CAPTURE OF RAUPARAHA.

New Zealander, Volume 3, Issue 133, 8 September 1847, Page 3

CAPTURE OF RAUPARAHA.

From Lieut-Governor Grey to the Right Hon. W. E. Gladstone. Her Majesty's Steamer Driver, Porirua, July 23, 1846. Sir. —l have the honor to report that the Driver being ready for sea on Monday last, l on the evening of that day proceeded up the coast with a party of seamen, under the command of Captain Slanley of her Majesty's ship Calliope, and a detachment of troops under the command of Major Last, 99th regiment, in search of a party of rebels who were coming down the coast to join Rangihaeata. On reaching Waikanae we found that this party were supposed to be about twenty miles to the north of that point. I therefore took on board the four principal chiefs of the Ngatiawa tribe, and proceeded to Otaki, and took on board the six principal chiefs at that place of the Ngaraukawa tribe We then proceeded to Ohau, where we took on board the two principal chiefs of that place. It appearing that the enemy were at a point about seven miles to the north of Ohau, a plan was arranged for an attack upon them on Wed nesday morning. Unfortunately, however, about daylight a fresh breeze set in upon the shore, which is of a most exposed nature, and the surf was so heavy that it was found impossible to land troops, I returned therefore to Otaki, where all the chiefs, excepting those of the Ngatiawa tribe were landed, and we then proceeded to Waikanae, where we put them onshore, and landed a party to make a stand at that point, if the rebels arrived before my return. The rebel party with the additions they have received in coming down the coast, are still calculated at less than 200 men. The « hole of the chiefs w,ilh whom 1 had interview* declared that these disturbances were to be entirely attributed to (he intrigues of Te Rauparaha, and some of the chiefs of the pa ol Tanpo at Poriiua. They declared thai the tapn which had lieen eitablished close lo our camp at

Porirua by Raugihaeata, and which had been carried into effect by the adherents of Te Rauparalm, and which they were continuing to carry into effect, notwithstanding their repeated promises to the contrary, wai done to convince the tiibesin the interior of the weakness of the Euiopeuns, and the extent of the influence of llangihapata, and that it was producing the gieatest effect throughout the country. Some officers of the force who Tell in with a European travelling down the coast with cattle, were informed by him that some of the rebel party Ind in an euuting manner warned him that he would not be allowed to pass at Taupo. Mdiiy circumstances combined to convince me of the effect that this fupu was producing. I also understood from the chiefs of Otaki, I c Rauparaha's principal place of residence, that that chief had al together deceived them, and that, instead of his luMnUingbispiomisesofjoining.them for the purpose of preventing parties of lebels passing down the coast to murder Eutopeau settlers, he was in fact conniving at their so doing. I determined, therefore, in pursuance of my previous intention, to return to Porirna, and to send a party on shoreat daylight this morning to seize Te Rauparaha and the principal chiefs who had been concerned in enforcing the tapu, after their repeated promises to the contrary, and thus to give the most public and convincing proof to the natives along the coast and throughout the interior, tl»at I would carry into effect my threats of punishing any chiefs who should assist in fomenting leuellioj) and disturbances in this cooniry. The attempt to seize these chiefs was peifeclly successful. Te Hauparaha, Te Kanae, (the Ariki of the Ngatitoa tribe), and Hohepa, together with two inferior chiefs, were seized, and a considerable supply of arms ami ammunition belonging to the disaffected portion of the Ngatitoa tiibe, which was found in their pa. Information was sent to Rangihaeata at an early period after this movement was made, and he at once pioceeded to the assistance of Teßaupataha $ but as he had to make a wide circuit to pass b) the rear of our force at Porirua, he arrived too late, and did not Venture down from the wooded heights which overlook Te Rauparaha's pa. 1 intend to return to Waikanae this evening in the hope of Mill falling in wiih the fiibt party of rebels to-morrow or to-morrow night j and iv the event of Rangihaeata being alarmed at the seizure of Te Rauparaha, and attempting to retieatand form a junction with the rebels coming to his assistance, we shall be between them, and have a chance of attacking them in detail. 1 think, however, from what passed between myself and the chiefs of Waikanae, Otaki, andOhau, that the part) of rebels pi oceeding from the interior will be driven back by the natives before they leach Ohau, . Since Te Rauparaha has been seized, I understand from some of ttie officers that he has admitted to them that he had invited the disaffected natives from 1 lie interior to come down the coast for the purpose of joining liangihaeata, but he states that his only object in doing so had been to lead tbern into a trap,, in order that he, in conjunction with i.er Majesty's forces, might destroy them. This statement of his own sufficiently illustrates his character. I have, however, no doubt that a very dangerous and extensive conspiracy had been formed, and that he was the directing head of it. — 1 have, &c. (Signed) G. Grey. The Right Hon. W. E Gladstone, &c.