CAPTURE OF RAUPARAHA. From Lieut.-Governor Grey to the Right Hon. W. E. Gladstone. Her Majesty's Steamer Driver, Porirua July 23, 1846.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume III, Issue 210, 4 August 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, — I have the honour to report that the Driver heing ready for sea on Monday last, I on the evening of that day proceeded up the coast with a party of seamen, under the command of Captain Stanley 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 Nga-

tiawa tribe, and proceeded to Otaki, and took on board the six principal chiefs at that place ©f the Ngatiraukawa 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 Wednesday 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 on shore, 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 whole of the chiefs with whom I had interviews declared that these disturbances were to be entirely attributed to the intrigues of Te Rauparaha, and some of the chiefs of the pa of Taupo at Porirua. They declared that the tapu which had been established close to our camp at Porirua by Rangihaeata, and which had been carried into effect by the adherents of Te Rauparaha, and which they were continuing to carry into effect, notwithstanding their repeated promises to "he cmtrary, was done to convince the tribes in the interior of the weakness of the Europeans, and the extent of the influence of Rangihaeata, and th.at it was producing the greatest effect throughout the country. Some officers of the force who fell in with a European travelling down the coast with cattle, were informed by him that some of the rebel party had in an exulting manner warned him that he would not be allowed to pass at Taupo. Many circumstances .combined to convince me of the effect that this tapu was producing. I also understood from the chiefs of Otaki, Te Rauparaha's principal place of residence, that that chief had altogether deceived them, and that, instead of his fulfilling his promises of joining them for the purpose of preventing parties of rebels passing down the coast, to murder European settlers, he was in fact conniving at their so doing. I determined, therefore, in pursuance of my previous intention, to return to Porirua, and to send a party on shore at 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, that I would carry into effect my threats of punishing any chiefs who should assist in fomenting rebellion and disturbances in this country. The attempt to seize these chiefs was perfectly successful. Te Rauparaha, Te Kanae (the Ariki of the Ngatitoa tribe), and Hohepa, together with two inferior chiefs, were seized, and a considerable supply of arms and ammunition belonging to the disaffected portion of the Ngatitoa tribe, which was found in their pa. Information was sent to Rangihaeata at an early period after this movement was made, and he at once proceeded to the assistance of Te Rauparaha ; but as he had to make a wide circuit to pass by 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. I intend to return to Waikana'e this evening in the hope of still falling in with the first party of rebels to-morrow or to-morrow night; and in the event of Rangihaeata being alarmed at the seizure of Te Rauparaha, and attempting to retreat and form a junction with the rebels coming to his assistance, we shall be between them, and have a chance of attacking them in detail. I think, however, from what passed between myself and the chiefs of Waikanae, Otaki, and Ohau, that the party of rebels proceeding from the inteiior will be driven back by the natives before they reach Ohau. Since Te Rauparaha has been seized, I understand from some of the officers that he Las admittedto them that he had invited the disaffected natives from the interior to come down' the coast for the purpose of joining Rangihaeata, but he states that his only object in doing so had been to lead them into a trap, in order that he, in conjunction with her 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. — I have, &c. (Signed) G. Gret. The Eight Hon. W. E. Gladstone, &c.