PAPERS RELATIVE TO THE INTERRUPTION OF THE SURVEY OF CONFISCATED LANDS AT PATEA.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1867 Session I, A-22

A.—No. 22.

PAPERS RELATIVE TO THE INTERRUPTION OF THE SURVEY OF CONFISCATED LANDS AT PATEA.

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

WELLINGTON.

1867.

A.—No. 22

No. 1. Copy of a Letter from Lieutenant-Colonel McDonnell to Captain Holt. (No. 17-1.) ' Sib,— Patea, 18th July, 18G7. I have the honor to forward, for the information of Government, the enclosed copies of letters received from Mr. Carrington, about six p.m. on the 16th instant. Immediately on receiving the information that the surveyors had been sent back by the Natives I determined to proceed to Oika at once, and accordingly directed the whole force in camp to parade at eight p.m., and asked Mr. Sergeant to endeavour to get forty volunteers from the Local Militia to hold the camp and protect the stores in my absence. I have much pleasure in stating that my call for men was most cheerfully complied ■with, and by seven o'clock the number required had paraded, and the guards were relieved. 1 put Captain Ross in command of the Local Militia, with Ensigns Sergeant, and Nowlan. At about halfpast eight p.m. I paraded my men —strength as per margin,* and proceeded with Mr. Booth to cross the Patea River, the tide was about full, and a fresh in the river ; it took some time to get men, horses, and a cart across, but as every one worked most willingly all difficulties were ultimately overcome. 1 then marched on to the Whenuakura, putting a light boat on the cart, and immediately on arriving commenced to get the men and provisions across ; as the boat only held six men and two to row, this this was a work of some time, the river being very rapid; however, by one a.m. on the 17th everything was across. I met Mr. Wray and his surveyors here, he was waiting instructions from Patea. I directed his surveying implements to be put on the cart and he and his assistants to accompany the force back to Oika, where we arrived about half-past two p.m. After disposing the force so as to completely command the village, I went, accompanied by Mr. Booth, Resident Magistrate, and Captain dimming (unarmed), with a mounted orderly to the village, leading our horses, and leaving Captain Newland in command of the men, with instructions that in the event of my giving a signal he would at once come to our assistance. We got to the centre of the village without being heard, and found the Natives all asleep ; the principal men were all in a tent, and I had to knock and call before they heard us. Tlht asked us in, and after entering the lent, I said I wished to know their reasons for sending the surveyors back; their reply was, that no surveys would be permitted by them from the south bank of the Patea River to the Waitotara. I repeated the question, and received the same answer. I replied that I regretted their having sent the surveyors back as it gave unnecessary trouble, but, that I was determined the surveyors should begin in the morning. I then crossed the river (Whenuakura) with Captain Cumming, to see Tito Kowaru and his people, leaving Mr. Booth, Resident Magistrate, with the orderly to talk to the Natives and keep them engaged during our absence. I had a long conversation with Tito Kowaru, and two or three other chiefs, and I told them how vexed I was at the conduct of the Pakakohi in sending the surveyors back, and that I had returned with them, accompanied by 100 men to enforce the work, if required. He asked me if I had seen the Pakakohi, I said " Yes, and that Mr. Booth, Resident Magistrate, was now with them waiting for my return, and that they knew nothing of the men being so close, I had come to let him know first, that the Pakakohi might thank him, I had not taken them all prisoners for their temerity in sending the surveyors back, after what they had been told." Tito Kowaru replied, " I have advised them (as you and Mr. Booth know) to allow the survey to proceed, without hindrance, but they would not listen to me ; however, as you return, do not forget they sent the. surveyors back in the daylight, and did not hurt any one or seize anything." I said, "that was in their favour," and promised to think of it as I went back. We then wished him and his people good night, and recrossed-the river. On arriving at the tent, where I had left Mr. Booth, he told me he had had a long talk with the Natives, and they were all firm in their purpose of opposing the survey, but had not the slightest suspicion of any force near the place. I then tried to convince them of their tolly, but to no purpose; so I told them we had brought the surveyors back with us, and in the morning they would commence work. We rose up and intimated our intention of breakfasting with them, and that wo were not going far. I gave my ring as a token that I should return with Captain Cumming in the morning ; the principal man (Rurangi) who ordered the surveyors back, said he would go to Patea with us. I told him we were not going back to Patea, but on the hill to sleep till daylight ; he said " we will go together," so we went. Captain Cumming had a five minutes start, and upon arriving at the summit of the hill (about 250 yards from the village), our force started up to receive us, and as the moon was shining brightly, the sudden appearance of so many armed men had a most startling effect on Rurangi. I led him through the men, and he sat down, evidently assuming as much composure as possible, and after a five minutes * Staff: — Lieutenant-Colonel McDonnell, commanding ; Captain dimming, Adjutant, and Assistant-Surgeon Slither. No. 1 Company Volunteer Militia: —Captain Newland and Lieutenant Fooks ; Sergeants, 3; Corporal, 1 ; Bugler, 1; Privates, 41. ~No. 2 Company Volunteer Militia :—Ensign, Ton Hotter; Sergeants, 3 ; Corporals, 2 ; Sugler, 1. Privates : —Nos. 8 and 10 Company Taranaki Military Settlers : —Privates, 4. Patea Eangers ; —Ensign Nortlicroft. Native Contingent : —Privates, 2. Total, 99 Non-commissioned officers and men.

PAPERS RELATIVE TO THE INTERRUPTION OF THE SURVEY OF CONFISCATED LANDS AT PATEA.

A.—No. 22,

silence said, "I, for one, give up ; I have finished ; I oppose the survey no more after this ; I see it is useless." This he repeated in the morning, in the presence of the Pakakohi. About eight o'clock in the morning Mr. Booth, myself, and Captain Cumming, accompanied by about forty men (the latter at the special wish of Euaraugi), returned to the village. As we were going down the hill Tito Kowaru and his tribe marched oft. I inquired for Te One, to whom I had given the ring (this man is a brother of Whare Matangi, who is absent up the coast). The reply was, "He has gone away, as he could not face the force." I inquired for my ring, when his wife handed it to me. I told the Natives I was very angry at his not being there as it showed a want of trust. He had promised to meet me and had failed to perform what he had said he would do. Had I wished to kill or capture any one I could have done so, as they must see ; but I had taken into consideration their having simply ordered the surveyors to return, without further molesting them; this WM bad enough, but had they acted otherwise, my course would have been very different. A Native (Wepu) took me on one side and said, " Send your men away and To One will come back and see you." I said, "Oh! he want's to murder, does he, that he wishes to see me by myself." The men returned, and Te One made his appearance. He and the other Natives were then told that the force would remain, but that Mr. Booth and myself would return to Patea; they said, " No, stay;" but we rose, and proceeded to return, and were ascending the hill, when they ran after us, and said, " Let tho surveyors remain, there is no occasion for the force, will you let them return ? " This was assented to. The Pakakohi present said, "Do not ask us to give our consent to the surveys, as we protested against them ; on that point we are silent, but we promise not to interfere or further molest tho work." This was all that was required of them, so I directed the force to march home, and the Natives at once offered to sell provisions, potatoes, &c, and invited the surveyors to camp in their Tillage. I have much pleasure in bringing to the special notice of the Government tho manner in which I was supported by the whole of the officers, non-commissioned officers, and men, composing the expedition, and it was chiefly owing to their untiring exertions that I was enabled to reach Oika by night and completely surprise the Natives. The conduct of Lance-Corporal O'llalloran (in charge of the mounted men) on this and several other occasions was so praiseworthy that I have (subject to the approval of Government) promoted him to be Corporal, and 1 trust this will be confirmed. Of tho zeal, energy, and activity displayed by Captain Cumming in assisting me to carry out what was intended I cannot speak too highly. It fully carries out the high character I have always heard to this officer, not only by his late comrades in Her Majesty's 57th Kcgiment, but by LieutenantColonel Lepper. I feel that it is quite useless in sa3 ring anything about him to the Government, I simply perform a pleasing duty in stating what I have done. Wharematangi has gone North, and, as I have heard, to sound the disposition of the "Warea Natives, and if he can get help he intended to oppose the surveys. He is expected back within a week, it is therefore my intention to retain the Native Contingent on pay until I hear further of his movements, unless disapproved of by the Government; this will enable me to avail myself of the services, at a moment's notice, of the force now at Patea. The volunteers from the Local Militia I dismissed on the day after my return, after thanking them for their promptitude in volunteering to assist me ; and I beg to bring their conduct to the notice of the Government. The numbers who volunteered are as per margin,* and they will be entitled to three days' pay each. I have, &c, Thos. McDomtell, Captain Holt, Under Secretary, • Lieutenant-Colonel, "Wellington. Commanding Colonial Forces, Patea District. P.S.-—I omitted to mention that as soon as I heard the surveyors were turned back from Oika I sent a messenger to recall Mr. "Wilson and his party from Hukateri, and before the force left Patea I had the satisfaction of seeing them arrive. They had not been molested. They returned to Hukateri on the 17th, immediately after I came back from Oika, and are now at work. Thos. McDosxell, Lieutenant-Colonel.

Enclosure in No. 1. Copy of a Letter from Mr. Caeeington to Lieutenant-Colonel McDonnell. Sib,— Survey Office, Patea, 530 p.m., 16th July, 1867. I have the honor to forward copy of letter, which I have just this moment received from Mr. Wray, and I have to request that you will have the goodness to take such steps as you may consider necessary. I beg also to inform you that Mr. "Wilson, with the other survey party, is now on tho left bank of the Patea, near Huketare, and intends starting the survey from that place the first thing in the morning. I have, &c, Lieutenant-Colonel McDonnell, Oct. Caeeington, Commanding Local Forces, Patea District. Chief Surveyor.

Sub-Enclosure in No. 1. Mr deaii Mb. Caeeington,— "Whenukura, 16th July, 18G7. lam sorry to say it has turned out as we feared. The Natives seem to me to be determined to stop the survey. I managed to get up near Oika, and proceeded to take the things out of the curt; however, the Natives now saw us, and sent three men and a woman to ask us what we wanted, and on getting their answer, immediately insisted on our returning to Patea to-night I had a look at tho • Patea Militia: —Captain Ross ; Ensigns Sergeant and Newland ; Sergeants, 3 ; Corporals, 4 ; Privates, 33. Total, 43.

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PAPERS RELATIVE TO INTERRUPTION OF

A.—No. 22.

village, and finding that there were a great number of Natives assembled, I should say upwards of 100 men and women, I thought perhaps 1 had better retire. They were very positive in their request that we should clear out. lam sending this by the carter, who knows a little Maori and interpreted. I have camped for the night at the Ferry, near the mouth of the Whenuakura. I suppose they will let us alone here. I have, &c, Chas. A. What.

No. 2. Copy of a Letter from the Hon. Colonel Haultain to Lieutenant-Colonel McDonnell. Sib,— 25th July, 18G7. I have the honor to acknowledge your letter No. 17, of the 18th July, reporting the steps you had taken to prevent the interruption of surveys between Patea and Whcineakura. I have to inform you that the Government have learnt, with much satisfaction, that you have succeeded in performing this very difficult task, without provoking collision with the Natives, who were opposed to it. You have, by your promptitude, courage, and good judgment, obtained important results with very limited means, and I have to convey the thanks of the Government to you and to Captain Gumming, and to the other officers and men who so zealously supported you. The promotion of Sergeant O'Halloran is approved ; but you must relieve the Native Contingent from duty, unless you should have ascertained that further opposition is threatened. T. M. Haultain.

No. 3. Copy of a Letter from Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell to Captain Holt. (No. 10-1.) Patea, 11th July, 18G7. Sib,— I have the honor to report, for the information of Government, that as the survey of the land between the Patea and Whenuakura Rivers commences to-morrow, I have deemed it necessary to make the following alterations in the disposal of the Colonial Forces in this district. I have brought from Waihi, Captain Newland, 1 sergeant, and 19 rank and file, V.M.; from Turu Turu Mokai, 1 subaltern, 1 sergeant, and 14 rank and tile; and from Mokoia, 1 sergeant and 14 rank and file, to Patea, making the total force here G officers and 110 men, all ranks. To replace these men, I have taken on pay from the 11th instant, Lieutenant Wirihana, Ensign Poma, 2 sergeants, 1 corporal, and 50 men, of the Native Contingent, and posted them at Waihi, Turu Turu Mokai, and Mokoia, and as it is absolutely necessary to have an experienced officer in command at Waihi, I have put Captain Pennefather on pay, and sent him to that post. I intended to place Captain McDonnell in command as he will bo in the district. Ho has promised to give every assistance in his power in any way, but as his wound is still so bad, he was afraid to undertake the command. Should no opposition be offered to the survey, of course the services of the Native Contingent can be dispensed with, and the force distributed as formerly ; but if the Natives oppose the survey, 1 must have more men. lam anxious to avoid calling out the Local Militia for duty, as I know it would do a great deal of harm to the district by driving away a number of settlers, and there are only about twenty more of the Native Contingent whose services would be available. I therefore trust the Government will see the absolute necessity for reinforcements in this district if active operations have to be commenced. Since my return from Wanganui I have written (according to promise) to Taurua, and requested him to come in and see me, but as he has not yet made his appearance, I fear there may be some mischief brewing. I have made the best arrangements in my power to prepare for tho worst, but 100 men moveable is far from sufficient to promptly and successfully chastise the Pakakohi. I have, &c, To Captain Holt, Tuos. McDonnell, Lieut.-Colonel, Under Secretary, Wellington. Commanding Colonial Forces, Patea District. P.S. —Since writing the above, a Native has come in and asked what I had written to Taurua for, and wished me to tell him what I had to say to Taurua in my note. 1 told him I wanted to inform Taurua the surveys would commence to-morrow. The Native replied, " Don't do it, the survey must not go across the river." The surveyors are going out to-morrow without covering parties, and if opposed, I will, if I think it at all practicable, go with my 100 men at night and surprise Putahi, but if I find or hear they are prepared, I certainly will not attempt it without a much larger force, as ten resolute men could hold the place against a hundred. In the event of my going out with the whole force, I will call out a sufficient number of the Local Militia to protect this post during my absence. Tuos. McDonnell, Lieut.-Colonel.

No. 4 Copy of a Letter from Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell to Captain Holt. (No. 21-1.) Patea, 20th July, 18G7. Sir — I have the honor to forward a copy of resolutions passed at a public meeting of the 2

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SURVEY OF CONFISCATED LANDS AT PATEA.

A.— No. 22

TVo. 50G-2, July 20, 1807.

inhabitants of Patea on the ISth instant, with a copy of my reply thereto, for the information of Government. I have, &c., To Captain Holt, Thos. McDonnell, Lieut.-Colonel, Under Secretary, Wellington. Commanding Colonial Forces, Patea District.

Enclosure 1 in No. 4. At a Public Meeting held at Mr. Campbell's Hotel, Patea, 18th July, 18G7, the following Resolutions were proposed, seconded, and carried nem. con. 1. Resolved, That this Meeting wishes to express its admiration of the promptitude and energy shown by Colonel McDonnell on the night of the 16th July, 1867, and also of the gallant manner in which the plans so ably conceived were conducted throughout by him (Colonel McDonnell) and the force of all ranks under his able command, which appears to this Meeting to have utterly paralyzed the disaffected Natives, and restored confidence to the settlers of this district 2. Resolved, That the Chairman be requested to sign the proceedings on behalf of the Meeting. R. Campheli., proposer. Gr. F. Max~son, seconder. 3. Beaolved, That the Chairman bo requested to forward the resolutions passed at this Meeting to Colonel McDonnell as soon as convenient. Daniel Beadshaw, Chairman.

Enclosure 2 in No. 4. Copy of a Letter from Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell to Mr. Bbadsiiaw. Deab Sir,— Patea, 20th July. 1887. I had much pleasure in receiving from you the resolutions passed by my fellow settlers at a Public Meeting held on the 18th instant, and of which you were Chairman, and I would be glad if you would convey to them my hearty thanks for their flattering expressions towards myself and the force under my command. We merely did on the occasion referred to —what, I trust, we ever will do — simply our duty ; and let me add, but for the highly praiseworthy manner in which you all came forward as volunteers for duty, I could not have been so successful in surprising and overawing the Natives. I trust I will not again have occasion to call upon you for duty, but, in the event of my having to do so, I feel confident that my call will be promptly responded to. And with my best wishes for the success of the Patea settlers. Believe me, dear Sir, Very truly yours, Thos. McDoircrEi.L, Lieut.-Colonel, Daniel Bradshaw, Esq., Patea. Commanding Colonial Forces, Patea District.

No. 5. Copy of a Letter from Mr. Cabringtox, to Captain Holt. Sib — Survey Office, Patea, 23rd July, 1867. I have the honor to report, for the information of the Honorable the Defence Minister, that notwithstanding the interruption the survey party met with from the Oika Natives on the 10th instant, I have now much pleasure in stating that, owing to the action taken by Lieutenant-Colonel McDonnell, the survey commenced on the following morning at the place where the surveyors were turned back. They are now proceeding with the work, and I trust will continue to do so without further annoyance. I have, &c, Capt. Holt, Under Secretary, Octavius Cahrixgtox", Colonial Defence Office, "Wellington. Chief Surveyor. 12th August.

No. 6. Copy of a Letter from Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell to Captain Holt. (No. 391.) Patea, Bth August, 18G7. Sir, — With reference to the last clause of the Honorable Colonel Haultain's letter, number and date as per margin, I have the honor to state, for the information of the Government, that the Volunteer Militia, brought from the several outposts to Patea on the 14th ultimo, have returned to their former quarters, and the Native Contingent were struck oft" pay from the Bth instant, inclusive. Captain Penuefather is struck off from the 9th. I have, &c, Capt. Holt, Under Secretary, Thos. MoDoHKEIX, Lieut.-Colonel, Colonial Defence Office, Wellington. Commmandiug Colonial Forces, Patea District.

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PAPERS RELATIVE TO INTERRUPTION OP SURVEY.