A.—No. I

of the 14th March, I had ascertained to ray horror that the baked head of an English soldier had been sent on from Pipiriki, on the Upper Wanganui, to Turanga, for the purpose of rousing the East Coast Natives to murder Europeans in that part of New Zealand. 2. The two principal chiefs of Pipiriki arc Topia and Tahana. Immediately after this information had been communicated to me by the chief Pohi, his son Topia arrived at Wanganui, having been sent for to make his submission, he having previously come down the Wanganui Eiver to within about ten miles of the town of Wanganui. The friendly chiefs who had defeated Pchi and his tribe had entered into a convention with them to the effect that if they at once gave in their submission they would guarantee them a full pardon from the Government. Our friendly chiefs had concluded the convention without having any knowledge that Topia and Tahana, who had been brought up and had lived for years amongst the Europeans with whom they had never had any cause of quarrel, had rendered themselves partners in such a crime as sending on the head of an European soldier with such an object. 3. In the course of the same night I was roused to receive the intelligence of the shocking murder of Mr. Yolkner on the East Coast of this island by the parties who had taken on this head. 4. I therefore the next day on seeing Topia, on his refusing to make his submission, felt myself justified in only undertaking to carry out the conditional promise of a pardon which had been made to him by the friendly Natives, if he fulfilled those conditions in the course of the day, which he declined to do. 5. I therefore allowed him to depart and allowed him twenty-four hours to escape in, and then issued a Proclamation calling upon all persons to aid in his apprehension. 6. I have the honor to transmit for your information a note drawn up by the Interpreter of what passed on this occasion, as also a copy of a report made by Mr. Booth of the result of his proceeding* with Topia's people, to whom I despatched him, requiring them at once to come and make their submission, which twenty-four of their leading men immediately did. I have, &c., The Eight Hon. Edward Cardwell, M.P. G. Grey. Enclosure 1 to No. 30. NOTES of Interview between His Excellency Sir Geoege Gket and Topia Tueoa, at Putiki, Wanganui, 15th March, ISGS. Topia said that he had nothing to say. He had no desire to come from Eaeriki to see the ■Governor. He was here because he was sent for by the Governor. The Governor replied that he sent for him to come and take the oath of allegiance, and asked him if ho would do so. He replied, No. The Governor then said, Listen to my words (which were read by Mr. Fulloon) : —Topia, who is one of the principal chiefs of Pipiriki and of the Wanganui Eiver, has acted as priest for the Hau Hau fanatics; he allowed Mr. Hewitt's head to be brought to Pipiriki, as it was being carried to the East Coast by the party of the Hau Hau people, who took it there to raise the East Coast tribes to war, and who have committed such a dreadful murder on Mr. Volkner. In my belief it is the duty of a chief to give an example to his people, and not to follow their advice. Topia gave them an example in doing that which has led to so great a crime, when he acted as their priest and leader in the Hau Hau superstition. I believe from his having done so, and from his having allowed Mr. Hewitt's head to be brought to Pipiriki, and to be carried thence towards Turanga, where he knew they were taking it, and with what object, he is in a great degree responsible for Mr. Hewitt's and for Mr" Yolkner's murder. I did not know these things when I heard that Hori Kingi, Mete Kingi, and others had allowed him to come into the Lower Wanganui district. Now that so dreadful 4i crime has been committed as the murder of Mr. Volkner at Opotiki, it was quite time we should know at once our friends from our enemies. Hori Kingi, Mete Kingi, and other chiefs, having made promises to Topia, I shall feel bound to fulfil those promises, and to pardon him in the same manner as Pehi, if he at once takes the oath of allegiance. If lie does not do this, and declines to give an example of good to his people, but makes an excuse that he must first return up the river to consult them, I shall regard him as a person implicated in the murder of Mr. Hewitt and Mr. Volkner. He may return up the river to-day ; to-morrow I will issue a notice offering a large reward for hia apprehension, and he shall be tried for murder whenever he is caught. Topia: I speak. You say that lam implicated in the murders of Mr. Hewitt and Mr. Volkner. It is correct, I am implicated (uru) in these murders, and also in the work of the Hau Hau. The work was theirs and I joined in (I uru au), and I was implicated, because I belonged to the Hau Hau. It was agreed by the people that Pehi should come to you and make peace, not me. The Governor then asked Mete Kingi if they knew that Mr. Hewitt's head had been at Pipiriki or not when they made peace with them. Mete Kingi, Hori Kingi, and several others answered, No. Topia : The head had passed on when Hewitt was killed. It was another head. The Governor said it does not matter whose head it was, the crime was the same. He believed it Hewitt's, for he was told it was on very good authority. Mete Kingi: He says that he will not take the oath of allegiance, that Pehi was the only one that was arranged to do so, and that he (Topia) also did not come down here of his own accord; he came voluntarily to Eaorihia, and then to Kai Waiki; he was not asked to do so. The chiefs who consented to take the oath were Pehi, Topia, Te Tahana, Tamati Waka, and Hori Patene. Tipene, Wi Pakau, .and Eepata were by at the time; they did not give any pledges, but the others did give pledges ; these very things that we gave you they gave us to give to you. lam looking at his words (not coming of his own accord), and of what was said by his elders (tupunas). In my mind he cannot go against what Pehi has done. The Governor says that Topia can go to-day and pursue him by the notice to-morrow. Would you not let Hori Kingi and myself have the management. Topia: Mete has communicated the names of the chiefs who made peace. It is correct; but I made peace only with Hori Kingi and his people, not with you. Because I made peace with Hori Kingi and his people, it does not follow that I was to make peace with you. I did not promise to live in peace with you I did not give my pledge to you. I fought against Hori Kingi; my quarrel war: with him, and good words are now between us ; but with you I have made no peace. I did not E

Enclosed

17

ZEALAND TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE.