PAPERS RELATIVE TO THE CAPTURE OF THE WERAROA PA.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1865 Session I, A-07

A.—No. 7.

PAPERS RELATIVE TO THE CAPTURE OF THE WERAROA PA.

PRESENTED TO BOTH HOUSES OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, BY COMMAND OF HIS EXCELLENCY. WELLINGTON. 1865.

A.—No. 7.

No. l. His Excellency the Govebnob to the Eight Hon. Edwabd Card well, M.P. Sib,— Before Weraroa Pa, 19th July, 1865. I have the honor to transmit for your information copies of a correspondence between myself and Brigadier-General Waddy, C.8., from which you will find that from the nature of the orders issued to him by Lieut.-General Sir D. A. Cameron, he cannot undertake without reference to him an operation which an immediate danger renders necessary. 2. Lieut.-General Cameron is in point of time distant from ten days to a fortnight, or perhaps more from this place. I fear that if an experienced Brigadier-General and the Governor of the Colony cannot, in a time of emergency, undertake with the forces under the command of the Brigadier-General, an operation necessary to prevent a new rebellion from arising, it will be difficult for me to induce the colonists to pay for forces which are in times of difficulty practically useless. I trust that Her Majesty's Government will be pleased to direct the officer in command of the forces in New Zealand to give a much larger discretionary power to the Brigadier-Generals under his command, or at least to reside at the scat of Government of the country, or at the point where hostilities are likely to break out. I have, &c, G. Gbet. P.S. —I transmit herewith for your information the copy of a memorandum I have drawn up, detailing the events which have passed here during the last few days, and I have the honor respectfully to request your attention to the concluding paragraphs of that memorandum, from which you will see in how unprecedented and difficult a position I have been placed by the orders which Sir D. A. Cameron has issued to Brigadier-General Waddy. G. Gbet. The Eight Hon. Edward Cardwell, M.P. Enclosure 1 to No. 1. His Excellency the Govebnoe to Brigadier-General "Waddy. Sib,— In front of the Weraroa Pa, 19th July, 1865. Information which I have just received from various parts of this island satisfies me that the worst possible effect is being produced by the murderers, fanatics, and turbulent natives who hold the Weraroa Pa being permitted to remain unmolested for so many months close to a British settlement, in the presence of a large British force. If some steps are not at once taken for the capture of the pa, I am sure the result will be renewed rebellion on the part of the fanatics in many parts of New Zealand. In fact they have already risen to assist the fanatics or broken out into revolt in several places. Under these circumstances, before determining what steps should be taken for the immediate capture of the pa, I wish to know whether the instructions under which you are acting from Lieut.General Sir D. A. Cameron, X.C.8., will permit of your proceeding to invest that place, and to carry out regular operations for its immediate reduction, without the delay of a reference to him at Auckland, or whether such reference must first be made. I have, &c, Brigadier-General Waddy, C.8., &c, &c, &c. G. Gbet. Enclosure 2 to No. 1. Brigadier-General Waddt to His Excellency the Governor. Sib, — Camp Nukumaru, 19th July, 1865. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Excellency's letter of this date requiring to know whether the instructions under which I am acting from Lieut.-General Sir D. A. Cameron will permit of my proceeding to invest the Weraroa Pa and to carry out regular operations for its immediate reduction without reference to him, and in reply I have the honor to inform your Excellency that I cannot undertake this operation against the pa unless I receive the orders of the Lieut.-General Commanding the Forces to do so ; I will of course forward your Excellency's communication without delay to Sir D. A. Cameron, and I will hold the troops in this district ready to move at the shortest notice, should the Lieut.-General commanding the forces direct an immediate attack on the pa. I have, &c, E. Waddt, His Excellency Sir G. Grey, K.C.B. Brigadier-General commanding Field Force, A

PAPERS BEIATIVE TO THE CAPTURE OF THE WEEAROA PA.

A.—No. 7.

Enclosure 3 to No. 1. His Excellency the Governor to Brigadier-General Waddy, C.B. Sir,— In front of the "VVeraroa Pa, 19th July, 1865. As notwithstanding the danger which exists, and the distance in time of Lieut.-General Sir D. A. Cameron from this place, you cannot use the force under your command for the reduction of the "VVeraroa Pa, I beg to request you will to the following extent assist the Colonial forces and the Natives, which I shall now direct to undertake this operation, although I believe at an unnecessary and improper risk. I imderstood from Sir D. Cameron that he had ordered the construction of a post at Nukumaru, with the view of enabling you to take the Weraroa Pa by surprise if a fitting opportunity offered. The position of the post at Nukumaru, and the strength of the force ordered by Lieut.-General Cameron to be stationed there (250 men), —reference being had to the force that must be left to protect the post if any men moved from it, —evidently render it entirely unfit to attain the object contemplated by Sir D. A. Cameron. I would therefore ask that, leaving the post at Nukumaru as it is, you would without delay, establish another post of four hundred men near the point where Major Yon Tempsky is encamped, which would serve at once as a moral support for the local forces and Natives, and answer the object contemplated by Sir D. A. Cameron. And I would further ask, that you would assist by ordering here without delay, a detachment of Artillery, with heavy guns and morLars for the purpose of breaching and keeping down the fire of the place whilst the local forces and Natives work up to it and assault it. Without you do this, I fear a large and absolutely unnecessary loss of the lives of the Queen's subjects, Natives and Europeans, will be incurred, which would seem to be wrong when a large force under your command, intended by the Queen's Government for the suppression of rebellion and the preservation of the peace in Her Majesty's possessions, is close at hand. I have, &c., Brigader-General Waddy, C.B. G. Grey. Enclosure 4 to No. 1. Brigader-General Waddt to His Excellency the Governor. Sir, — Camp Nukumaru, Noon, 19th July, 1865. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Excellency's letter of this date, asking that a post for 400 men should be established near the village of Nyeneue (where the Forest Rangers are now encamped), to act as a support to the Colonial Forces and friendly Natives, and in reply to inform your Excellency that, under existing circumstances, I feel it my duty to comply with your Excellency's wishes at once, as a considerable time might elapse before I could receive orders from the Lieut.-General commanding the forces. The troops shall be sent to Nyenene without delay, and 1 will also direct a detachment of Boyal Artillery and an officer of Royal Engineers to accompany them. I have, &c, E. Waddt, Brigadier-General commanding Field Force. His Excellency Sir George Grey, X.C.8., &c , &c, &c. Enclosure 5 to No. 1. MEMOEANDTJM by the Governor. The state of affairs in the Upper Wanganui is this : The Native force was withdrawn (leaving a European local force at Pipiriki), to avail themselves of an opportunity which they found had offered of seizing the Weraroa Pa. Their native friends all followed them, leaving, I believe, only 35 men on the river. They left all their property in their pas, which were fortified and provisioned for twelve months. They were not allowed then to take the Weraroa Pa ; they are now ashamed to leave it. In the meantime a good many people have flocked into the pa, and some of the reinforcements which it now appears the fanatics had sent for, are now on the Upper Wanganui, and are threatening the European force there and the pas of the friendly Natives ; whilst General Waddy and Her Majesty's Forces cannot act without orders from Auckland, although the Governor is on the spot. All which presents a difficult and peculiar combination. July 18th, 1865. G. Geet. Enclosure 6 to No. 1. Mr. Walter Buller to His Excellency's Acting Pritate Secretart. Sir, — Eesident Magistrate's Office, Wanganui, 18th July, 1865, (5 p.m.) I have the honor to furnish herewith, for the information of His Excellency the Governor, a native letter received from the Upper Wanganui this afternoon. Mr. Booth does not appear to attach much value to the report it conveys, and has stated his reasons in a letter to the Governor, which I forward herewith. Mr. Booth will proceed to his district early to-morrow morning, and will report further on arrival at Karatia. I have, Ac, Major Gray, Walter Buller, Acting Private Secretary, Nukumaru. District Magistrate. Mr. James Booth to His Excellency the Governor. Mt dear Sir George,— Wanganui, 18th July, 1805, five p.m. A letter of which I enclose a translation has just been received from the Upper Wanganui. I do not believe the information is of such importance as the letter would lead us to believe.

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" Hare Matenga," the man who is said to have given the information to Kerelionia, is a Hau Hau, and would find it unsafe to visit Pipiriki for the purpose of warning his relatives. At the same time, I believe the position at Pipiriki to be critical. I intend to proceed up the river to-morrow, and will communicate with Mr. Buller when I hear something more definite. I have, &c, His Excellency the Governor. James Booth. Karatia, Hurae 18, o nga ra, 1865. Xi te Taone, ki a Putu, kia Rihari, ki a te Pura Kaiwhakawa, ki Nukumaru, ki a Makiatonore Kapane, ki a Aperaniko, ki a Te Kepa. —E koro ma c rua rau o te taua kei Pipiriki ko te kati kei te Puha kei te Mataka hei rohe ia tatou kei puta ki Pipiriki. Kua Karangatia, te ra hei whawhaitanga ko te rua o nga ra pai i karangatia, c kite koutou i te ra pai, koiana. Ko te tupuna o te mate kua tata ki oku matua Pakeha. i\a Hare Matenga te korero kia Kerehoma. Ka huri i konei. Na Haeihona. [Teakslation by Mr. Booth.] Karatia, 18th July, 1865. To the town, to Booth, to Richard Woon, to Mr. Buller, Magistrate, on to Nukumaru, to Captain McDonell, to Aperaniko, and to Kemp,— Eriends, (four ?) hundred of the war party are at Pipiriki; the blockade is at the Puha, one mile on this side Pipiriki; our limit is to be at Mataka, to prevent our reaching Pipiriki. The day for the fight is appointed —the second fine day is that named. When you see a fine day you will know. The progenitor of death has come near my Pakeha fathers. This was told to Kerehoma by Hare Matenga. This is all. From Haeihona. Enclosure 7 to No. 1. MEMORANDUM by Goveunoe. On Monday, the 17th July, at about l'3O p.m., I arrived at Maeneene, accompanied by General "VVaddy and others, and found about three hundred and eighty Natives, under Captain MeDonell, encamped at two thousand yards from the "VVeraroa Pa, and about one hundred and thirty Bushrangers, under Major Yon Tompsky, encamped at about eight hundred yards from the Pa, the whole under command of Major Rookes of the Militia, who had been for some days in the Pa of Perikamo, under and distant about four hundred yards from the Weraroa Pa. Pehimana and Aperahama, two of the principal Chiefs of the Pa, were awaiting my arrival; two other principal Chiefs, Hori Tipene and Ruka, were left in the Pa. The purport of their communication was that they admitted that the Pa was erected on land which belonged to the Government, and that they had no right there, and that therefore all the leading men had placed the Pa in the hands of Hori Kingi, of Wanganui,to give the Pa up to me ; but they wished time to be given to them to remove their women and children ; this was promised them. I asked Hori Kingi would he go and take possession of the Pa, he refused to do this. I saw he was afraid of being murdered, and he has since said this was the reason of his refusal. I then said I should go up and take possession of the Pa, and that he must accompany me. I understood that he would, but he was evidently unwilling and distrustful. The two Chiefs, Aperahama and Pehimana, went ori to make preparations for my reception. I had for two days been satisfied in my own mind that all intention of giving the Pa up had been abandoned by the mass of the jjeople in it, and that they would not do it, and were only pretending in order to gain time. The general opinion of the interpreters and others on this point was different to mine. Presently Captain McDonell came back from Perikamo, and said the Natives wished me to go up and take possession of the Pa. He was quite satisfied they intended to give it up. 1 proceeded, accompanied by General "VVaddy, Major Gray, Captain Bulkeley, Colonel Trevor, and others, Mr. Parris as interpreter. When about one hundred and twenty yards from the Pa, in which a white flag was flying, the Natives came out of the Pa and asked me to halt. A Native then asked me, were they to understand that time would be given to them to remove their women and children ; I replied, yes, that had been arranged. They then asked me were they to understand that they would not be personally punished for their rebellion ; I replied they would all be pardoned except murderers, and so far would they be from being ill-treated that those who returned to their allegiance would henceforth be treated in all respects as the Queen's European subjects. They then said it was all satisfactory, and Aperahama, the principal Chief of the Pa, came out and requested that Hori Kingi and myself alone would at once go into the Pa. Hori Kingi came to my side, we (were on horseback) and said —Oh Governor, do not let us go in, ride up and touch the fence with your hand, and let that satisfy you, do not let us go in. I saw he was in great fear of treachery. Several of the Natives earnestly begged me not to go on, saying the people in the Pa were fanatics, given up to old customs. I told Hori Kingi that he must come on, he gave way, and Mr. Parris, myself, Hori Kingi, and Hori Kerei, rode on towards the Pa. When we arrived within about thirty or forty yards of the pa, the priest of the fanatics came out and ordered the Natives not to allow us to come farther, that they would not give up the Pa —and Hori Kingi said that he saw their guns prepared, and that we should be fired on if we moved on, and the friendly Chiefs of the Weraroa Pa, who stood between us and the Pa, seeing what was intended, prayed us not to go on. We remained a short time and then returned to the main party, and all rode back to Maeneene. Pehimana finding that his people would not give up the pa, came in and gave himself up ; Aperahama came in the next morning and gave himself up. A principal Chief, Ruka, left the Pa the same day as Aperahama with ten followers, but would not give himself up here; he left word he would meet Mr, Parris at Patea.

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On the 18th, in the morning, the people in the Pa pretended to be still anxious to give it up, and wrote a letter to me, a copy of which is enclosed, together with a copy of my reply. In the afternoon, Hanitawa went up and saw most of the Natives of the Pa, who said they would consent to peace if we acknowledged the Native King. They sent also a message for Mr. Parris to go up and sleep with them. Before Mr. Parris started, the Chief Pehimana had gone back to the Pa, and the priest refused his own Chief admittance into it. An angry discussion ensued between them, during which Mr. Parris was advancing to the Pa; Pehimana seeing this sent to beg him to go back, and shortly afterwards returned himself. After Mr. Parris left, a part of the tribes, Ngarauru and Pakeikohe, who had been stopping at Whenuakura, arrived with their arms to aid in the defence of the place. Ten men from the Pa had also gone up the river with a canoe to bring down a party of TJriwera Natives, said to consist of 140 men, who had arrived from the East Coast, to assist the Natives of Weraroa. I have no doubt that this is one of the reinforcements, to gain time for the arrival of which, they have been negotiating. There were no entrenching tools of any kind with the local forces or Native contingent, and only sixteen spades at the military post at Nukumaru, two miles further from the Pa than this place. These spades could not be spared. The only gun in our neighbourhood is one six-pounder at Waitotara, useless for our purposes. The large Native and European force which is in front of the Pa, having arrived there, and the series of events in the Wairarapa, on the East and South-West Coast,known already to the Government, and these above detailed having taken place, and reinforcements having reached the Pa from distant places, I have found that very bad consequences would result if this force retired disappointed and baffled, I shall therefore think it my duty, unless otherwise advised, to take measures for attempting the capture of the Pa, which measures will be found detailed in my correspondence with General Waddy. I am very much disappointed that General Waddy's instructions prevent him from taking those steps which appear necessary at this juncture. lam still more disappointed that neither myself nor the Government are acquainted with the nature of the instructions which have been given to him. If the General Commanding the Forces can issue instructions to Generals Commanding Districts of a nature unknown to the Governor or to the Government, by which their hands are so tied up that they cannot at the request of the Governor and in concert with him, take such steps as sudden emergencies render necessary, whilst the General Commanding the Forces in point of time is ten or fourteen days distant from the threatened point, Her Majesty's Forces are comparatively useless,and Sir D. Cameron has in point of fact deprived the Governor of his commission as Commander-in-Chief. There can be no doubt that the General must himself have obeyed the orders of the Commander-in-Chief; how then he can order his subordinate oflicer to refuse to obey them, it is hard to understand. 18th July, 1865. G. Grey. The critical complications which have taken place in the Upper Wanganui will be gathered from other letters ; that at such a time so large a force should be locked up and rendered useless for many days may entail serious and lasting evils on this country. All that tne local Government can do under these circumstances is to exert itself as far as possible to arrest the evils which have arisen, and which would not have arisen had the pa been attacked when the Colonial forces first arrived before it, for the Natives now admit that there were then but very few people in it; on very good Native authority it is stated that there were only thirty men armed with firearms. 18th July, 1865. G. Gbet. Perekama, Hurae 18, 1865. Xi a Te Kawana, Xi a Hoki Kinoi, — E hoa ma. Kia rongo mai korua. He kupu whakaatu tena kia korua, kia whakahokia katoatia nga Marihi Maori, nga Marihi Pakeha, Te Tianara, me ana hoia katoa nei, c noho mama i Maeneene i Nukumaru, whakahokia katoatia atu c korua kite taone ki "Whangamii, no te mea c wohiwehi ana <iv, ara nga Maori katoa nei c noho nei i to Weraroa, ki a korua hoia, c noho mai nei, ka oti tena ia korua, na ko ta tatou korero kei tua atu i tena, maku c ki atu i roto i taua korero a tatou, aku Pakeha i manaaki ai, ara nga Pakeha Maori c rite ana ki au hei hoa noho moku ki taua wahi c tohe mama koe. Xi te pai korua ki nga kupu o tena pukapuka tuhituhia mai, kite kahore tuhituhia mai, haunga ia ta taua pai, kua oti tena, c takoto ana tena te pai. Heoi Ano, Na Teeethj, Na Te Pooti Katoa o Te Paremeta. [translation.] To the Governor —To Hori Kingi. Friends, —-Do you hearken. That is a word of mine explaining to you to send back all the Maori Militia, European Militia, the General and all his soldiers, who are occupying Maeneene and Nukumaru, do you two cause them all to go back to the town —to Wanganui ; because I, that is to say, all the Maories in the Weraroa (Pa) are fearful of your soldiers who are staying there. When you have done that, then after that our conference (we will talk). 1 will tell you during that talk of ours the Europeans whom 1 wish for —that is to say, the Europeans who are the same as I am —to be fellow settlers with me upon that place you so strive for. If you two agree to the words of that letter, write in reply ; if not, write, but not as regards our peace (pai), for that is lying (estabished) peace is. That is all. Teketiu. Perikama, 18th July, 186-1. The vote of whole (Assembly) Parliament. E Tama Ma,— Hurae 12, 1865. Ekore au c whakahoki aku taugata ki Whanganui. Kotahi taku kupu kia whakapuinautia o

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kuhu ki a au, ki a tae atu au pi roto kite pa, hei reira ka whakapumautia aku kupu ki a koutou, ka atawhaitia koutou c au. Na to hoa, Te Kawana G-. Geey. [teanslation.] Oh! Sons— I will not cause my men to return to "VVanganui. I have but one word, that your words to me be fulfilled, that I come into the pa, then will I fulfil my words to you, and in every way I will treat you well. Tour friend, G. GREY-, 18th July, 1865. Governor. No. 2. His Excellency the Goternob to the Eight Hon. the Secretary or State foe the Colonies. Si R) — • Before the Weraroa Pa, 21st July, 1865. I have the honor to enclose for your information copies of letters I have received from various sources, from which you will find that in co-operation with the movements the rebels are making on the East Coast, a large body of them have assembled and suddenly assailed a detachment of the Colonial Forces of about 230 men, under the command of Captain Brassey, who are stationed at Pipiriki, on the Upper Wanganui River. I have also this afternoon received information that can be relied on, that the body of between two and three hundred rebel natives who have collected from the country which lies between Wairarapa, Taupo, and the Wanganui River, and who have now for some time been moving in this direction, collecting as they go, are dividing into two parties, one of which is to reinforce the rebels in this pa, and the other to join in the attack on Captain Brassey. Captain Brassey is a good and able officer, and will I have no doubt give a good account of any rebels that attack him, but he must speedily be rescued, and the peril of his position causes me great concern. I have, &c, G. Geet. Two a.m., 22nd July. P.S. —Fresh intelligence having been received late this evening of the increasing danger of Captain Brassey, the friendly Natives have offered that one of their number shall at all risks steal through the enemy and take a letter to Captain Brassey, to let him know that the pa will be in our possession to-morrow morning, and that then forces shall immediately be sent to his rescue. The letter a copy of which is enclosed, has therefore just been sent on to him, to encourage him to hold out. G. G. Wanganui, 22nd July, nine p.m. P.S. —A native who, for a reward of £15, has got out from Pipiriki and avoided the rebel Natives, has just arrived here carrying the letter, a copy of which is enclosed, from Captain Brassey to Major Rookes, commanding Wanganui militia. From this you will learn that on the 19th instant he was attacked by the rebels in force, but beat them off with considerable loss on their part, only one officer and one man being wounded on our side. The first detachment proceeding to his rescue will move off from here to-morrow morning, carrying him the ammunition and the supplies of which he is in need. Part of his letter is evidently written in Latin, from fear that it might with the messenger fall into the hands of the enemy, and that they might, if it was written in English, which many of them understand, find out his wants. I have, &c, The Right Hon. Edward Cardwell, M.P. G. G. Wellington, 12th August, 1865. P.S. —From the copies of letters herewith enclosed you will be glad to find that the gallant Captain Brassey and his brave garrison were relieved on the Ist instant. He had only one officer and two men slightly wounded. The enemy lost fifty killed and wounded, including several chiefs of rank. G. G. Enclosure 1 to No. 2. Major J. Nixon to His Excellency the Goveenoe. Deae Sib Geobge Geet, — Sedgebrook Grange, 17th July, 1865. The imperative haste in which the enclosed note was just delivered to me must plead my apology for thus hastily addressing you. At half-past seven p.m., in a torrent of rain, the bearer has arrived, so I hasten at once to town with him to engage horses and forward him without delay to Weraroa. There are some number of canoes going up to-morrow at 10 a.m., but I shall detain some of them until I hear from you, with instructions how to act, and start one of the lightest with a letter to Captain Brassey, commanding at Pipiriki, that we are advised of his being attacked, and will support him without delay. Should you therefore send any of the Native Contingent back here, I will have the canoes ready to instantly forward them. I only left Pipiriki on Saturday last myself, with Major Gorton, and then, from Pehi's manner, warned Captain Brassey that something was wrong. Waiting your instructions, I have, &c, His Excellency Sir George Grey, K.C.B. John Nixon. B

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Enclosure 2 to No. 2. J. White, Esq., to Major Nixon. Mt deae Nixon, — l-past 6 p.m., 17th July, 1865. As Mr. Buller is away, and the bearer cannot find E. M. Booth, I send them to you to see if you can send them off at once to Sir George, with the news that they will tell you. They will go at once, if you can get horses for them. Tour old friend, John "White. Enclosure 3 to No. 2. No Koroniti, 14 o nga ra o Hurae, 1865. Kia Haimona Iliroti, kia Te Poihipi, Otira, Ha koutou katoa. E hoa ma. Tena koutou, he kupu whakaatu atu tena na matou kia koutou ho korero ne uta ko te taua kei Manganui-a-te-Ao, Otira kaore ano matou i ata mohio, ko Ngatipukeko, kua huri kei Waitotara, c rua tekau ma whitu, ko nga Bangatira nana tenei taua, tokotoru, ko Topia Turoa, ko Kereopa, ko Henare, Otira, kaore ano i tata mai kei Eotoaira ano haua pea. E tama kaua c huri mai, tukua mai ano ko nga tangata i whakaritea hei hoki mai ano ka pai, tenei te whakaaro, mehemea ka rere atu hoki he reta i muri nei o tena reta kua tika, kua tae nga tangata o Atene. O Koriniti, ko Hari, ko Te Eopiha, ko Werahiko, ko Te Hapi, ko nga tangata nana i korero mai, ko Hakaraia, ko Poumua, ko Wiari. Na Hibeti Haimona. [Translation.] Koriniti, 14th July, 1865. To Haimona Hiroti, to Te Poihipi, and in fact to all of you, — Friends, salutations. That is a word of ours to let you know. The news from the interior is that the war party is at Manganui-a-te-Ao, but we are not yet exactly certain. Ngatipukeko have turned towards Waitotara, twenty-seven of them. The Chiefs, whose this army is, are three, Topia Turoa, Kereopa, and Henare, but they are not yet come near. They are still at Eotoaira, but perhaps not, it is uncertain. Sons, do not come hither; only let those come which were appointed to do so. This thought is correct; also, if a letter follow this one, this news is confirmed. The people of Atene and Koroniti, Hari Wirahiko, Kopiha, and Hapi, have gone there. The persons who brought the news are Hakaraia, Poumua, and Wiari. Hieeti Haimona, (but in fact from the whole Eunanga.) Enclosure 4 to No. 2. Hiruharama, Hurae 18, 1865. Haere ra c taku reta kia Eewi, kia Wiripo. E hoa ma. Tena koutou, he kupu tenei kia rongo' koutou, ko te tana, ka takoto kei Mangaio kotahi rau Pakeha c noho ana c tatari ana kia tae mai a Topia katahi ano ka rapua he tikanga, ko te kupu a te Tahana, kia putu rana ko Neki ko Pehi kia kererotia nga Pakeha kia hoki atu, ko wai i hua ai ko te rongo kia ia te tana, kia mohio mai koutou, kia tere mai, kaua i noho atu. Na Hamioea, Na Peata. [Tbanslahon.] Hiruharama, 18th July, 1865. Go O my letter to Eewi and Whiripo,— Friends, salutations. This is a word ;do you hear. The war party are lying at Mangaio— one hundred Pakehas are sitting there waiting for Topia to come ; then only will a mode of action be sought for. The word of Tahana to Booth and Neki (Nixon) and Pehi, was that the Pakehas be caused to return—who knows whether or not the army would listen to that word ? Do you be informed—be ■quick, and do not stay away. Haimona, Peata. Enclosure 5 to No. 2. Hiruharama, Hurae 18, 1865. Kia Haimona, kia Nopera, kia Mete Kingi, kia Hori Kingi, kia Matai. E hoa ma. Kua tutakina aTe Puha etc hoa whawhai 18 o nga ra, kua piri te hoa whawhai kite Pakeha, kia tere mai. Na Angikiha, Na Haeihona. [Teanslation.] Hiruharama, 18th July, 1865. To Haimona, to Nopera, to Mete Kingi, to Hori Kingi, to Matai, — Friends, the enemy have closed the way to Pipiriki by occupying Te Puha; they came on the 18th instant. The enemy have drawn near to the Pakeha, be quick hither. Angikeha, Haeihona. Enclosure 6 to No. 2. Major J. Nixon to His Excellency the Govebnoe. Sib,— Militia Office, Wanganui, 19th July, 1865. I have the honor to report to your Excellency, from Natives just arrived (12 noon,) that four hundred Han Haus have really occupied the bank of the river opposite Captain Brassey'e

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camp at Pipiriki. They have occupied a strong position on a low cliff, about four hundred yards opposite, below Captain Brassey's lowest stockade. This position is over a long and dangerous rapid, thus commanding any approach by water, but it is overlooked by hills, and accessible from the sea. I have, &c, John Nixon, His Excellency Sir George G-rey, X.C.8., Weraroa. Major, W.M. P.S.—I append names of Chiefs engaged in this war party —Pehi Turoa, Tahana, Ihaia, Matia, Te Waka, Ngarupiki. Enclosure 7 to No. 2. James Booth, Esq., S.M., to W. L. Buller, Esq., E.M., "Wanganui. Bie,—8 ie,— Wanganui, 19th July, 1865. I have the honor to report that I left town this morning with the intention of proceeding to Pipiriki; nine miles from town I met Natives from Pipiriki, they report as follows: — Monday night, 17th, Ilore Patene and Te Mokena went to Kanaeopou, opposite Pipiriki, to tell their friends of an intended attack on Pipiriki, and inviting the liberated prisoners to join the rebel force. Yesterday morning all the Pipiriki Natives, with the exception "of two men,joined the rebel force. Last evening, as soon as it was dark, the rebels passed amongst the high manuka scrub, and took up a commanding position about a quarter of a mile on this side Pipiriki, but on the opposite side of the river from that on which the force is stationed. The Chiefs of the rebel party are Tuhana Turoa, Topeni Te Manaku, Ihaia, Te Ngarupiki, Matiu, Tamati Waka, and Pehi Turoa. I have, &c, W. L. Buller, Esq., E.M., Wanganui. James Booth, R.M. Enclosure 8 to Ko. 2. Monsieur le Gouverneur, — Wanganui, July 20, 1865. Je me permets d'addresser a votre Excellence quelques mots sur la position critique et dangereuse dans laquelle se trouvent vas hommes de guerre a, Pipiriki. Comme Je connais tres bien cet endroit ainsi que la position dcs Militaires, je dois vous avertir, Monsieur le Gouverneur, qu'ils auront beaucoup a souffier si les Hau Hau sont un pen nombrense. D'abord leurs provisions de bouche se trouvent dans dcs maisons hors dcs redoutes qu'ils se sont construites ; en suite pour se procurer de l'eau ils s'exposent beaucoup, et pour le bois de cuisine il leur est presque impossible d'en obtenir sans tomber dans quelque quet-a-peus dcs Maoris. C'est cet etat do choses, Monsieur le Gouverneur gui mo fait remplir, cc devoir sacre d'humanite de renseigner celui que la Providence a mis ala tete de la Colonie. S'il faut en croire un Maori gui vient d'arriver dv haut de la riviere ou s'est deja battu, et plaise au Ceil que les soldats n'aient pas etc surpris. Je suis Monsieur le Gouverneur, Le tres humble et tres devoue Serviteur, J. Lampila, A Monsieur G. Grey, Gouverneur, &c. Miss. Catholique. [Translation.] .Rev. J. Lampila to His Excellency the Governor. Your Excellency,— Wanganui, 20th July, 1865. I take the liberty of addressing to your Excellency a few words relative to the critical and dangerous position in which your soldiers at Pipiriki are placed. As I know the place very well, and also the position of the soldiers, it is my duty to warn your Excellency that they will have much to undergo if the Hau Haus are at all numerous : firstly, their provisions are in the houses which they have built outside the redoubts ; secondly, to procure water they must expose themselves a good deal, and it is almost impossible for them to obtain firewood without falling into a Maori ambush. It is this state of things, your Excellency, which induces me to fulfil a duty sacred to humanity in warning him whom Providence has placed at the head of the Colony. If a Maori who has just arrived from up river is to be believed, they have already fought, and God grant the soldiers have not been surprised. I am your Excellency's most humble and devoted Servant, J. Lampila, His Excellency Sir George Grey, K.C.B. Catholic Missionary. Enclosure 9 to No. 2. W. Buller, Esq., District Magistrate, to Major Gray, A.D.C. Sir, — Resident Magistrate's Office, Wanganui, 21st July, 1865, 4-1 p.m. I have the honor to transmit herewith, for the information of His Excellency the Governor, copy and translation of a Native letter (from Hiruharama), which has been forwarded to the friendly Chiefs now stationed at Nukumaru. Mr. Booth, E.M., who understands the position and relative value of the Pipiriki redoubts, has made an explanatory minute in the margin of the translation. It is worthy of remark that the report reaches us through three of the liberated prisoners, whose sympathies are known to be on the side of the attacking party ; their account must therefore be received with some degree of caution. That there has been fighting there can be little doubt, for the Ohoutahi and Hiruharama people heard constant firing on Wednesday from daylight till dark. I have, &c, Walter Buller, E.M., Major Gray, A.D.C, Acting Private Secretary, Nukumaru. District Magistrate. Hiruharama, Hurae 20, 1865. Haere ra c tenei reta kia Paora, kia Rewi, kia Wiripo, kia Toma, kia Pauro, kia Motuarama. kia Itini, kia koutou katoa.

7

CAPTURE OF THE WERAROA PA.

A.—No. 7

E boa ma, kua hinga te Pakeha. Kua tae inai alhaka aManueraa Terea, kia matou, kua taupoki a Rangiahua, a Popoia, kua riro ite Hau Hau, hinga ana te Pakeha, hinga ana te Maori. No te mea na koutou ano te waengatanga i nga taonga ki Pipiriki. Ka huri. Na Hamiora, Na Katene, Na Kerehoma, Na Puktttohe. [Translation.] Hiruhararna, 20th July, 1865 Oo this letter to Paora, to Kewi, to Wiripo, to Toma, to Tauro, to Motuarama, to Rewi, and to you all, — Friends, there has been a fight with the Pakehas ; Ihaka, Manuera, and Aterea have arrived at our place. Rangiahua and Popoia have beeii surrounded—they are in the hands of the Hau Haus ; »ome have fallen on both sides. It is the fault of you who have stationed the Pakehas at Pipiriki. This is all. From Hamiora, „ Katene, ~ Kerehortja, „ puktjtoiie. MEMORANDUM by Mr. Booth. Rangiahua is a small pa, which has been occupied by friendly Natives, and close to Papoia, Bushrangers' Redoubt. It is probable that Captain Brassey would order Rangiahua to be burnt, to insure his own safety at Popoia, which is the key to his position. Ist. If Popoia is occupied by rebels, the other redoubts will be untenable. 2nd. The men who brought down the news saw the fight at the distance of half a mile. James Booth, R.M. Enclosure 10 to No. 2. Major J. Nixon to His Excellency the Governor. Sir, — Militia Office, Wanganui, 21st July, i-2 p.m. 1 have the honor to inform you that intelligence has just arrived from Pipiriki, to the effect that Captain Brassey's redoubts had been attacked, and one of them (Hirst's, I imagine), taken by the Hau Haus. We must receive this intelligence with some distrust, as it comes through Hau Hau Natives ; at the same time it is not improbable, as Hirst's redoubt was very imperfect, and its position commanded the main redoubt. I think the Europeans at Pipiriki are safe from a coup de main, but unless promptly supported below Pipiriki, their communications are certain to be not only interrupted, but effectually cut off. I have, &c, John Nixon, His Excellency Sir George Grey, X.C.8., Weraroa Camp. Major W.M. Enclosure 11 to No. 2. Captain Brassey to Major Rookes Commanding "VVanganui M.D. Dear Sir,— Pipiriki, 21st July, 1865. I have promised the bearer £15, on part of Government, if he delivers this safely to you. We were attacked in force on the 19th instant: beat off the Rebels, with only Ensign Cleary and Sergeant Gourd wounded. On their side, we reckon about 20 or more casualties. They withdrew on the morning of the 20th, and a portion of them have taken a position lower down the river to stop supplies. The information given me by Wairi (the man I sent with letters for you) turned out quite correct, and certainly, from precautions I took consequent on it, saved some lives. Yours very truly, Major Rookes, Commanding Wanganui M. D. W. Brassey. Sumus sine rebus Belli satis. My cry, if I could make it heard, would be —the M ! M !! W. Brassey. Enclosure 12 to No. 2. His Excellency the Governor to Captain Brassey. My Dear Sir,— Before the Weraroa, 2| a.m., 22nd July, 1865. I have been in the greatest concern at your position, but have felt the utmost reliance on your courage and prudence and on the bravery of your men. In the meantime, I have risked everything here to be able at the earliest moment to help you. The enemy has just escaped from the pa, but we have got fifty prisoners. We go into the pa at daylight, and at the same hour a large force starts to rescue you. A messenger will take this to you, who will manage to get through the enemy. Hold out bravely ; within a few hours after you get this you will have help. Faithfully yours, Captain Brassey, &c. G. Grey. Enclosure 13 to No. 2. [Translation by James Booth, R.M.] To Governor Sir George Grey,— Pipiriki, 3rd August, 1865. O our loving Father. Salutations. This is our letter, will you send it to the press, that it may be proclaimed through every part of the Island, but also through all lands. In the month of July we went before the Governor, and before his counsellors. We said to the Governor, let us go to

8

PAPERS RELATIVE TO THE

A.—No. 7.

Wanganui, or rather to the Weraroa. Governor Grey agreed to this. He said to us " Go," and I will go by steamer; we then returned from "Wellington to "Wanganui. "When we arrived (at "Wanganui), we found that Captain McDonell, Captain Kepa, and Captain Aperaniko, with one hundred of their people, also Major Rookes with 300, also To Mawai and Haimona with Haiinona's people, numbering 400 ; altogether at the Weraroa there were 800 men. On the 16th July, Hori Kingi and I went to Nukumaru. Hori Kingi, Major Rookes, Captain McDonell, Kawana Paipai, Tamati Puna, Hakaraia Korako, Te Mawai, and Kepa, went to the Weraroa, but were not allowed to go inside. They remained at Perekama, on the Waitotara, and waited for Governor Grey and 800 men. They then staid at Maeneene, half a mile from the Weraroa. On the 20th July, Governor Grey arrived, and the 800 men were paraded before the Governor to do him honor. The Governor then went to make peace, and to enter the pa. When the Governor got to the outside of the pa a man (called by the Haus Haus a Jew) came out of the pa and said, " I will not at all agree that the Governor go into my pa, rather let him go back." Aperahama Tamaiparea said, let the Governor go into the pa ; if you are obstinate the Government Natives of Wanganui as well as the Pakehas will destroy the pa. That Jew said, I shall not be put out of sight, " Rura Pai Mairire " and " Rika Pai Mairire" are above. Aperahama said, you will not be able to resist this war party, the friendly Natives are 500 strong, and the Pakehas are 300 strong, altogether 800. That Jew was still obstinate. Governor Grey said, I will go into that pa, and you must go to the other sid of the Waitotara on to your own land. Leave to me my own land—the Weraroa, the land for which I paid. That bad tribe the Ngarauru would not listen. The Governor then returned to Maeneene, and remained there three nights. The Governor then said he would take the Karaka; and the people of Major Rookes, of Captain McDonell, of Captain Kepa, of Captain Aperaniko, of Hamona, of Karehana Toarangitahi, and of Epiha Te Astokiriri, altogether 200 men, they took sixty prisoners. On that day the Weraroa fell. In the morning the war party of Governor Grey went into that pa, namely, the Weraroa ; at the eighth hour they cheered. On that day also the remainder of the 800 proceeded to Maeneene and took possession of the Weraroa to keep possession of it. At that hour also the Governor set off back to Wanganui with the Maories and all the Pakehas, and left the Imperial troops to occupy the Weraroa. He then came into the Town of Wanganui and on to Wellington. On the 25th July, our steamer, the " Gundagai," left Wanganui to go to Pipiriki (to take) both Maories and Pakehas, also stores and canoes (behind). We reached Raorika that night. Next night at one the Pakehas and the Maories went on from thence in canoes, and arrived that day at Koriniti; next day we went on and slept at Hiruparama. There we waited until all the Maories (500) had collected, and 300 Europeans added to this make the whole force up to 800. In the night, McDonell, Kepa, and Aperaniko, went up and took possession of Te Pupa (a bad rapid a mile on this side Pipiriki). They did not see any Hau Haus at that place in the morning, they (the Hau Haus) ran away. In the morning we all went on to Pipiriki; the Hau Haus had seen us from the tops of the mountains, and had made their escape, leaving two pas, Ohinemutu and Te Aotumutu; they ran away to Mangaio. We went on and took (possession of) Ohinemutu, supposing that place was still occupied. When we got there we did not find a man in the pa: we then burnt the houses and the wheat stacks. We then counted up the number of those (Maories) who had been killed in the fight with the Europeans at Pipiriki; five dead bodies were seen on that day, one the Pakehas buried. Altogether there were six. O, you Europeans and friendly Maories, listen all of you. The bravery of Captain Brassey, of his officers, and his men, has been very great. The fighting men of Pehi Turoa, of Topini Te Mamaku, of Te Heuheu, of Taonui, and of Hare Taoteka were but fools ; theirs was only the fighting of children. Not one Pakeha w,as killed, whilst the Hau Haus (on the other hand) lost fifty, amongst whom were the following chiefs killed, viz., Horomona Titapu, this belonged to Wanganui, Mikaera, of Taupo, Anatipa, of Taika; these were the chiefs whom we buried. The chiefs who were killed and taken away were Rihari te Otaota and Paurini Rangimonehunehu. O, our friends the Europeans and friendly Maories lift up the power (authority) of the Queen, the strong hand; also of Governor Grey. Let the edge of the sword cut down the evil weeds and brambles of this Island ; let loose the cat that it may kill the rats, because they (the rats) are constantly stealing the food out of the " Ruas " (under-ground food stores), that is, the food out of the Queen's " Rua," namely, the Pakehas and the friendly Maories; the rats are the Hau Haus. Friends. Europeans. This people of Wanganui will stand up as permanent soldiers of the Queen for ever and ever. We will continue to fight (against the Maori Hau Haus of this Island). This is what I have proclaimed. From your friend, Mete Kingi Paethia. Enclosure 14 to No. 2. To Sir Geoegke Geet, — [Tbanslation.] Pipiriki, 3rd August, 1865. omy loving father. Salutations. I have heard that Moa Te Rauhihi is going to fetch the prisoners ; to take them out of your hands. Listen to our word. Do not on any account give them up, because they still wish to continue the fight, and to murder the Europeans. You have already liberated the prisoners who were taken in Waikato and in Wanganui, and they have returned and fought (against you) again. You returned these prisoners as a token of your good (feeling) towards the Maori chiefs. This is our word. Do not on any account let them (the prisoners) go ; when the fighting is finished throughout New Zealand then liberate the prisoners of (or who have been implicated in this work); rather let them be taken to some other Island. From Mete Kingi, Paetahi Rangawhenua. Haimona, Tipiwhenua. Hoei Kingi, Te Anaua. Aperaniko, Te Kamo Karewherewha. C Kawana Paipai, Pukutohe kite riri.

9

CAPTURE OF THE WERAROA PA.

A.—No. 7

Enclosure 15 to No. 2. James Boom, Esq., E.M., to the Hon. the NatiyE Secbetaet. Sib,— Pipiriki, 4th August, 1865. I have the honor to forward a translation of speeches made by Chiefs of Wanganui and fiangitikei to Captain Brassey and the other officers and men comprising the force stationed at Pipiriki. I am sorry that I am not able to do more than send a translation of parts of the speeches, as. not having any one to write them down as delivered (myself acting as interpreter), I had to write them down from meinor} r, with a little assistance from Mete Kingi. The Wanganui Chiefs, as also Captain Brassey and the other officers of the force, will feel much gratified if the G-overnment will print the speeches in the Government Gazette. I have, &c, The Hon. the Native Secretary, "Wellington. James Booth, E.M. TRANSLATION of Speeches by Hobi Kmai and others to Captain Bbassey and the other Officers of the Force stationed at Pipiriki. Pipiriki, 2nd August, 1865. Mete Kdtgi.—Mr. Booth' and Captain MeDonell, this is a crying for the people who have been at Pipiriki, for the Captain (Brassey), for his officers and men. We left yon here at this place. Governor Grey brought the Europeans and the Maories to Pipiriki; the Governor also said, let the Native Contingent go to the Weraroa. The friendly Natives also went to the Weraroa, and the Europeans have been left to be murdered by Pehi Turoa. Salutations to you, my European friends. This is indeed a bad man, namely, Pehi Turoa, because he has tried to murder you. This is your land now, namely, Wanganui, and the whole country across to Taupo—it is yours because your enemies, the owners of the land, have fallen by your hand. May you live for ever, my European friends. May God protect you now and for ever. This is all from me. Kawana Paipai.—Salutations, my European relatives. May you long live through the evil murderous works of Pehi Turoa, of Topia, and of Topine, towards you. This is your land—Wanganui, stretching away to Taupo. Te Oti Takaeangi.—My Pakeha friends, I salute you. My sorrow is very great, because you have been murdered by Pehi Turoa. I will never agree to make peace with Pehi Turoa. Hakaeaia.—My Pakeha friends and brothers, I salute you. These people of Wanganui are your younger brothers. I —that is the whole of my people —will try to uphold the strong hand of the Governor; but we will not agree to make peace, because of the evil works of the Hau Haus, of the murderers both of Europeans and of Maories. It is through the mercy of God that you are living on this day. In the days of our Saviour, he sat at meat with a man whom he knew would be his murderer; so, in this case, Pehi Turoa has eaten with you, and has afterwards turned and murdered you. Hoei Knrai.—This is my weeping for my Pakehas, because we, I and Major Atkinson, left you with Pehi Turoa, for Pehi to take care of you. Pehi Turoa is a man whom I used to think was a chief, and the word of a chief is considered to be sacred ; but I now know him to be no chief, because he has trodden a sacred oath under his feet, and turned round to murder the people with whom he had made peace, and whom he had solemnly sworn to protect. I will not make peace with Pehi, and as to Te Heuheu, if you wish to make peace with him, do so, but I will not be a party to that making of peace ; if Te Heuheu had wanted to make peace he would have written from Taupo to say he was coming, but finding that his people were being killed by your bullets, he wants to make peace with you, that he may get into your neighborhood and murder you in revenge. This also is one word to you, let us have roads. I know two good roads. Tairi is one (the road from Bangitikei to Taupo), and Paraheka is one (the road from Banana to Taupo) ; if the steamer can be brought to Banana, the road from Banana will be the best. What I want is to have roads through every part of the country, that the Governor may take possession of the country which you, his brave people, have conquered for him. Bepresentatives from most of the tribes of New Zealand have been fighting against you ; their country is now confiscated, because you have conquered the owners. Apeeaniko.—My friends, I salute you. I left you here to go to that part of our work, the taking of the Weraroa Pa. I and McDonell were sent by the Governor to do that work. My sorrow for you is very great, because of Pehi's murderous work. This is what I have to say. I will not make peace with Pehi Turoa or Te Heuheu. McDonell and Mr. Booth talk to the Captain, and tell him that the snow is thick on the mountains, the water is deep and rapid in the streams, that the cliffs are difficult of ascent, that the ground is saturated with moisture, and that at present men cannot sleep out without covering; but in summer or spring we will follow McDonell and Captain Brassey, and we will find Pehi Turoa wherever he is, if he is hiding behind the trees in the bush we will find him ; but let the weather get warm so that we can sleep out, and also ford the rivers, and we will follow him to Taupo, and take possession of the country which has become ours through your bravery. Haimona. —My Pakeha friends, I salute you ; may you live for ever, you who have escaped out of the hands of the enemy, namely, out of the hands of Pehi Turoa. I also am alive, and delivered out of the hands of the Weraroa —(the people of those tribes had no chief, so they made apa and called it their chief, namely, the Weraroa). You have heard the talk of these chiefs, namely, the men of Wanganui. This is my word to you, I say when now I have come back to Wanganui I will remain here, and the fight will be continued night or day, winter or summer. In Wanganui alone let the fighting be, not in any other place. Let the Government Natives of the different tribes of the country where there are Hau Haus rise and put down rebellion. I will not agree to occupy any station beyond Pipiriki. Make redoubts here, let the different pas on the Wanganui be filled with Europeans. Leave me to be a Karoro Tipione (Sea Gull), which takes up pipis, and then flies down to look for the fish. This is all.

10

PAPERS RELATIVE TO THE

A.—No. 7.

Reply by Captain Brassey to the Chiefs of "Wanganui and Rangitikei. Chiefs, —It is but little I have to say to you. By direction of the Governor and of Major Atkinson I was ordered to occupy Pipiriki, to keep possession of it at all risks ; I have done so, and would have done so had five thousand instead of the miserable five hundred who came up against me and my men been here. I appeal to the chiefs, Mete Kingi, Hori Kingi, and others, that no act of theft or outrage has been committed against any Native of Pipiriki. I perfectly agree with my friends as to Pehi Turoa, he is a traitor, who, if caught, should most certainly be hanged—made an example to all traitor Hau Haus. Of the other chiefs, of the leaders of this taua, against Tophini, Tahana, Topia, and others of Taranaki, of Taupo, of Waikato, I will not hold so bad an opinion, they never having taken the oath of allegiance to the Queen. As regards the graveyards on Cemetry Hill, I am sorry to have been obliged to occupy them, but the Hau Haus first took possession of them, and the safety of my people was concerned in the affair. Te Mawae. —Listen to this you Europeans and also you Maories, this is what I wish to do. I wish to do honor to the bravery of my valiant friend Captain Brassey. My love to the Pakehas who have been living at Pipiriki is very great, because of the murdering done by Pehi Turoa. But do not feel dark, O Captain Brassey, because I went away to the Weraroa. The Q-eneral left the Weraroa to stand, and for that reason I went. The Weraroa has fallen, and I have this day come back to you. We will sband up together at Pipiriki to fight against the Hau Haus. I will never agree to make peace with this evil tribe —the Hau Hau, but rather let them come to me as prisoners. I will not agree to make peace with them as free men ; only as slaves will we make peace with them. Te Ratana, Rangitikei. —I salute you my European friends. Ido not belong to this river; but when I heard of the traitorous conduct of Pehi Turoa my heart was very dark. We said to the Governor, we will go to the relief of Pipiriki; the Governor said you have Hau Haus in your own district, you had better go and defend your own homes at Rangitikei. "We could not bear to think that you were being murdered, so we left our wives and children, and came up to see you my European friends. Salutations. Kawaka Hunia. —This is the Ngatiapa. This tribe has not been engaged in any fight. I have (i. c., my tribe has) not seen this river since the days of my ancestors. The law of the Queen has now brought me up. The Hau Haus of the tribes are collecting in one body; let the men of the Queen also collect at this time. Listen to this my European friends, also let the edge of the Governor's sword go forth throughout the land to put out of sight the evil people. The good parts of the country take in winter —Rangitikei; the bad part of the country let it be taken in summer. This is all. * No. 3. His Excellency the Governor to the Right Hon. the Secretaey op State fob the Colokies. Sic,— "Weraroa Pa, Saturday, 22nd July, 1865. I have the honor to report for your information that Her Majesty's Forces, European and Native, at daylight this morning took possession of the Weraroa Pa. The enemy escaped yesterday evening, leaving fifty prisoners in our hands. No casualty whatever took place on our side. The events which led to this capture were as follows — Brigadier-General Waddy consented, as detailed in the enclosed letters, to establish a post of 400 men of the regular troops, about 900 yards from the fortress, to afford Her Majesty's Colonial Forces and Natives the moral support they were certain to derive from the presence of British Troops in front of the place. He further undertook to order a detachment of Artillery to the front, to take part if necessary in the operations which Her Majesty's Colonial Troops were about to undertake. These forces consisted of the following officers and men:—2s Wanganui Cavalry, 139 Forest and Bush Rangers, 109 Native (contingent), about 200 efficient friendly Natives, and some old men. Total, 473. Late on the night of Wednesday, the 19th, intelligence was received of the very critical position on which the force under Captain Brassey, at Pipiriki, was placed, although the full extent of the danger was not then known. It was evidently necessary to act as rapidly as possible with regard to the Weraroa Pa, as until that place had fallen it was impossible to detach any sufficient force to rescue the garrison at Pipiriki. Upon considering the position and defences of the Weraroa Pa, in so far as these could be ascertained, it was manifest that a fatal error of judgment had been committed in the construction of the pa, through which, if the assailants availed themselves of it, the defenders of the pa, if they did not escape at a very early period of the operations, must probably be nearly all captured or starved or destroyed, with little or no loss to the assailing party. The pa was constructed on a high point of land formed' by the junction of the Koie stream and the Waitotara river ; both of these streams ran through very deep precipitous valleys, but with tolerably broad level open bottoms. The front of the pa formed as it were the base of a triangle, one end of which rested on the Koie stream, the other on the Waitotara river. Where two other faces of the pa ran along these streams precipitous or very steep banks, of the height of probably three hundred feet, fell abruptly from the pa down into the valleys of the two rivers. The valley of Koie was about five hundred yards wide. The pa stood on its left bank, and on the left bank also of the Waitotara river. On the right bank of the Koie stream was a precipitous wooded ridge of the same height or rather higher than that on_ which the pa stood. This ridge on the right bank of the stream ran out much farther than that on its left bank, from its running into a bend in the Waitotara river. The right bank of the Koie stream, which afforded excellent cover for riflemen, thus commanded not only a great part of the pa and the banks under it, which ran along its own proper valleys, but also, to some extent, that part of the pa and the banks under it which ran along the Waitotara river.

11

CAPTURE OF THE WERAROA PA.

A.—No. 7.

The remaining portion of this part of the pa was entirely commanded by a point of land which jutted out from the left bank of the Waitotara river, lower down the stream than the pa. The front of the pa, which ran across from left bank to left bank of the two streams, stood at the head of a gentle slope which fell gradually away from the pa for a distance of more than a thousand yards, when the ground began gradually again to rise gently. This face of the pa was very strongly fortified. It was evidently anticipated that the attack would be made here, and the pa was constructed on the principle of a desperate defence on this side by a garrison perfectly protected by palisaded rifle pits, and of a speedy and secure escape from the rear of the pa. It was probably not apprehended that any force would attempt to advance through the valleys of either of the streams along which the pa was built, as these were completely commanded by the high banks along which the faces of the pa ran, whilst the droppingfire which would have been poured from above would soon have almost annihilated any body of men that had tried to force their way along those valleys. The road from the pa to the interior of the country led across the Koie stream, and up the Karaka range on the other side of that stream, through the forest and potatoe and kumara fields, from which the supplies for the garrison of the fortress were drawn, and was the line along which any reinforcement coming to the pa must advance. On the Karaka ridge the Natives had constructed a small redoubt to cover their retreat, but their rear was left quite open to favor their retreat and the ingress of supplies and reinforcements. All this was fully explained to me on the ground, from whence, as it was peculiarly favorable for a reconnaisance, much of what was explained could be pointed out and seen, by natives who knew the country well, and especially by Hori Kerei, my native orderly, to whose father the Karaka range had belonged, and who had been brought up there as a boy. It was evident that the constructors of the Weraroa Pa had never contemplated that a force would pass through several miles of a dense forest and a most difficult country, to occupy the heights of the Karaka in their rear, and that if a force once got to the Karaka, that the precipitous banks and cliffs which favored the escape of the Natives from a force in front, would render it almost impossible for them to escape down such places and across such open valleys by daylight, as they would be exposed to a heavy fire during their whole descent, from a force lying hid on the other side of the valleys, and by night ambushes being laid in the valleys, they would probably be captured or destroyed if they then attempted to escape. I determined therefore to occupy these heights by surprise, by a force if possible strong enough to repel any sortie from the pa (which would be threatened by us in front), and also strong enough to repulse or capture any reinforcements that might be coming up. I determined also immediately more troops came up, to occupy the point over the Waitotara river on our left, which commanded the other face of the pa. The defenders of the place would then have been completely shut in, and being continually harrassed by a fire from rifles in their rear and on their left flank, and from guns and mortars in their front, whilst we had taken possession of and used their supplies, must have yielded. At two o'clock on the morning of Thursday the 20th, having decided on this plan of attack, I sent for Mr. Parris, the Interpreter, and explained it to him, and desired him to wake up the Native chiefs and the officers of the Native Contingent, and explain it to them, that they might arrange amongst themselves in detail the parts they were respectively to take in it, and to inform them that I expected Lieut.-Colonel Trevor, commanding the 14th Regiment, on the ground early the next morning, with a detachment of 100 men of the 14th, and shortly afterwards a detachment of 100 men of the 18th Regiment, and that, when these men arrived, the whole of Her Majesty's Colonial and Native force, with the exception of a few friendly Natives, would, in pursuance of this plan, march to occupy the Karaka heights. Mr. Parris, to whose indefatigable exertions I have been more indebted during the last few days than I can well say, explained to the Natives the proposed plan of operations, and soon after daylight came to tell me that they unanimously agreed in its soundness, had arranged for the execution of its details amongst themselves, and were quite delighted at the prospect. I next saw Captain McDonell, commanding the Native Contingent, on the subject, and sent for Major Yon Tcmpsky, who commanded the Forest Rangers, and would have commanded the force which was to march to the Karaka heights to explain his duties in the affair to him. Unfortunately this valuable officer had in the night been seized with a violent attack of illness, and sent to say he could not move from his bed. This was a great disappointment, but I sent for Major Rookes, who was in command of the militia forces of the district, and directed him to give the necessary orders for the occupation of the Karaka heights by the forces I have mentioned. Major Rookes under the difficulty which had arisen from Major Yon Tempsky's illness, which left no officer of rank to command the force proceeding to the Karaka heights, most greatly to his credit, himself undertook this command. The force was ordered to march at half-past twelve, by which hour I calculated that 200 men of the regular troops would be on the ground. Just as this force was about to start, Pehimana, the head chief of the pa, who had come over to us, stated that there were 600 men in the pa. This was an evident exaggeration, but it proved a source of great embarrassment and anxiety throughout the operations, on account of the small force before the fortress. Lieut.-Colonel Trevor, with 100 men of the 14th, arrived very early on the Thursday morning, and immediately pitched his tents opposite the left of the pa, distant about 1300 yards from it, and between the camps of the Natives and of the Forest Rangers. At about 10 a.m. Captain Noblett, of the 18th, with 100 men of that regiment, arrived on the ground, having come up from Waitotara much more rapidly than I thought practicable, and under Lieut.-Col. Trevor's orders pitched his tents on the left rear of those of the 14th. At half-past 12, Her Majesty's Colonial and Native Forces under Major Rookes' command, paraded near the Native Camp, out of sight of the pa, and moved off for the Karaka heights, by a road which was not exposed to view from the pa. Throughout the whole day it rained very heavily, a circumstance which greatly increased the chance of our force seizing the Karaka heights by surprise, although it much inconvenienced the men.

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A.—No. 7.

It should be stated to the credit of the Forest Bangers that many of them had, from the scarcity of supplies, received no rations that day, and that it was doubtful if any could be obtained to send after them ; yet, that notwithstanding the heavy rain and cold, they started on a long and most difficult march with the greatest alacrity and cheerfulness, expressing their willingness to encounter any privations or hardships if there was work to do. The Forest Hangers were under the command of Captain George ; the Native Contingent, under Captain McDonell; the friendly Natives under their several Chiefs. The whole under the command of Major Eookes reached the Karaka heights at 6 1 p.m. after dark. From the time the Colonial Forces left, with the exception of a few friendly Natives, the regular troops, two hundred in number, under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Trevor, were the only force in front of the pa. "Without the presence of this force the operations could not have been carried on. Nothing could have surpassed the zeal and energy of Lieut.-Colonel Trevor, and to his cordial co-operation and advice on several occasions much of the success which followed must be attributed. The officers and men of the regular troops all exhibited the greatest alacrity and interest in what was going on; and although but little of actual movement fell to their share, without their presence and without the cordial energetic assistance they gave nothing could have been done. These arrangements were all undoubtedly defective in one point of view—the whole of a small force was broken into two weak fragments neither of which could have supported the other, but the tents of the forces which marched to the Karaka were left standing in front of the pa to make our force look as large as possible, and the critical position of Captain Brassey and his small force, at Pipiriki, made it necessary to risk a great deal, and I think that no risk greater than what ought under such circumstances to have been run was incurred. In the afternoon of the 20th supplies came up from the rear, and Natives enough were with difficulty secured to carry 180 pounds of biscuit to the force on the Karaka heights, a very small allowance for so many hungry men. I however knew that the next morning they would obtain on the Karaka heights, the supplies intended for the pa. At daybreak on the morning of the 21st (Friday) we heard a few dropping shots from the Karaka, and afterwards distant cheers from our men; we knew therefore that they had gained their position, and hoped that some success had taken place. The natives in the pa were evidently in great confusion and surprise. At about 10 o'clock Captain Ross arrived from the Karaka, after a rapid march of an hour and a quarter by a short line from that place. He came with only three men. He brought the enclosed report from Major Eookes, and the news that they had occupied the Karaka heights, and had taken fifty prisoners, fifty stand of arms, and two kegs of powder. The prisoners were a reinforcement which had arrived to aid in the defence of the pa. Amongst them were several leading chiefs, and it seems probable that some of the men from the East Coast were implicated in Mr. Volkner's murder. Major Eookes applied by Captain Eoss for an escort of eighty men to take charge of the prisoners, as the care of them so weakened his small force that he could undertake but little. With difficulty forty of the friendly Natives were spared for this purpose, and Lieut.-Colonel Trevor ordered forty men ot the 11th, under Ensign Churchward, to proceed on this duty. This with our small forces was a most important assistance, but it weakened too much our force (of now only about 170 men) in front of the pa; but the critical position of Captain Brassey rendered this necessary. The friendly chiefs left in the camp were so much alarmed at the position in which they were now left, that it was necessary in order to reassure them to get even a small reinforcement up as rapidly as possible. Lieut.-Colonel Trevor, therefore sent to Nukumaru for 50 men of the 14th, and to Waitotara for 50 men of the 18th, no more could be spared from these places. The 200 men of the regular troops who were to come from Wanganui had not arrived, but after consultation with Lieut.-Colonel Trevor, it was determined to go on with the plan of operations. Major Eookes was therefore instructed by the enclosed letter to begin to harrass the people in the pa by rifle shots fired by picked men, and to lay ambuscades at night; whilst at daybreak next morning Lieut.-Colonel Trevor would make a sham attack on the pa, to enable Major Eookes to take Pirikama on his side, whilst the friendly Natives on our side seized the position on our left over the Waitotara river, which would comjjletely shut the pa in, and would have left the Natives but little hope of escape. I believe if our force had been but a little larger, very few of the Natives could have got away. I became so anxious to hurry on the capture of the place, from intelligence that I again at this time received of the critical position of Captain Brassey and his force at Pipiriki, that I wrote to the officer in command at Patea a letter, a copy of which is enclosed, begging that a further reinforcement of 200 men might be sent from that place. A report was now received that the guns and mortars had arrived from Wanganui at Waitotara, and bullocks and horses were sent to drag them up. They would reach the camp before the pa about mid-day the next day, when within a few hours the natives must have surrendered. Shortly before sunset a dropping fire of a few rifles was heard from the Karaka height on the pa. This soon created great confusion in the place and it was evident that parts of the pa were more commanded from the heights than could have been hoped for, at the same time the picquets for night duty happened to be fallen in and marched to the front. The dropping fire went on ; the Natives in the pa probably believed that the troops were forming for a night attack. The confusion in the pa was now very great. Natives could be seen running about seeking for shelter, and some movement was evidently going on. Lieutenant-Colonel Trevor, as I have stated, when our force was so reduced by sending away escorts for the prisoners, had ordered up a detachment of 40 men of the 14th, from Nukumaru, and of 50 men of the 18th, from Waitotara. These detachments arrived with great alacrity, and when Major Bocke, 18th Eegiment, arrived in command of the detachment from Waitotara, it was reported that from a redoubt which commanded a view of the rear of the pa, at a distance of a few miles, they had seen with a telescope, before sunset, numbers of Natives escaping down the cliffs and precipitous banks at the point which still remained open to them, with bundles, evidently escaping from the place. D

13

CAPTURE OP THE WEIIAROA PA.

A.—No. 7.

At about half-past 1 at night, Captain Ross came over from the Karaka with a report that a Native had come into their camp from the pa, and told them that the people had evacuated it. At daylight next morning, the friendly Natives took possession of it, and it was immediately afterwards occupied by Lieut.-Colonel Trevor, and a party of the 14th Regiment, who now hold it. Major Rookes, of Her Majesty's Colonial Forces, who volunteered to command the party which marched to occupy the Karaka heights, deserves the highest credit for the courage, ability, and zeal with which he executed that march, under circumstances of great difficulty, and for the energetic and successful manner in which he carried on the operations after he got the heights. Upon his promptitude and energy the success of the whole affair mainly lies. Major Rookes informed me that the conduct of Captain McDonell is especially deserving of notice, for distinguished gallantry and energy. He also spoke in high terms of the conduct of Captain George, commanding the Forest Rangers, on this occasion, and of the good conduct of the officers and men of his corps. Major Rookes also praised highly the conduct of Captain Ross, his Adjutant. The Colonial Government will, I am sure, do full justice to the claims of those officers and men who have established such strong claims on the gratitude of the Colony. The conduct of Her Majesty's Colonial forces on this occasion could not for either daring or endurance have been surpassed. The conduct of the Native Chiefs, especially of Haimona, Te Kepa, Epiha, Aperaniko, and Karehana, and of the Natives, deserves the highest praise, and will, I have no doubt, be amply recognised by the Colonial Government. # # * #■# # # * # I have, &c, The Secretary of State for the Colonies. G. Grey. Enclosure 1 to No. 3. Major Rookes to Lieut.-Colonel Tbevoe. Sir, — Position in rear of the Weraroa, 21st July, 1865. I have the honor to report that after a long and toilsome march of six hours, we arrived at the Karaka last night. In the course of the night I requested the Native Chief Haimona to send spies into a kainga, who returned reporting that they found no one there, but as there was a doubt, I directed the following detail to march at half-past 4 this morning, and endeavour to surprise and capture it, which was done, fifty prisoners taken, a like number of arms, and two kegs of ammunition. Captain McDonell, who commanded this force, deserves the greatest credit for the very able manner in which he has performed this important duty. The Kupapas, under their Chiefs, and the Native Contingent, are deserving of your notice. I purpose, if possible, sending the prisoners in. We are entrenching ourselves but slowly, from a deficiency of tools. Lieut. Ross will explain everything to you. I have, &c, Lieut.-Colonel Trevor, 14th Regiment, Cecil Rookes. Commanding Field Force before Weraroa Pa. Enclosure 2 to No. 3. Major Gray to Major Rookes. Sin,— Before Weraroa Pa, 21st July, 1865. I am desired by His Excellency the Governor to inform you that he has read with great satisfaction your letter to Lieut.-Colonel Trevor, in which you report that the force under your command had taken up an important position, and captured fifty Native prisoners. Captain McDonell and the officers under his command, together with the Native chiefs engaged in this affair, shall be brought by His Excellency prominently under the notice of the Colonial Government. I have, &c, W. R. Gray, Major Rookes, &c. Major, A.D.C. . Enclosure 3 to No. 3. Major Gray to Major Rookes. Sic, — Before Weraroa Pa, 21st July, 1865. I have the honor by direction of His Excellency the Governor, to request you will send in your prisoners to-morrow morning. It will be necessary for you to augment the force of forty men who are to be sent to conduct the prisoners into camp, by 50 of the Kupapas under your command. I have, &c, W. R. Gray, Major Rookes, &c. Major, A.D.C. Enclosure 4 to No. 3. His Excellency the Governor to Lieut.-Colonel Trevor. Sir, — Before the Weraroa Pa, 21st July, 1865. In reference to the report of Major Rookes, regarding the capture of fifty Native prisoners, I have the honor to state that from the small force at his disposal, he is unable to furnish an escort to the friendly Natives who are about to convey to him supplies, and to bring back the prisoners. Under these circumstances of serious emergency, I trust that you will furnish a party of forty men, with a due proportion of officers and non-commissioned officers, to act as an escort to the friendly Natives, who are all well armed. I have, &c, Lieut.-Colonel Trevor, Commanding 14th Regiment. G. Grey.

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PAPERS RELATIVE TO THE

A.—No. 7.

Enclosure 5 to No. 3. W. R. Geat, Major, A.D.C., to the D. A. A.-Geijeeal, "Wanganui. Sib,— Before the Weraroa Pa, 21st July, 1865. I have the honor, by direction of His Excellency the Governor, to state for the information of the Brigadier-General commanding, that, as it is possible that an attack may be made on this camp to-night by the Weraroa natives, to revenge themselves for 50 men who were going to reinforce them, but were taken prisoners by our friendly Natives early this morning, His Excellency has requested Lieutenant-Colonel Trevor to order to this camp, to remain until to-morrow, 30 men from the Nukumaru Redoubt, and 50 from the Waitotara. An escort of 40 men of the 2nd battalion, 14th Eegiment, having been sent to bring in the prisoners, the force in camp is reduced to 150 men, 50 of whom are on outlying piquet. I have, &c, W. E. Gbat, The D. A. A. General, "Wanganui. Major, A.D.C. Enclosure 6 to No. 3. His Excellency the Govebstob to Colonel Weabe. Sib, — Before the pa, "Weraroa, 21st July, 1865. I have the honor to state that a critical state of affairs now prevails throughout the whole of the "Wanganui district, which renders it essential that the force here should be increased with as little delay as possible. I therefore beg that you will order 200 men with a due proportion of officers from the force under your command to march for this place with all convenient despatch, here to place themselves under the command of Brigadier-General Waddy, who I expect immediately to arrive, but with whom I have had no opportunity of communicating since I received the intelligence which has led me to write this letter to you. I have, &c, Colonel "Weare, 50th Eegiment, commanding at Patea. G. Gbet. Enclosure 7 to No. 3. Major "W. E. Geat to the D. A. A. General. Sib, — Before the Weraroa Pa, 21st July, 1865. By direction of His Excellency the Governor, I have the honor to enclose a copy of a letter sent this day to Colonel "Weare requesting that he would order 200 men from the force under his command to march ;or this place with all convenient despatch, and I am to state that in consequence of the bad news received from Pipiriki, His Excellency considered this step imperatively necessary as these men are required here to take the place of a large number of friendly Natives whose presence is urgently required up the Wanganui river. I have, &c, W. E. Geat. The D.A.A. General, Wanganui. Major, A.D.C. Enclosure 8 to No. 3. His Excellency the Goyeenob to Major Eookes. Mt deab Sib, — In front of Weraroa Pa, 21st July, 1865. I hear from Captain Eoss that you have still another pa on your side to take; to enable you to do this, we shall make a sham attack on the main pa of Weraroa from this side to-morrow morning at daylight, and seize a position ourselves. I wish you continued success. McDonell has acted splendidly. Truly yours, G. Gbet. P.S. —I rely on your having picked shots to give them no peace by day, and ambuscades well planted every night, so that nothing can get in or out in safety. Major Eookes, in rear of Weraroa Pa. Enclosure 9 to No. 3. Major Eookes to His Excellency the Govebnob. Mt deab Sib Geobge,— The Weraroa is yours. Captain Eoss, my Adjutant, will explain the rest. Tours very faithfully, Cecil Eookes. 10 p.m, 21st July, 1865. Enclosure 10 to No. 3. Sic,— Weraroa Pa, 22nd July, 1865. I have been directed by His Excellency the Governor to request that you return with the guns and mortars to Waitotara. They are not now required here, the Weraroa Pa being occupied by the troops. I have, &c, The Officer in charge of the Party advancing with W. R. Geat, guns from Waitotara. Major A.D.C. Enclosure 11 to No. 3. Sic,— Before Weraroa Pa, 22nd July, 1865. I am directed by His Excellency the Governor to request that you will march your men back to your station at the Patea. The Weraroa Pa having surrendered, an augmentation of this force is now unnecessary. I have, &c, The Officer commanding Troops on march from Patea to Weraroa. W. E. Gbat. Major, A.D.C.

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CAPTURE OE THE WERAROA PA.

A.—No. 7.

Enclosure 12 to No. 3. His Excellency the Govebnob to Lieut.-Colonel Teevoe. Sib, — • Weraroa Pa, 22nd July, 1865. I have the honor to request you will furnish a sufficient escort to proceed from this to "VVaitotara with the Native prisoners, and from thence to Wanganui by steamer. I have, &c, Lieut.-Coloiiel Trevor, 14th .Regiment, commanding at Weraroa. G. Grey. Enclosure 13 to No. 3. The Governor begs to express to Major Bookes, commanding Militia and Volunteers, Wanganui District, his sincere thanks for the gallantry and enterprise which he exhibited throughout the operations against the Weraroa Pa. To the conduct of the party under the immediate command of Major Eookes the success of these operations is to be almost entirely attributed. Major Eookes will be good enough to inform the Officers and men of the Colonial Forces, and the Chiefs and Natives, that nothing could have surpassed their good conduct and gallantry. The Governor thanks them all warmly for their services, and will bring their merits in detail under the notice of the Colonial Government. By command, W. E. Gbat, Wanganui, 23rd July, 1865. Major A.D.C. Enclosure 14 to No. 3. His Excellency the Govebnob to Brigadier-General Waddy. Sic,— Wanganui, 23rd July, 1865. As I am about to embark this morning for Wellington I cannot write to you at such length as I should wish, but I cannot leave this place without expressing my thanks to you for the invaluable aid you have afforded me, by assisting me during the last few days to the extent that your instructions allowed. The aid you thus gave most materially conduced to the speedy capture of the pa, a point of the utmost importance to attain whilst Captain Brassey and his party were in such danger at Pipiriki. Lieut.-Colonel Trevor, of the 14th Eegiment, with a detachment of 100 men of that regiment, first arrived on the ground on the morning of the 25th inst. Lieut.-Colonel Trevor and the officers and men of the 14th afforded every assistance in their power. Lieut.-Colonel Trevor was throughout in command of the troops ; he acted with the greatest energy, and afforded on every occasion the most valuable advice and aid. A little later, Captain Noblett, of the 18th, with one hundred men of that Eegiment, very opportunely arrived, having made a very rapid march, and he, together with the officers and men of the 18th, gave every assistance in their power. On the evening of the 21st a further detachment of thirty men of the 14th, under Captain Furneaux, and a detachment of fifty men of the 18th, under Major Eocke, arrived on the ground. The officers and men of which detachments also afforded every aid in their power. Brigadier-General Waddy, C.8., I have, &c, Commanding Field Force. G. Geey.

16

PAPEIIS RELATIVE TO CAPTURE OF THE WERAROA PA.