E.—No. 1.

I beg further to inform you that I firmly believe if the prisoners do not succeed in obtaining the support of either the Kaipara or Northern natives, that they will in all probability attempt to get back to Waikato by way of the Thames. To accomplish this they will very likely attempt to seize some of oiir coasting traders. To the Hon. the Colonial Secretary. I have, &c, T. A. White, Superintendent Te Kawau.

MEMOKANDUM for Hts Excellency. The Colonial Secretary begs to forward to His Excellency a report by Mr. Searaneke, a Surveyor in the employment of the Government, of a visit paid by him to the escaped prisoners in their pa, on the top of the Omaha hills. The Colonial Secretary begs respectfully that His Excellency will allow this report to be added to the Appendix G of his Memorandum on the Prisoners of the 30th September last. 7th August, 1864. William Fox.

Copy of a LETTEE from Mr. Seahancke to the Colonial Secretary. Sib,— Whangarei, 2nd October, 1864. I have the honor to report for your information, that in consequence of the state of the Native mind, resulting from the escape of the prisoners from To Kawau, also of the anxiety of the Europeans from the uncertain nature of the reports flying about, I proceeded in company with Kenata, a son of Te Hanihera (the Native Assessor hero), to "Wonga te hau (Big Omaha). On Thursday, the 29th ult., we proceeded up to the hill Otamahua, where the Waikatos have formed their pa; we met with no interruption on the road, and were welcomed and most heartily received by the Natives. The whole of the Waikatos, with one exception, were there, and about 20 of their wives ; also, Tawhitu Here Koha and all his people : also, Parata To Mate Komene, a son of the late Matin Te Aranui, the Mangakahia Chief; also, some of the Mahurangi natives : in all about 350 men —i.e., 220 Waikatos, and about 130 Ngapuhis. The pa is situated on the extremity of the range, commanding a view of the whole country, from Auckland south to the Bay of Islands north, also the whole of the Kaipara district; and is known by the name of Otamahua." The pa is about 150 yards long, and 15 to 20 yards wide, and perfectly precipitous on either side ; is fenced in with a very temporary fence, and partly trenched, and has a large number of very slightly built nikau houses. We were conducted to the house occupied by Tawhitu, who asked us about the letters forwarded by him, but which were stopped by Te Tirarau and forwarded to you ; he appeared to be anxious about them, and the part he had taken. I hero left Tawhitu's house, leaving it to my native to report to me, and went myself to the house occupied by the Waikatos, who, all knowing me, received me very kindly —when they heard that I had not come from Auckland. I found all the leading men here. Wiremu Kumete, a very bold and clear-headed native, from Kavhia ; also, Te Tapihana Te Hiko (the elder brother of Takerei). 1 informed them that 1 had not anything to say to them, but had come to hear, on behalf of the Europeans and natives in the district, what they intended to do, and generally what their intentions were. Wiremu Kumete and Te Tapihana answered me that they had been forced into the position I had found them in, but that they had all determined not to return to Te Kawau, for, as the former said, " How many birds, having escaped from the trap, return to it. That if unmolested themselves, they would not molest any of the settlers ; that they had fairly bought and paid for all they had had (two bullocks and some few sheep excepted). But who (said Wiremu) can control the cravings of an empty stomach ; that every day he gave particular charge to all the young men not to interfere, or go more than two or three at a time, to any settler's house." I here pressed them about their intentions or wishes, and they said all they wanted was to get back to Waikato ; they were aware of soldiers being sent to Manukau to intercept 'them on their return, but they intended to go, and that openly, via Auckland, and that I should hear of them. I asked them what they purposed doing, if they readied the Waikato in safety ? They at once answered, " Continue the war, until every European was withdrawn to Auckland ; that they had heard that the troops were all to be withdrawn soon; that the war had re-commenced at Taranaki, and that the Europeans had been defeated." This was the substance of Wiremu Kumete and Te Tapihana's communication to me: but as I waa witli them more than three hours, many remarks were made, from which I deduced the following —That many would return to the Kawau, but are deterred by fear of one another; that the Waikatos are most anxious, at least at present, from having any disturbance, and particularly anxious to have the good word and opinion of the settlers round about them ; that they are very badly off for arms and ammunition, not having more than forty to fifty stand of arms among "them at present. They are pretty well off for food, I having seen twelve bags of flour and three large ma's of potatoes, with which they have been supplied by Te Honiara and Tawhitu, and the other natives residing in the neighbourhood. The great object of the Waikatos appears to me to be to return to their own district. They do not appear to be quite at home with their new friends, and if they can only succeed in getting away peaceably from their present location, the danger to this district from a more active sympathy on the part of the natives generally will be averted at once. They also informed me that they were looking forward to a visit from yourself, and spoke in most favourable terms of the results of the expected interview. I have, &c. The Hon. W. Fox, Esq., Colonial Secretary, W. N. Seaba>-ckk. Native Department.

Appendix H. MEMORANDUM of Conversation with Ti Obi Obi, in presence of Messrs. Whitakeb, EuBBEll, and Fox, 19th September, 1864. Mr. Puckey interpreting. After relating some circumstances connected with the escape of the prisoners, Ti Ori Ori said

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MEMORANDA AND REPORTS