ranparaha in exchange for a slave belonging to them. After landing the datives we' returned to Tarwaite, and from thence to-* Wellington. From Wellington we proceeded to Cloudy Bay and the Sound, and thence on to Mana. I was present when Ranghiaita'* canoe arrived at Mana from the Wairoo. A Maori lad informed me that Ranghiaita had murdered Captain Wakefield. Ranghiaita wa» then sitting in conversation with Toms ; he appeared to be wounded in the foot. In the course of the day I heard Toms ■ay that it was a bad job the Maoriea had commenced. In the presence of Toms, the natives informed me, by means of their fingers and toes, that five and twenty had been killed. I learnt from the native boy that Mr. Ironside and Mr. Wyning were gone down to bury the bodies. I did not see an/ white men's bodies in any of the canoes. The morning this conversation took place, a small canoe of Ranghiaita' s came alongside and took away a small keg of powder and two muskets in exchange for two pigs. On the day of his return to Mono, Ranghiaita gave orders for the removal of all his effects, and declared his intention

of going to the northward. I do not know whether or not Toms received payment for taking the party to the Wairoo, but I suppose it was in consideration of the land at Porirua. I heard that, besides Captain Wakefield, Mr. Thompson, and Brooks were killed. I heard the natives say they did not intend to fight any more, apd that the white people might now take the Wairoo. Riwai Watbne : ' I was at Tarwaite, and was told by Werekina that some white people had been killed at the Wairoo, but that he had not been there himself. He said that some Maories hod also been killed, but that the white people began the fight. I asked at what place they were killed, and he said at the Wairoo, behind the mountain. He (Werekina), then gave me the following statement—that the natives were across the river— that Captain Wakefield called out " Give me a canoe," and it was given to him by David (Piccaworro)— that David said "You rangiteros (gentlemen) come, and you only " — that when they (the gentlemen) had crossed, they laid "Where is Rauparaha?" — that Rauparaha stood up and said " Here ami" —that Captain Wakefield then sold "Go to the ship "—"" — " To do what at the ship?" said Rauparaha — that Captain Wakefield called on Ranghiaita, who stood up and said " Here am I " — that Captain Wakefield said to him also " Go to the ship " —that Ranghiaita replied "What to do at the ship? I shall not go to the ship ; enough of me on shore" — that Captain Wakefield was angry with them, and ordered the white people to fire — that David got up and said " No, not fight "—that Captain Wakefield said " Yes, do fight "—that the white people then fired and shot a Maorie— that another white man shot with a two-barreled gun and another Maorie fell — that David got up and said " Enough," but then a white man was shot — that about ten of Rauparaha's men then took up their guns, and several of the white people were shot; there was then another firing, and several more white people were killed — that the Maories then left their guns and took to their tomahawks — that they then bound Captain Wakefield and carried him along, when he attempted to get hold of his pistols, but they prevented him — that they then seized Mr. Cotterell in the same manner — that they carried him (Captain Wakefield) and his people to the village of Rauparaha, where they found that Ronghiaita's wife had been killed — that they then killed the prisoners, who were bound at the time, but that David had let Mr. Tuckett go— that thirty-five white people were killed in all. Thursday, June 29. [Before A. M'Donald and D. MonAo, Esqrs.] Frederick Tuckbtt : I left Nelson in the New Zealand Company's boat on the 27th of May for the Wairoo, for the purpose of examining ttie state of the surveys at that time in progress there. On the following Friday night (June 2) I reached Tory Channel, where I learnt that Rauparaha and Ranghiaita had come over from Porirua in a Captain Toms' schooner, and that several canoes full of natives hod also gone on to the Wairoo. I was 1 also informed by some natives that an altercation had already token place between the Maories and our people, and they asked if I knew how many were killed on either side. On hearing this, I determined to proceed direct to the^Wairoo, which I reached on the following day. On landing at the mouth of that river, I found Mr. Cotterell and his men there, who informed me that on the preceding 1 day the native chiefs, Rauparaha and Ranghiaita, had been at his station on the river Opama, and compelled him to desist from surveying ; that thej had burnt his house and tent, excepting the canvas covering, and ordered him to remove ; thai they forcibly took his effects and removed them tc the mouth of the river ; and that the native chiefi had informed him that they would compel all thi other surveyors to bring their effects down like wise, and had gone up to Mr. Barnicoat's for that purpose. I then sent Mr. Cotterell to Nelson with a note for Captain Wakefield, in which I stated that I should endeavour to remain at the Wairoo until I received instructions from him." I went up the same evening to the site of Mr. Cotterell's warrie which had been burnt; On the Monday morning following (June 5), I went up the river to Mr. Parkinson's station, where a party of natives had just arrived, and hod token possession of it. They were all armed with fire arms and tomahawks. They informed me they were sent by Rauparaha to stop the survey. I sent a message to Rauparaha by them, to inform him that I had come to see the surveys, that I was going to Kai-para-te-Hau, and that I should return on Wednesday, when I would see him. On my return from that expedition, I found Rauparaha and Ranghiaita, and Mr. Parkinson and his party. They (the chiefs) told me that they would stop the surveyc. They talked about utu, and ordered us to be off; and some of the natives began to pull up the pegs of my tent, and did all they could to hurry me from the ground. Feeling convinced that they would force me to leave the place, I made up my mind to do so, having accomplished the object of my journey in visiting the district of Kai-para-te-Hau. I therefore ordered my men to pack up my things ready for departure. They (the natives) told me I must remove the effects of the surveyors sad their men in my large boat, and go away at once to Ocean Bay. I replied that they might do what they pleased with the things, that I should not attempt to prevent their removal by force, but that I should not consent to it or be a party to their doing so, nor would I leave the place whilst the others remained. I then proceeded down the river to the pah at its mouth, accompanied by the chiefs Rauparaha and Ranghiaita, each with his followers in a large canoe, where I remained until Sunday, owing to the bad weather. I found Mr. Barnicoat there, who informed me that the natives had removed his effects, but that the chiefs had used their influence in restraining their people from appropriating any of his effects or committing any violence. Before we 1 descended the river, I told the chiefs that I should despatch Mr. Parkinson overland to Nelson, but they refused to allow him to depart I told them at the some time that' I had despatched Mr. CottereU to Nelson. On Sunday, June 11, I left die W&iroo for Neboni and met the Government brig on the followhuf Tuesday, having on board Mrf Thompson, Captain Wakefield, and other magistrates, bound fin the Wairoo. Captain WakeneJtt«tequested me to ma along with them, with my xtffo which I did. Qft Thursday evening, June 15, file majority of ■■«% party landed at the mouth of the Wairoo, and on

the following morning they were joined by the remainder? whjen arms were distributed amongst . them, and we all proceeded up the right bank of the nver. : We met Puaha and a party of natives who had been clearing- land on the bank of the river, but had been interrupted by Rauparaha, and had separated themselves from him. These natives appeared alarmed at the sight of the armed force; but Mr, Thompson explained to Puaha that the object of bis, .journey had. no reference to him or his party, but that he had a warrant against Rauparaha and -Ranghiaita on a charge of, arson, which he showed him. Mr. Thompspn tfren explained to Puaha that no force would be used towards these chiefs, but that they must accompany him on board the brig, >wher&, the case would be investigated, by hipjself .and the other magistrates who had accompaniedhim. Puaha peplicJ that Rauparaha and Rangl)iaita would not but believe that theyj[the magUtrates) meant Jq make ,war; upon them if they saw the armed men*. He consented to .convey a -message to /them, explaining the object of. our,visit. Further ,up , we perceived a party .of natives pn the opposite side of the river, who were jtikewiseqhietfyresjdgntnaljiws. ' They were ajso informed of tfe pb'ject of the- jnission, and that it did not'eopcern them. • We;e'ncampe4 that evening near that spot, and shortly after doing so the Company's boat arrived. These natives informed us.! that Rauparaha and Ranghiai£a,"were further" ug. the rjnrej\ On the following morning our party, then consisting of about fifty, proceeded up the river,.. They were all armed with the exception,, of four or iive gentlemen,. Proceeding a few miles up the river., we landed near a small jvood, where we observed some smok>e. On approaching this E lace' we discovered that the .natives, were there, ut that' we were separated from them by a deep and narrow stream, up which their canoes were hauled. IWe requested to be provide^ with a cajioe to pass the stream, w^ich. was furnished by a native called Piccawarro, in- which the Police Magistrate, Captain Wakefield, myself, Mr. Cotterell, Mr/ Patchett, Brooks (the interpreter), and the chief constable crossed over. At first we found only Rauparaha, to whom the warrant was shown atid its purport explained by the Police Magistrate, who requested him to go on. board the Government brig, where the charge which had been brought against him by Mr. Cofaerell would be investigated. Rauparaha said he was willing to go into the matter there, but he would not go on board the brig, and that if he was satisfied with the decision on the spot, he would pay the utu there. The Police Magistrate then informed him that he must go on board the brig, and that he might have any of his people W go along trithhim, buthe. refused to go. The Police Magistrate, then demanded whether he would go or nof^tawhich he replied that he would not. . The Pohce-^jtagistrate then said " You will not ? There ar^ our, apined men, tney, shall fire on you a|t .'>' .0^ thjsf.sixteen natives .sprung to. their feet and'jjfejwnted fire arms. ; A native of the Bay of ; Is!la!ss. iI w I h^was present, interpreted tp them, and to? 4¥ l€ 5 a V<** e *y w ord that was ..said. Rauparaha \yas-agaii. called .qn tp, surrender, acqojapanied with- the same threat.. Ranghiaita then stepped, forward; and defied the power of the magls, (rates,; he was very.' vehement, and said that tftey-(tie .nativesX.^not go to England to.inter%re.mfp. the wi^ite people, and more to the. same e^ct r ajjd w ; ljy r sjbbuld, they interfere with him? thenpftme for War/3, with a biblein his hand, and grayed tfyem tp xefirain from strife. The dialogue, betWeen Rauparaha, Ranghiaita, and. the foUcji Magistrate, then became so hurried and vehement that it. was impossible to follow what was said. ,' Feeling '.cpnvineed. that a conflict would speedily ensue, I thien recommended to Captain Wakefield that we should return to the other side of the stream^ where our force was. We accordingly, having obtained the consent of the natives, laid one of ttiejr, canoes across the stream, and were in the apt of passing over, when Captain, Wakefield (piobably observing a movement on the part of tfye/armed natives to interrupt Mr. Thompson) sprung up, and called out in a loud tone, "Men," forward! Englishmen, forward!" Four or five men, then advanced upon the canoe, and at that moment I heard the discharge of a musket, but from wha,t party I cannot say, and instantly a volley was fired by the natives,.which was answered from our side. I then got to the opposite side and remained in the bush for some time, whilst. a brisk fire was kept up on both sides. Some one then called out to me th^ our party were retreating up the hill, in which direction I followed, and observed Captains Wakefield and. England and Mr.. Howard endeavouring to. form the men on the firss eminence, but they continued to press on. Captain Wakefield, finding that several had already fallen, called out to the men to lay down theig arms, Jo order to avoid the loss, of life inevitable, p^theuf dispersion. The gentle? men of the party, and ttie.myqn who w.ere.n§arest them laid down, 'their aj-ms. in; token of surrender, and Mr'J Howard, and Captain England advanced, toward? the' natives holdipgjqut ,a wbite,handk_er 7 , ehjef to. indicate ,<nu;4^sire oifj-jjeace^but.thpseiQf! oWjWjty.'who'^eW.&e 44vanoerpi*sl|iii>g: up t^e hilircontinued to y ftra pji.^e natives, »hpi fited .at-thpiß) and, also^tu^ qn whJLchuyeistoted) to.,our, < feet and f^ovfedo^ stopjtheir ,firii|g. Most q£ pur f pai^y fef» ■&&£ WJh th^ JuU. .^ b^qen^edjtUeb^l/fqUpWjed^by^Ooftf our.p^ty. - IsawA^r.CcsttereU > surreoder i ,i:Jmd on, the'ne'it emineiic^j^the'r^st-of the ,par^r-awaitsd t the c'pming',up,Qf thp^nif^iyev Saving, from my pMty^X n^aae^rtiebestof^my.ffay.tpiwaficlsj the sea, shore, ,. 'oj&,the~way I overtook seveQ.ofjOur.' men.' fquad, a, w^ale,,bpaji. in wbich.we reaqhefl 'ti»e Qov^rnment^ig. Two, boats, were sent from, Iyer to, range aloag.sh.ope, iU: orde^to pick up any of pup party wto -might ; hft«4. gained the beach, but nope were founds. AAee dusk we sailed for Wellington, to, propure sox&&H assistance far the wounded, and t aid,of:the.aothQ?''j ities Qiere'to rescue our cpmpapioas.. "Wi#, rft»QhedWelliastgi^ the next ijmprning n when I.«A*« ajl Ute infpriaatibn respecting tbu* afair» . AfJ^r s*vei»l days' delay frpm adver«e,<win4f« th«>bf jg.rejtiorn«d: to Cloudy Bay wjUh. the magistrate. Mr. Snwtt! (the land commiisione,r), and proiepton of aborigines. Wje were unable to land pntil ifee. seoon4 day (Saturday), We wereiaforß^ed of the dreadful XDLUZders committed oa, the whple of oar party wbQ had tarrendared to- the natives. We found.tktt Mr. Ironside had »i*»dy repaired to the spoil, and way occupied ixL t*mmiag for and imt«rringfche remaiiw of the dta&s joined him <m S»turday>

T"""" — ' ~- » ' «" • — '.- U'.'l '■' n 'V-TT The bodies of two' men, Cleanthy and, Radcliffc were found after we arrived/ MM Ironside had previously interred seventeen bodies. , It was impossible to remove them without delaying the departure of the brig. Their interment on the spot, under all the circumstances of the case, had the approval of the nearest relative of any of the deceased, and I believe we were nearly unanimous in regarding the field of blood as the fit place for sepulture. ( ' [Before A. M'Donald, and G. Dvp?a, "Esqrs.] Richard Phanter : I was one of ; the. party who went down to the Wairoo in the Government brig, for the purpose of apprehending Rauparaha arid Ranghiaita. I landed on the inor'ning. of ,the 16th, and we proceeded up the river to the large wood' the same day, where we remained that night. In our way up, we saw three or four canoes and a whale boat lying at anchor between the shore and the large wood, the natives having larded-; and We met a party of natives under a chief called Pu'aaa coming down. ' Mi. Thompson informed them of our intentions', and sent them 'forward to acquaint Rauparaha, and RangMiita that he had come to arrest them in the Queen's name for burning ■ Mr. Cotterell's hut. At the' place where we stopped for the night, we s met with three other canoes at anchor, and the natives to whom they belonged'afterwards joined us and remained with us until' dusk, when they went up the river to join the remainder of- their party. A watch-was then set-, 'to ascertain whether they came down the river again. ' On the following morning we proceeded'up the river in the boats as- far as we could get .them; and then landed. We then proceeded across the fern and. flax towards the place where we'heard- the, Maories. '' Ott arriving in sight of them we discovered that we "were separated from them by- a narrow stream. . Some' of our party then crossed' tbfe brook by means of a canoe. Those who crossed over were'the Police Magistrate, Captain Wakefield, Brooks, the interpreter, and several other gentlemen, but the armfed force remained on this side. I heard Mr. Thompson say that he had nothing to do with the land ; that he had come to arrest them in the Queen's name for burning the hut. Mr. Thompson then called out to Mr. Howard to bring down part of the men, as there were more natives there than he expected; Mr. Howard took^oown half of the men, and they were afterwards jfoined by the remainder. The men were passing oyer fh^brook by^means of a canoe as a bridge : "part of them/wpfe over and a part in the canoe,' when a gun w<aVclischarged by, I believe, one of our party, bu^x/believe it to have beenbjr accident. On the/discHar^e of this gun the Maories poured a volley amongst us, which was immediately returned. Seeing many of our party standing together close by the canoe, I told them to go farther to the left, where they would be able ,to see the natives better, which' they they did. Those on the opposite side then crossed over to us, a constant fire being kept up on both : sides. Mr. Patchett, immediately after crossing, was shot in his left side, within three, yards of where, I was standing. There was then a general retreat towards, the hill. Mr. Howard called out to the men to keep together. We still kept advancing up the Jiill till we arrived at the second brow. I saw Mr. Cottersll sitting down. He said to me ' " Dick, this is poor work." I said " Come up the, hill:" I saw Mr.- Thompson, Captain Wakefieldv and the other gentlemen on the second brow. Captain Wakefield then ordered all -the men to throw down their arms, which some of them did, but some others continued firing. Captain Wakefield then told Brooks to tell the Maories to cease firing. The whole party, with the 'exception of some that accompanied me, then retreated down a valley towards the right, t6 give themselves up. I saw Mr. Cotterell deliver himself up the first. When I was on the hill I saw Me. Tuckett retreating across the plain, with five or six others. I and my party then advanced toI wards, them, and joined them on the beach, where we got into a whale boat and escaped to the Government brig. On the same evening the brig sent two boats on shore to look out for any of our party who might have escaped, but none were found.' Friday, June 30. [Before A. M'Donald, Esq.] Fetcr Crew : I sailed from Nelson about the 13th of May last, to join Mr. Parkinson's survey at the Wairoo. Five or six days- after we started we arrived at Jackson's Place, in Queen Charlotte Sound, at about one o'clock in the -morning. At about eight o'clock on the same morning, a person named George Toms came over to Jackson's Place, where the informed me that he had been over to Porirua in the schooner Three Brothers, to fetch : the Maoriea, about seventy in all,, including Raujpaxaba and Ranghiaita. He saiddhe was going to take them down to the Wairoo, and- had killed a bultaok: for. them, and had. also, furnished them Iwjtb somft. tomahawks. A native caUed.Jacky said towb:Cfoj»s) had given them. ten*. The. schooner [fbiee. Brothers was .lying. in the. Sound ab the time wftarjived tbiere:jaod>did noMeava ttaatal thejndrn* ig&aftar,:. c natives, never landed, that I saw. L-JueAnfc Tofts say that his landiwas.alLright— that hfi *hQu}d,get; it.»QW» . Qai the- foKowing morning. !TjQaft.s&i\ed«for! TjQaft.s&i\ed«for thtt Waixow. . Oo.the.day after we siirtedfQji.Cloudy, JBay, where we.am«d th&same evening. I saw, the schooner- lying there* withr the. > n»tre3s Qtt. board* -hut < do not-know where they vwrje'J&nde.oV.J- rftjQained. about. eight days in jGjpudy-Bpr., and then* .-neati up *» Mr - Parkinson's 'survey; ■totiojo., •,••".<-. . . J0- 1„' v ■•'• , - I ~ ■VU'til' i.i '. ' • ■ '- .: .:>, : July i. | - {Before A. M'Donald- and G. DtrpfrA, EsqrsT] ' - 'TaekAs Tlannam : I am oner qf~ the' /persona .who' returned with Mr- Tuckett and* Mr. Patchett to the.-Wifirqp in the.' Government brig. When.' Mr. Thompson apoVthe'othe¥ gentlemen , crossed .the river; Mr. Hbwjjrd and ' Captain England re-mained-"behind tfith: tihie mcn/vilio were dM4%d into two; parties; I rreard Mrl a sHioApson,thWragh Brooks, the interpreter, tellßai|paraha and. Ranghiaita that he had come in tbe Queen's name tp apprehend them for having- burnt Mr. Cotterell's hut. Itheautiderstood-tliafcthey both refused*to isubmih' Mr. Thompson' then .called out to Mr. Howar*ttat they fthe gentlemen) were in a dangerous position, and'told hinv to bring down a part of his men. Mr. Howard'replied thatiie did not care if there .were five thousand natives. He then

advanced frith seventeen men towards the canoe. As they were crossing the canoe, and whilst some of ttienvwef c still o^4hu4ide, a musket went off, I believe Accidentally ywithin three yards of me. The native* immediately fired upon us, I believe to the number of sixty or seventy. We returned the fire, but I heard no orders given. After I had fired three shots, ITieard some one cry out " Run for lives, lads, run!" I thought it was Captain England, but lam not certain. There was then a general rush towards the hill. I then observed two natives advancing, between me and the white men, so I turned to the right along the bottom of the hill, and lay downin the fern, where I remained until the natives had all gone. When our party were running up the hill, I observed that the gentlemen (none of whom were armed excepting Mr. Howard, who carried a' cutlass) were the last to retreat — the armed men were all running before them. After the natives had left, I endeavoured to make my way to, Nelson'by land, but was on the plain geven.days, until I was joined by Peanter, who had been sent over land.

Henry Wkay : I was in the Company's. boat on the 13th of June. When ' off Croixelles Harbour, we discovered the Government brig, .and, on her firing a signal; we went on board, and returned in her to the Wairoo, On landing we proceeded up the river to the large wood, where we encamped for the night The next morning we proceeded up the river in the boats as far as we could get them, and then landed and marched some distance to where we discovered the natives, who were on the other side of a small brook, . in a wood. Mr. Thompson%told the natives, through the interpreter Brooks, that he. had come to arrest Rauparaha and Ranghiaita for burning Mr. CotterelTs hut, and had not come about the land, The natives then called out " Ka-hauri." Mr. Thompson then desired Mr. Howard to bring down the men, which he did, , aiid they aU entered , the canoe with the exception/ofVmyself. Twas just entering the canoe when M/. T/hompson gaveynders to fire. Two or three o£4h*-white people Weibgahot and wounded, theref^wasA general retreat towards the hill. After we had got some distance up the hill, Maling, trie, chief constable, was shot close by my side. Mr. Thompson called out to the men, desiring them for God's sake to keep together, but they still kept retreating. Mr. Thompson then pulled a white handkerchief out of his pocket, and Brooks, the interpreter, called out " Kati." I was told 4^at Mr. Thompson was wounded, He and Captain Wakefield then called out to the men to desist firing. Mr. Thompson, Captain Wakefield, anS all the other gentlemen then lay .down. Mr. Thompson asked some of the men to give him a gun with a bayonet, for the purpose of facing the Maories, but nobody would give him one. Mr. Tuckett then went down towards the right — I followed him for a short distance, and then hidnayself in some high fern for about two hours, but heard nothing, and being some distance could see nothing that was going forward; but I heard shots fired about every five minutes for -an, hour and a half. I then looked out of the fern- and saw the canoes going away down the river. I then got up, and was immediately joined by two other men, with whom I went down to the beach the same evening towards the native pah, where we saw the whole of the natives leave in nine canoes and the Company's boat. Saturday, July 3. [Before A. M'Donald, Esq.] John Miller: I was one of Mr* Cotterell's men, on his return, in the Government brig to the Wairoo with the Police Magistrate, Captain Wakefield, and other gentlemen, to apprehend Rauparaha and Ranghiaita. On the morning of Saturday, June 17, the whole party went up the river from the plaoe where we had encamped during the previous night. After having gone some distance up the river, we landed and walked on until we came to where the natives were. On arriving there, Mr. Thompson, Captain Wakefield, and all the gentlemen, I believe, excepting Mr. Howard, crossed over ja small stream in a canoe to the place where the natives were, but the natives would not allow ,any but the gentlemen to cross over to them. M*» Thompson then explained to Rauparaha the nature of his visit, and said he had come to arrest him for burning Mr. Cotterell's hut, and that he must go on board the Government brig. Rauparaha-said he would not. Ranghiaita then came forward, bouncing about and talking in a very violent manner, and said " What, is the Queen to us ? " I heard Mr. Howard call to Mr. Thompson, " Shall I bring down part of the men ? " There then appeared to be considerable confusioiKjjid the gentlemen endeavoured to cross to our slcGT^" Mr. Howard and his party then ran, down-to the wa.ter^s edge, and endeavoured to cross over the canoe, meeting >the gentlemen half-way, when a gun went off in^he. canoe, I believe accidentally. ' The Maorieslmmediately fired amongst us. We returned their fire. .Mr. Thompson, having reached bur side, called out to a person whom I did not see, " OK; who told you to fire ? " but ,1 heard-rio answer. * .'J.ust before this, Mr. Patchett i was shot close by my side, by a Mapri whom I sa^y standing on the other side. I saw Mr. Richardson ;stoop down to Mr. Patched who said to him "I am mortally "wounded,. You can .do no good for me— make yotii escape." Most of us then rag up the hill. \ Mr. Howard then, called out to the men to fix their bayonets and come to the charge. The men, however, kept retreating un the. hilL I then saw Mr. Cotte'reU give himself, up, to one of the natives, whom I recognised as one to whom Mr. .Cotterell had shown iihdness. I observed all the other gentlemen, standing together a short distance from me, and Brooks, the interpreter, holding a white handkerchief up and shouting " Kati." I then ran down .the hill, aid hid myself amongst tiie fern, where I remained about three hours. I was one of the party who went along with. Mr. Ironside to bury the bodies! We discovered the bodies of Ml-; ,Thomp3bn,.Captain Captain England, Mr. Richardson, Mr. Howard, Mr. Cotterell, .Coster' and Gardener (the constables), Macgregor, Brooks (the interpreter), and Pay. From the appearance dL the bodies, I have every reason to believe, tbatrae whole of those persons were tomahawked after they had surrendered. I did not perceive any gun-shot wounds on any of the bodies, except Gardener's. None of the bodits were stripped, buj Captain Wakefield's coat, waistcqat, and >atcV were missing. The bodies were found apparently in the position in which they

fell. We found the bodies of Mr. Patchett, and Tyrrell, Northam, and Smith in another part of the ground ; these were the persons who had* been shot in the early part of the engagement. -Whilst lying in the fern I heard many shots fired at intervals of about five minutes. I heard the natives during the whole of this time shouting and hallooing, but did not discern the voices of any of our party. [Before George Dufpa, Esq.} John Kidson: I was at the Wairoo on the morning of the massacre. "When Mr. Thompson and the gentlemen crossed the creek on the canoe, I heard the Maories talking about the warrant for taking Rauparaha and Ranghiaita, and saying that they should not be taken'Dy the white men ; that they did/ not wish to fight, but were not afraid; they weW>repared/«o fight. I heard a shot fired, but dojooit know^fcom which side. It was instantaneously followed by a volley from the Maories, and I saw a man named Tyrrell fall. After a number of shots ,had been fired on both sides, the white men retreated out of the biub.up.the hill, when Mr. Thompson and Brooks held out a white handkerchief, and cried " Peace!" but the Maories continued firing at us. The white men had then laid down their arms, but afterwards took them up again., Mr. Cotterell then threw himself into, the arms of a native for protection, but was immediately seized by two others and dragged by the hair of his head down the hill into a manuka bush. I then.advised Captain Wakefield to allow us all to make our escape, as I thought it would end in a massacre. I believe 'that at, the time the firing began no command had been given to fire. I Heard Mr. Thompson say during the firing, " If it had' riot been for Peanter's firing at the Maories first this would not have happened." I then heard Peanter say " I beg your pardon, it was not me *fio fired the first shot." When I ran up the hill to make my escape, I saw the gentlemen surrounded by Maories, some of whom pursued me up the hill until I hid myself in the bush. I neither saw nor heard any more firing at that time. ■ Friday," July 14. [Before A. M'Donald and Gborge White, Esqrs,] George Bampton : I am one of the party who returned with Mr. Tuckett and joined the Government brig at Croixelles Harbour. I was one of the party who left the New Zealand Company's boat near Cloudy Bay, and did not join the party at the Wairoo until Friday evening, June 16, On the following morning I went with the rest of the party up the river Wairoo, until we found Rauparaha and Ranghiaita, across a small but deep stream. The Police Magistrate, Captain Wakefield, and several other gentlemen crossed over to them, and we remained on this tide, drawn up in > a line, and all armed. I heard Mr. Thompson say that he had brought the book of the Queen, and that he had not come about or had anything to do with the land. I als6 heard some of the Maories sajf something about fighting, ■ but heard others sKy ' ".No good the fight." I heard Mr..!£bdmpson caH QUt to Mr. Howard that there were *too many natives for them. Mr. Howard replied, " I don't ceae how many, if there are ten thousand." Mr} Thompson then called to Mr. Howard to bring.the' men ; and Mr. Howard ordered them to fix bay/ oaets and to go down. One half of the, men then went down to the side of the stream, and were immediately joined by the' remainder. . Mr. Thomp-\ don ordered the men togb over the stream. Part • of themwere in the act of^jraasing over the canoe r when a gun-Trent off. I believe it to have been, accidental^/ The man whose gun went off was dose by my side at the time, and some yards from the stream. /Immediately on the gun going off the natives fired a volley amongst us, which we immediately returned. The jvhole of the party then began to retreat up the hill, firing as they went, but several of the men ran away very soon after the' firing commenced. I heard Captain England and Mr. Howard calling out to the men to get up the hill and to keep together. We then attempted to make a stand on the first brow, but most of the men stillkept retreating. On the second brow, I was standing with Mr. Thompson, Captain Wakefieid, Mr. Richardson, Mr. Howard, Captain England, and a constable, - but there were several of the men within a few yards. I was just going to fire, when Captain England told me to throw down my arms, which" I did. Brooks, the interpreter, and Captain Wakefield held up white handkerchiefs, and called out " Kati ! " The natives t»en ceased, firing at us, but still fired at those who*vere belowand running away. Captain Wakefießl then told' the men to give up their arms, and I gave up my musket to one of the natives. I also saw Captain; Wakefield give up a pistol to one of the nstifreiJ I then went up the hill a short distance in company with all the gentlemen. Most of, the na#tes, then came' up, and were immediately joined, .by' Rauparaha ; and then Ranghiaita came up. an 4 joined them, and they sat down, in a circle! I saw, \ two natives in the act of taking Captain Wake- ' field* and Mr. Thompson's co&ts, and lalsp s&w ■ some- of the natives in the act pr taking Mr; / Thompson's watch. I then slipped,' away under; ' the pretence of •making water, and' got iriio ttie fern andihid myself. 'Almost- immediately after getting into the fern I- heard some persons -passing near me, and heard one of- them (I believe l Mr. Howard) say ;" For God!s sake, if we are 1 to die let us die together." I cannot say; who it was in company with , the person whom I believe to have been Mr. Howard. I had not lain in the fern ten. minutes when I heard about five gups fired. Im»mediately after the firing 1 heard a sound, asit. appeared to me, of a beating or chopping, which I supposed at the time to be the natives, tomahawking the white people ;' but I heard" no cries nor screamings. I was abdut twenty yards, off, J' " believe, from the spot where their bodies were found.