E.—No. 20

My own opinion is much in favor of this course being adopted after the troops have made a forward movement, as it would tend to dispel the doubt of our position ; and, moreover, a personal interview in Auckland with the Native Minister and the Governor, I am satisfied, would do more to satisfy the minds of the Chiefs than all the written communications which could be sent to them. I have taken the liberty to express my own views, as I have known these people for so many years that I am well informed of their views and feelings, and I am quite aware that overtures have been made to them secretly by the Waikato Chiefs ; and perhaps the indulgence of their wishes in this instance might be the means of saving much trouble and expense hereafter. Archdeacon Williams had heard of reports being circulated by Mr. Pirimona which excited the natives very much, and wrote to me asking me about it, and stating that his Lordship the Bishop would be much displeased at his conduct. I have sent the Archdeacon a copy of Pirimona's narrative of the war. I have, Ac, W. B. White, Eesident Magistrate. The Native Secretary, Auckland. Enclosure in No. 2. TRANSLATION OP STATEMENT SENT BY PIBIMONA TO MR. WHITE, MONGONUI. The Governor went to Taranaki and commenced to set his work straight there, and to make redoubts on his land at Tataraimaka. This land (Tataraimaka) is in the midst of Maori land (or is between Maori land). The Governor proposed to the Chiefs there that the road should be made as far as Tataraimaka. One of the Ngatiawa Chiefs, named Tamihana, said that it would not be right to make the road over Okurukuru, because that part was under or with the King. The Governor said, Do not listen to the King; his is a foolish policy ; that of the Pakehas is betterto give roads for all men (for the benefit of the public). Tamihana replied, "We have nothing to do with it; it rests with the King. Hearken, however, 0 Governor, if you make your road over Okurukuru it will be the cause of bloodshed between us (lit. [that place] will be a pool of blood for you and me)." When the survey was made, it was seen that the Governor spake truly when he said that the road should go to Tataraimaka through Okurukuru. A letter was at once written to Matutaera. On reaching the Ngatimaniapoto it was opened and read ; it never reached the King or Tamihana. It was replied to by Eewi and Herewini; they wrote a letter, and put this war song at the end of it: — " 0 ! 0 ! Who's that yonder, cutting up The fish of Ahiaroa? O ! O ! the pillow of the King falls. 0 ! 0 ! Kareanui gnaws at my heart. Plume of red ! Plume of red! Plume of the kaka. We'll sing our war song at Kawhia. Surprise! Surprise! Fire!" When this letter reached Taranaki the eight Pakehas were murdered at Taranaki. Thereupon war was made upon the Taranakis, and tho Taranakis' pa taken, and twenty-four Maoris killed. Sixteen fled and escaped. One Pakeha was killed. Now the Taranakis and Waikatos did not approve of this work of murder. All the men held back —none went to aid them. When those sixteen men saw that they would get into difficulty, they said that they r were merely workmen—that the Waikatos were the instigators. Hence it was that the war was turned upon Waikato. The Governor wrote a letter to the Chiefs of Waikato to ascertain what their opinions were in regard to that murderous deed of the Taranakis, but no reply was returned. The Governor therefore concluded that the Waikatos sanctioned that proceeding, and in consequence a notice was issued to the men of Mangere, Pukaki, Waiuku, Pokeno, Patumahoe, and the Kirikiri, that they- were to take the oath of allegiance and give up their arms. If they refused to give up their arms they were to go to Waikato. The consequence was that the men of Manukau left. On the Sunday the troops crossed the Mangatawhiri. The men of Waikato said that if the soldiers crossed the Mangatawhiri they would at once be fired upon. Six days after the Waikatos attacked them, and there fell, at the Koheroa, fifteen Maoris and two Pakehas. In the surprise at the Earn arama, on that same day, five Pakehas were killed and one Maori. One week after that fight there was another at the Kirikiri, in which seven Maoris fell, and one thousand and "eighty Pakehas were slain. The Maoris captured one hundred and fifty tents, two cannons, and two tents of powder. One officer was taken prisoner—his name was Kemara (Campbell ?). The soldiers cheered twice on account of the bravery displayed by the men (Maoris) in taking the things from a dead officer in the midst of the engagement, and on account of the bearing away of the body of a dead soldier in the midst of the fight. We heard this account from

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PROCEEDINGS OF PIRIMONA.