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A.—No. 5.

9th.—ln conversing this morning with an old woman, I found she was returning to "Whakatane, and that the people there wished me to be free. I therefore ventured to scud by her a few lines on a scrap of paper torn from the margin of a periodical. Dr. A gamin kindly came down, and with his advice I wrote the document respecting loss, in the form demanded, on condition that Captain Levy would sign another, to deliver Patara's letter at Tauranga. He refused the latter, except on condition of an indefinite indemnity for going into Tauranga, to which I could not consent. I left my memorandum with Dr. Agassiz to give up upon receiving the other from the captain. I should have consented to write the above document before, if I had been satisfied in my own mind. Yrom the first mention of the subject, it had appeared to mo that Mr. Yolkner and myself being on board the schooner, might have been to a great extent the cause of the captain's loss, and had more than once stated this to him. Tiwai and another Native named Eauapira had both said it was so ; and Dr. Agassiz had given a document stating he had heard the captain say he would give up all to save us, and had more than once advised me to give the required document. I therefore felt it right to give way ; also, the only apparent chance of my life being saved, was, in getting the captain to fulfil his agreement to deliver at Tauranga, Patara's letter for Hori Tupaea. In addition to this, the daily persecution I was enduring on account of not giving the document had become quite insupportable. Evidence has since proved that the captain's loss was not caused by our being on board. 10th.—From various remarks of the Natives it is evident they will not allow the vessel to sail yet. This is the tenth day from our arrival, but only five days since Patara left. The Natives say the rain has prevented them from bringing payment for what they have taken from Captain Levy. I have had several inquiries from the Natives as to whom he is going to take away. I told them 1 did not know. They were evidently keeping a close watch that he should not take oft' his brother. I often wished to visit Mr. Volkner's house to look for some books, but difficulties were always raised. However, Henare sent me down a couch, and a quantity of very good biscuit, half a bag of sugar, a lot of tea, and some candles, belonging to dear Volkner. How he had managed to retain these things I cannot tell, I had the sofa put into an empty store, adjoining Tiwai's house, so that I now slept alone, having exchanged the floor for a bed, and a close room and fumes of tobacco for a good air. 11th.—Everything fair for sailing if the Natives would let the vessel go. At about five p.m. a woman came up and told me that she was from Whakatane, and immediately after, two men from the same place said they had a letter from their people to let me go. At this time there was a meeting going on to stop the vessel. I went to the meeting and said a few words. The Natives would not allow the vessel to go until the tenth day from Patara's departure. They said they wanted time to bring payment for the things they had taken, and that on Monday it would bo carted in. ltcport says that the Ngatiawas (the people of Whakatane and Matata) may be expected on Monday to set me free; the two men just arrived have brought word that Hori Tupaea is at liberty. Had evening prayer in native with these two men. 12th. —Sunday. How unlike Sunday ; not one sign remains to tell it is the day of rest. After having morning prayer without anyone to join me, I paid my accustomed visit to the grave of dear Yolkner, and afterwards went to see Dr. Agassiz, and arranged finally to meet in the morning to read the; burial service. He spoke about the document I had signed ;he said he had left it on the table in Captain Levy's store till he got the other from the captain, but lie would go and see for it. 13th.—Eparaima, a Native of Turanga, who knew me when 1 lived there twelve years ago, came from Whakatane with a letter and a message from the prophet of that place to release me. He appears very desirous for my liberation, and cried very much; he is going inland to a meeting, and will I feel sure do his best for me. At about nine a.m. I met the doctor to read the burial service over poor dear Yolkner. It was truly a solemn hour. This is a martyr's grave, and the fine church which through his exertions has been erected, is his best monument. Never shall I forget the burial. My heart was filled with mingled feelings of thankfulness and sorrow. Never did I read our beautiful service with such satisfaction. Never did the words " Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord," appear so appropriate. I could not help at the conclusion asking Dr. Agassiz that in case anything happened, to have me buried if possible by the side of dear Volkner. I saw quantities of potatoes and corn carted to the vessel to-day, in payment for what the Natives had taken. The doctor thinks that Mr. Levy will lose about £50. 14th. —Otcre te Aruhi, an old man, lias just told me that they will pay the captain for all they have taken. He also says that he told Mr. Yolkner not to return. I walked out in the afternoon about a mile and a half on the road to Waikohika, expecting to see Eparaima, who proposed to return again this evening. At this distance I came to a new fortified pa, and went into it, but saw no Natives. It is situated amongst swamps, apparently approachable only from the front. The river is only a short distance behind. It is built with strong posts filled between with long manaku sticks ten or twelve feet long; inside this, there is a row of deep rifle pits, and behind them a high earthwork measuring from the bottom of the pits about twelve feet high. This pa I have been told is only one of three or four more said to be stronger than this. I walked about until sunset when I returned. I did not see Eparaima, but he returned late in the evening. The meeting of Eparaima with the people has been so far satisfactory, that if I could procure a letter from the prophet at Matata, I might get off. It was a mistake in Eparaima to come without one. The captain has been very abusive because I have made an offer of money to Tiwai if he will go to Matata and procure me a letter from the prophet. The vessel is to leave in the morning, but whether she will sail to Tauranga and take Patara's letter for Hori Tupaea, or go on to Auckland, I have not the smallest knowledge. The sailors do not seem to know. 15th. —The vessel has dropped down the river this morning. Eparaima has just left for Turanga, but will not go further to-day than Waikohika. I have sent letters by him to Bishop Williams to send me help if possible. Nearly all the Natives were at Waikohika to-day. A new pole for their worship is to be consecrated, and there is to be a feast. I wished to see Eparaima again, and therefore resolved to go. Eru Hapo walked with me ; he told me as we went that H

29

ZEALAND TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE.

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