GOVERNOR GREY'S MEASURES WITH REGARD TO RAUPARAHA. [From Parliamentary Papers relative to New Zealand.] (Continued from our last.)

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume III, Issue 210, 4 August 1847, Page 3

GOVERNOR GREY'S MEASURES WITH REGARD TO RAUPARAHA. [From Parliamentary Papers relative to New Zealand.] (Continued from our last.)

From Lieut. -Governor Grey to the Hon. W. E. Gladstone. Wellington, July 20, 1846. Sir, — The enclosed copy of a letter addressed from Mamuku, or Te Karamu, a Wanganui chief of a very bad character, who i has been, throughout the existing disturbances, present with Rangihaeata, and has been one of the worst and most desperate of his band, was forwarded to me by one of the Wanganui chiefs to whom it was addressed. I received it a few days since, and did not at the time attach a great deal of importance to it. I v. as, however, struck by the altered tone adopted by the writer, one of whose letters I previously transmitted for your information, in which he gave himself up for lost, upon account of the coast-road being closed against the rebels. I was also struck by the fact of the name of Te Rauparaha being mentioned as a person with whom they were in communication, and who was assenting to and favouring their plans. I, however, could not believe that he could be guilty of such treachery ; and I, the other day, when I received him on board the Driver, at Porirua, showed him this letter from Mamuku, and asked him had he in any way authorised his name being used in this manner ? He replied that he had never done so, and that Mamuku had told falsehoods. I watched him narrowly at the time, and his manner was such as to lead me to think that he really had no knowledge that such a letter had been written. I however received, in the course of yesterday, positive information that a party of about 100 natives, under Ngapara and Maketu, two chiefs to whom Mamuku's letter was written, were coming down the coast to join Rangihaeata and Mamuku, and that there was reason to believe that other parties were likely to follow them from the interior. I also received yesterday a letter addressed by the leading chief of this party to Te Rauparaha, and which had been intercepted and forwarded to the Superintendent. I must confess that circumstances now appear to tell strongly against Te Rauparaha's good faith. Mamuku's directions have been most implicitly obeyed ; and it is clear that the parties to whom his letter was written, believed that he stated the fact in saying that the coastroad bad been opened, and that Te Rauparaha had consented, for they unhesitatingly travel along that road, and address themselves to Te Rauparaha as to the person upon whose influence they rely for permission to pass safely. The enclosed letter from the chiefs at Waikanae shows that our friends along the coast are still firm ; aud the information I received was so prompt and good, that had her Majesty's steam-vessel Driver been in good order, I must have surprised and destroyed this party. Unfortunately, however, one of her boilers having burst, we cannot get to sea until tomorrow, and they may thus succeed in getting into the forests, and joining Rangihaeata (which they caunot do until they pass Waikanae) before we can reach Waikanae. Every effort, however, shall be made either to destroy them or to have them driven back by our native allies. They are well armed with double-barrelled guns aud muskets, with two cartouche-boxes to each man, and spare ammunition. They express themselves confident of success, and anxious for an opportunity of meeting her Majesty's forces. As the suspicion which now attaches to the sincerity of Te Rauparaha, and the confidence the natives now repose on their own valour, and their contempt for us since Captain Reed's unfortunate affair, clearly indicate that a very important crisis is approaching, I shall lose no opportunity of transmitting the most complete information upon all that passes here. The natives in the vicinity of Port Nicholson are acting very well. They are ready to obey any orders that I may issue to them,

and they express the most perfect confidence in, and satisfaction with, the various arrangements which have been made. At an interview I had the other day with the leading chiefs, I made use of the most decided language with, regard to my intention of punishing the rebels, and all who might aid or assist the individuals who were committing such dreadful murders. These intentions were very well received by all the chiefs present: and I think that when what passed has been reported to Rauparaha, he is likely to insist upon the natives who are coming down the coast returning, as he will certainly become alarmed for his own safety. — I have, &c. (Signed) G. Grey. The Right Hon. W. E. Gladstone, &c.

Enclosure 1 in No. 29. (Translation.) Poriiua, 25th May, 1846. To Hori Kingi, Te Tahana, Wirema Te Tauri, Tamati Waka, Hori Kaiaarolo, Raharahi (native chiefs of Wanganui), hear, my friends. Give your consent and allow Ngapara, Maketu, Amorama, and Te Kawana, those who do not profess Christianity, to come and see Rangihaeata and myself, and to hear the particulars of i the war we are carrying on. The coast, or road, is open, and Te Rauparaha has given his consent. It remains with you concerning the people of Tahau (to permit them to come). It remains with Koparahi and Ngawui to suggest to Te Hiki and Tahuwero to come down. It remains with Ngapara and Pakoro to send messengers to Taupo (for assistance.) On the 12th day of May we attacked the white people at Boulcott's Farm, and gained the victory, having killed ten of them. (Signed) Te Mamaku. (True Copy.) J. Coates, C.C. Enclosure 2 in No. 29. (Translation.) 9th July, 1846. To Rauparaha; salutations to you, the (living or accessible) , representative of your children (Rangihaeata and Mamaku). Don't inquire or be suspicious of this coming (down of people). It is not for hostile purposes. It is a visit to see Mukau and Mamaku. It is to bring a> horse. There is no person to convey (the horse), since Pehiroa (a chief) is dead, and Te Houhew is also dead. That your words may agree with each other. But here is the sympathy for your children, whom we wish to see and then return again. But let your influence be shown, and soften the determination of the Ngatiawas at Waikanae, and the Ngatiraukawa, so as to allow us to pass through and pay a visit to your children. From Maketu. (True copy). J. Coates, C.C. Enclosure 3 in No. 29. (Translation.) Waikanae, 15th July, 1846. Friend the Governor, health to you. Our regard is great for you. We have a word to say to you. We have heard by a white person who has come from Auckland that a hostile party is on their way from Wanganui ; they left them at Rangitikei (100 persons). It is on this account that we write this letter to you, to ask you to give us some guns and powder, some ball and flints, and cartouche-boxes. If you approve of this our request for guns, send us twenty cases, that there may be sufficient, aa we are many. Our friend, make haste. The coming down of hostile parties has now commenced. This is the first part}' — presently there will be a second, a third, and fourth party to join Rangihaeata for the purpose of killing the white people ; but not for the white people only — no, for us also, as you will consider we have been united by the Christian belief. It is on this account we have regard for you, as you regard us. If we were at Wellington we should stand up with you, as E Puni and his party have joined the white people. Don't think for a moment we are wavering as to what step we should take. No, we are looking to you. The consent (or allegiance) we made to you is sure, and remains for ever. Don't think that this hostility is for the white people only — it is for us both — to overturn the Christian belief. As we have heard that Rangihaeata has made sacred the road, to prevent the quiet and welldisposed from bringing down their pigs to Wellington, the road between Pukerua and Kaurarawara is the part to be set aside for Rangihaeata — for the man who has not yet believed or become a Christian. Now the Ngatitoa are aiding or strengthening Rangihaeata. Listen to the reason of our regard for you : it is because the white people are free from any charge of oppressing or first injuring the natives : hence the greatness of our love for you. The guns we ask "are not for the purpose of assaulting Rangihaeata's pa. No : we want them here to lay in wait for those hostile natives who may come down upon us. Should you approve of this request, send to us on the 20th day of this month. — From your sincere friends. f Wiremu Kingi Wxti. (Signed) •< Te Here. {.TUAIRANE HINGARERE. (True copy.) J. Coates, C.C.