E.—No. 1.

Kepa, who had been sent clown to overtake me, and request me to return to them on the 17th or 18th. He said that they had had a quarrel after I left, and those who wished to return this morning intended to carry out their determination, and that if I would come back to them they would move down to the first encampment, about six miles lower down, and meet me. I waited here till the prisoners had concluded their purchases of flour and potatoes from Mr. Meicklejohn, and returned to Te Ngaere, where I arrived at 6 p.m., and found H.M.S. " Falcon," and embarked for To Kawau. In conclusion, I have the honor to state that as I feel assured that several of the natives are inclined to return to Te Kawau, I intend, to-morrow, 19th, as I promised, to go back into the bush and meet them. I have, &c, T. A. White, Superintendent, Te Kawau.

Sib, — Te Kawau, September 20th, 1864. I have the honor to forward, for the information of the Hon. the Colonial Secretary, the following particulars of my movements. Having promised the prisoners on Thursday, the 16th instant, to go "back and have another interview with them, I did so on the 18th, and they then promised to return if permitted to settle at Mangatawhiri and Te Ngaere. I accordingly- informed His Excellency of this request, and he immediately sent me back to the prisoners, on the 20th, to tell them that he granted their request, and to ask them (the Natives) to return at once, and settle quietly down. Upon informing the prisoners of this they unanimously agreed to return on the morrow, Wednesday, the 21st, but said that it would take them two or three days before all got down, as many were weak and ill; and as a proof of their sincerity they sent Ihaia and Te Rewiri to see His Excellency. Having but just now returned, and heard that H.M.S. " Miranda" at once leaves for Auckland, I send you the above hurried report, but will by the earliest opportunity forward full particulars. I have, &c, The Native Secretary, Auckland. T. A. White, Superintendent Te Kawau.

Sm,— Te Kawau, September 2Gth, 1864. I have the honor to state, for your information, that immediately on my arrival from Town to-day, I reported myself to His Excellency Sir George Grey, by whom I was informed that the two prisoners named in the margin, and who were on board the hulk, had made their escape to the main land during last night, taking with them one of our boats ; and that after enquiry and search the boat was found beached in Tawhitu's Bay, Waikauri, and brought back to the hulk by an officer of H.M.S. " Miranda." I further beg to state that in consequence of a promise and agreement with the prisoners, made on the 23rd instant, relative to a meeting for this day, I went over to Wikauri, at 6 p.m., where I was informed by Hapeta, Patuone's nephew, that about 30 prisoners had been down during the early part of the afternoon for provisions, and upon Hapeta's reminding them of my former terms, viz., that they were not to have any more provisions until they all returned and settled at Maungatawhiri as promised by them; they all appeared very downhearted and disappointed. They stated to him (Hapeta) that they did not intend settling at Waikauri, but that a number of them were coming down at once, i.e., to-morrow to Tawhitu's old place, Whangateao, to cultivate. They also stated that Tawhitu's men were to accompany them, but that the Chief Tawhitu himself would remain on the mountain. They said that they had finished the pa, and the reason why they had abandoned the idea of coming to Mangatawhiri was, that they were afraid that the Governor or Government would send them to prison and punish them. They further stated that three of Tawhitu's men were coming to cultivate at AV raikauri. In conclusion, I have the honor to state that I was informed by Hapeta, that the prisoners had procured 1 j tons flour from a man named Day, at Matakana, who had written to Auckland for further supplies for them. I have, Ac, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary. T. A. "White, Superintendent Te Kawau. I have further to add that His Excellency feels grieved, and says that an act of injustice has been done him by my taking Mr. Ed. P. Martin to town without His Excellency's knowledge, as he thinks that had he been left behind the two Natives would not have escaped from the hulk on Sunday night. Mr. Martin was taken by roe without His Excellency's knowledge. T. A. White.

Sir,— ■ Tc Kawau, Sept, 28, 1864. I have the honor to forward for your information the following particulars, which I obtained to day from Hapeta, Patuone's nephew. He informed me that Paratene, one of the two prisoners who escaped on Sunday night, came to Waikauri and told him that a number of the prisoners, with the Ngatiteata women, had come down to Whangateau to gather shell fish, and had taken the nets belonging to Tawhitu from Waikauri. ITapctu also heard that Tawhitu had sent three messengers to his son at Wangarci, to ask him to come and see him on Otamahua, two of whom, Woata Te Taki and Kiwi, being escaped prisoners. The messengers went on horseback last Saturday, the 24th, and were expected to return on the 27th instant. The prisoners have also said that they intend taking Tawhitu with them to Waikato. He (Hapeta) further told me that he had sent my message to the prisoners by cine of his men, viz., " That the Rewiti of the Nagtiwhatua tribe, had just returned from Kaipara, and had requested me to tell the prisoners that they were to return at once to Te Kawau, and that the Kaipara natives had requested him (Te Rewiti) to tell them that they disapproved of their doings ; that none of them were to expect any assistance from Kaipara ; that they (the Kaipara natives) would not allow a single prisoner to live amongst them. Hapeta's messenger was also directed to find out if any of the Ngapuhi tribe were on Otamahua, and to ascertain their names, &c. The messenger will probably return to-morrow, when he will immediately come over and report to me.

59

RELATIVE TO MAORI PRISONERS.