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of the Ngatimaniapoto was only hinted at. On Tuesday morning a Native of the name of Toefoe informed us of their arrival and intended visit. Mr. Gorst said his presence was required at Wai pa and sent him (Toetoe) over to Kihikihi with a message to that effect. As we (Mr. Gorst, Mr. White, and myself) were setting out, Patene hailed us and showed us a letter from Wm. Thomson, recommending that no violence should be used but merely that the school should be disbanded. On our way to the Waipa we met several Natives, all of whom were very civil to us. At 9 p.m., as we neared the station on our return homeward, we were met by Hohia, a Native teacher, with the words, " E hoa ma, kua tae mai te ope, kua riro te Perehi." (Friends, the army has arrived and the press has been taken away.) On our arrival at the station we found about 180 or 200 Natives encamped on the road, the printing office empty, and the premises occupied by sentries, all fully armed. On enquiring the facts, they were related to us by the spectators as follows :—Tuesday, 24th instant, at 2 p.m., as the bell for all the workmen and boys to resume work rung, the mob was seen coming along headed by three carts. They marched up to the gate and looked through the printing office window, where Von Dadelszen was striking off No. 5 of the Pihoihoi. Immediately on seeing them he walked out and locked the door. The proceedings then commenced with prayer ; after that an old Chief tried the door, and finding it locked, retired. Another man then went up (whose name we could not ascertain) and with three kicks burst open the door. They then made a clean sweep of everything, press, type, mail-box, personal luggage, &c. In loading the carts the press was severely damaged. The carts then moved off to Kihikihi under guards, and the remainder proceeded to make themselves comfortable. I have omitted to mention the names of Pineha and Patene, who exerted themselves to resist, but of course without avail. In the evening, guards were arranged for the night and all was quiet. In the morning we ascertained the names of the leaders, viz.: William King, Eewi, Aporo, and Hone Ropiha. At about 10 p.m., the two latter ones came into the verandah, and opened the " korero." The main feature of Aporo's speech was "Haereatu." (Begone.) Manuka, an old Rangiawhia Chief, then stood up and said " E Aporo, na koutou ano tenei kainga? Kahore, na matou, ma matou e whakakino to matou kainga, kua taurekarekatia matou i a koutou." (Is this your place, 0 Aporo ? No f it is ours, and it should be for us to spoil our place. Your have degraded us.) (This last sentence he repeated frequently.) After some frivolous conversation with Barton, the party retired, and at about twelve sent for Mr. Gorst. In answer to their speech, Mr. Gorst said he should only leave the station at the bidding of the Governor. He also read them a resolution of the Ngaruawahia Runanga, relative to assaults on Europeans, at which they laughed. But I must observe that at this time there was nothing about their demeanour to create any alarm. However, after dinner their manner changed entirely to dogged, sullen silence. Mr. Reid, the Wesleyan Missionary, together with the Reverends Grace and Morgan, were present. At about 5 p.m., while we were discussing the desirability of removing, Mr. Reid came up with a proposal from Rewi. We immediately went to see him (Rewi) and the result of our interview was the letter written by Mr. Gorst to him, a copy of which is enclosed to the Native Minister. The whole body then withdrew, but we were warned that we should be constantly watched. Shortly after this it was decided that I should go to Auckland. Accordingly, just before dark I started and arrived at Kahumatuku about midnight. I there roused Houa the Magistrate, described the whole case to him, and got the two policemen to conduct me up to the pa at Mangatawhiri. I informed the Natives at all the principal places which we passed after daybreak of what had happened, and arrived at Maugatawhiri at about half-past ten or eleven a.m. Seeing by the paper that the Airedale was in harbour still, I made all haste and arrived in Auckland at about three or half-past three p.m.. and delivered up my letters. R. C. Mainwauing.
No. 7. THE HONOURABLE THE NATITK MINISTER TO THE CIVIL COMMISSIONER, OTAWHAO. Native Office, Auckland, 26th March, 1863. Sir, — A contrary wind having delayed the sailing of the Airedale, I received this afternoon your memorandum of the occurrences which took place at the Awamutu yesterday, and also obtained full particulars from Mr. Mainwaring. Upon consideration of the grave circumstances connected with the unprovoked outrage which has been committed by Rewi, William King, and their followers of the Maniapoto tribe, it seems that you have reason to apprehend serious danger to yourself and the other Europeans, if you remain at Otawhao. I do not hesitate therefore in instructing you, that if upon receipt of this letter you should still bo of opinion that there is any danger whatever to life, you are to return at once to Auckland with your family and the other Europeans now in the employment of Government on the station. In that event you will make such arrangements as may appear to you most expedient for preserving the property at Awamutu. These arrangements must so entirely depend on the state of things at the exact time when you may arrive at the determination to leave the station, that I will not fetter you by specific directions with respect to them ; merely stating that whatever you may do will be confirmed by me. I have, &c, The Civil Commissioner, F. D. Bell. Otawhao.
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