D-No. 16a

No. 1. THE RESIDENT MAGISTRATE, MONGONUI, TO THE RESIDENT MAGISTRATE, KERI KERI. Circuit Court, Mongonui, January 7th, 1861. Sir,— On Saturday, the sth inst., a person named Whareoneone, from Kaikohi, I believe, but it is said from Hokianga, went to Mr. Wells's house at Oruru, and took a little girl, 4 years old, daughter of Thomas Page and a native woman, to whom he was married by Mr. Matthews. It appears that some 20 years ago one Joseph May lived with a woman at Whahapu, Bay of Islands; from there he went to Waimate, and about 18 years since Wi Repa took a taua, and demanded payment from May, which was ultimately given—a silver watch, new ;£5 cash, and a quantity of trade. After this May and the woman went to reside at the Awanui, passing through Hokianga, and no claim was made upon him. May died at Awanui, and the widow married Thomas Page : he had two children by her, the first died, and the second has been taken as above stated. The mother is dead, but no claim was ever made on the part of the natives until Whareoneone walked into Wells's place during his absence, took up the child and galloped off with it. I happened to go to Oruru on Saturday, and arrived about half-an-hour after the occurrence. I immediately proceeded to Pokonga, where I understood they had gone. On my arrival I informed Whareoneone that he had done wrong in talcing a child in that way, and advised him to give the child back again ; but he was very insolent to me, telling me I might send a force to fight, but he would not give up the child. I would therefore request you to use your influence with the Chiefs of this man's place to make him restore the child, and punish him for tho act as well as for his insolence. Being a stranger to me, and by myself at the time, I could take no steps whatever in the matter beyond advising the man to restore the child. I have, &c. W. B. White, J. R. Clendon, Resident Magistrate, Resident Magistrate, Keri Keri.

No. 2. THE RESIDENT MAGISTRATE, MONGONUI, TO THE CHIEFS OF AHIPARA AND HOKIANGA. Circuit Court, Mongonui, January 7th, 1861. Mi Friends, — I take the opportunity of this mail leaving for Ahipara to inform you that a person from Hokianga, or Koikoi, went to William Wells's house at Oruru, on Saturday, during the absence of the man, and took from there Thomas Page's child, carrying her off to Pokonga. I happened to be at Oruru shortly after and went up to see this man, whose name is Whareoneone. He claims to be a relation of the mother. You know that she lived in 1840-41 with Joseph May, at Whahapu. He took her to Waimate about 18 years ago ; Repa went with a taua and demanded payment ;it was given by May—a watch, £5 in cash, anil a quantity of trade. Then May and this woman came to live at Kaitaia and Awanui ; then May died. Thomas Page was married to the widow, by Mr. Matthews, seven or eight years ago. They had two children ; the first died the second has just been taken from the protection of Wells, where the father left her. This is a very serious offence : they can have no right to take the child. I therefore write to you to use your influence that the man may return this child, to be brought up as the father directs. Whareoneone was very insolent to me, and I look to you to make the man pay for his insolence to the law and me. Your friend, W. B. White. The Chiefs of Ahipara and Hokianga, at Ahipara.

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