A.—No. 5

encroachments of the Hau llau, and provide more fully for the security of the European inhabitants on the East Coast. The erection of a blockhouse, enrolment of volunteers, arming of the friendly Natives, and other measures adopted for the safety of the Wairoa, have been attended with the best possible resuli s. I enclose the copy of a letter from Mr. Locke, an intelligent officer, who possesses an intimate knowledge of the Natives ; together with one from the Resident Magistrate of the district, describing the action taken by Kopu, Ihaka Paora, and other chiefs with their followers, on the occasion of a late visit of from 300 to 400 of the Hau Hau. I cannot speak in too high terms of the undeviating loyalty and zeal of Kopu and Ihaka, to whose exertions the European inhabitants of the north end of the Province are indebted for being preserved from the outrage and violence of the numerous bands of fanatics that have frequented that part of the district. I regret that some of the chiefs are not proof against the fascinations of the Hau Hau belief. Te Matenga, of Nuhaka, who, a few weeks ago, declared emphatically against the Hau Haus, has now joined a party of them, under the pretence that his wife and other members of his family can be cured of all ailments by their incantations. It is evident from this and other eases of defection constantly occurring, notwithstanding the present more favourable aspect of affairs, that there cannot with safety be any relaxation in the adoption of measures for the defence of the inhabitants. I have, &c, Donald McLean. ■ The Hon. the Minister for Native Affairs, "Wellington. Enclosure 2 to No. 39. Slß,— Turanga, 20th April, 1865. I have the honor to inform you that the Hau Hau, which up to the 31st ultimo, were fast gaining ground, and only a week since were making use of very insolent and defiant language, have to say the least received a most decided check. Their arguments have been thoroughly confuted, and the falsehood of their statements with reference to the success of their party, as well as their unfounded claim to supernatural power, have been completely exposed. Kercopa had been so well received that he was expected at Makaraka in company with some of the Turanga. chiefs to have his likeness taken, when the news of our arrival induced him to keep in the background ; and after threatening to gratify his cannibal appetite upon "Wi Tako, as well as the clergy, he left the district on the sth instant, much discouraged and alarmed. Patara, who found it convenient to disclaim any connection with the Opotiki murder, and pretended to condemn Kereopa's proceedings, was using every means in his power to establish himself in the district, and to push his way to the Ngatiparou, at Waiapu, and the Eawakawa. The Taitanga-a-mahnki Hau Hau were determined in defiance of all that was said in opposition to bring Patara forward at the Waerengaanika runanga, but upon reaching the spot on the 10th instant, and finding that the friendly Natives would not meet him, they made use of most violent threats against all strangers and sympathisers with the Government, and then retired. Most of them returned on the following morning with Patara and the rest of the Taranaki party, and at the termination of the meeting it was evident that what had been said had made a decided impression, for there was a marked change in their tone and manner. Several of them have since left the Hau Hau among whom is Henare Ruru, one of their most influential men, who has openly denounced their proceedings. The manner in which they ran from Whakato, when challenged to draw the " Lady Bird" on shore ; their failure to get the " Eclipse" ashore at Opotiki, as well as the failure of the L'rewera and Wairoa party in attempting to draw the " St. Kilda" ashore at Whareongaonga, have been constantly cast in their teeth in not very complimentary language. Patara evidently found the ground breaking from under him, and he left Taureka on Sunday last for the Bay of Plenty. At the Whakato runanga the constant cry of the Natives was : i; Stop the war, or every corner of the island will soon be in arms." The reply was: How can you speak of peace, when you have been encouraging people in your district who are not only Hau Haus but murderers of innocent Europeans ? Had you apprehended these murderers upon their reaching this place, and handed them up to the authorities, you would have distinguished yourselves, and might have expected a hearing. The residents again said " stop the war and the Hau Hau will soon die out. It is only supported by sympathy for the people who are being slain, and for the land which is being taken from them. As for the murder let the Governor arrange that at Opotiki." To this it was replied: " You are putting the cart before the horse ; first give up the murderers and put down the Hau Hau, and then talk of peace." The extraordinary amount of suspicion which was exhibited by many towards everything that had been said or done by the English, and as to their ultimate intentions with regard to the Native race, was most painful to witness ; but the testimony borne by the Otaki and Ahuriri chiefs to the truth of the statement —that it was not the wish of the English to exterminate the Maoris and deprive them of their land; but that on the contrary, a very kindly feeling had all along been manifested towards them (murderers excluded) and that the Government would rejoice at the prospect of peace, if it could be secured on a satisfactory busis —appeared to have a very great effect in restoring confidence and allaying irritation of feeling. After considerable discussion it was arranged, that if the Hau Hau were expelled from the district, a general meeting should be called at Ahuriri, as being the most central spot to which the leaders of the tribes now in arms against the Government should be invited to discuss terms of peace. But when Eaharuhi Eukupo sided with the Hau Hau at the Waerengaahika runanga, and urged that if at the Ahuriri meeting the Government should decline to make peace, all the neutral tribes should take up arms and join the hostile ranks, the frjendly Natives declared that a meeting called with such an understanding would only be an insult to the Government, and therefore they would decline having anything to do with it. I cannot speak too highly of the valuable assistance which lias been rendered by Wi Tako, Matene

34

DESPATCHES FROM THE GOVERNOR OE NEW