A.—No. 20.

44

PAPERS RELATIVE TO

With regard to the notorious old chief Hakaraia, great difficulty has been experienced in getting at the actual position he has assumed with regard to these hostile movements. After much persuasion I induced Eanapia to go to Oropi and ascertain the actual state of things. He has returned, and states that old Hakaraia with his contingent is in the district, that he is resolved to drive the Pakeha into the sea ;he has with him, it is reported this evening, a forcp of 150 men; that he is expecting large reinforcements from Puhirua, Patetere, and Waikato, he has not yet joined forces with the Pirirakau. It is contemplated that they will be able to muster in all about 400 fighting men, Te Kuka, Native Assessor, at my request, has held communication with Eawiri Tata, Wiremu Kepa, Pene Taka, and the rest of this party. In reply to my letters left at the Irihanga and Waiwhatawhata, liawiri Tata said, "go and tell your Pakeha that I have never surrendered, and will not surrender ; I will yet drive them all into the sea." Pene Taka's language was even more violent; so that Ido not see the least hope of their listening to reason. The Pirirakau are expecting large reinforcements from the Thames and Mataora. Mr. Mair, Eesidcnt Magistrate, has received instructions from the Honourable the Defence Minister to raise a force of two hundred Arawas, to act in the rear of the enemy's position, first visiting Te Puke, the head-quarters of old Hakaraia. I beg to enclose copy of memorandum of instructions. I fear that this struggle will not be brought to a close without much bloodshed. The prestige of Hakaraia's name and his influence with all the surrounding Hauhau tribes will gain him many followers, and from the old man's obstinate and determined character the contest will be a fierce one. Hakaraia is said to be acting quite independently of Pene Taka and the Pirirakau party. I have no hesitation in stating that these hostilities have for a very long time been in contempation. It is estimated that the .Natives have supplies enough in the ranges for a force of five hundred men for twelve months. These largo crops would never have been intended for sale to Europeans, as they have no means of getting them out to the coast. I beg to enclose a sketch of the district and of the different positions of places referred to in this report. You will be good enough to understand, that the outrages committed on the surveyors and the hostile demonstrations made by the Natives have been on undisputed confiscated land. The disputed confiscated laud" on the west side of the "Wairoa has never been touched since the visit of His Excellency the Governor in Tauranga. I have, &c, H. T. Clarke, The Hon. the Native Minister, Wellington. Civil Commissioner. P.S. —I have just received a letter from Mr. Mair, Resident Magistrate. I enclose an extract from that letter relative to the intentions of Hakaraia. H. T. C.

Enclosure 1 in No. 49. [translation.] Ngaupari, part of Otawa, To Taketh, to Arama Karaka, to Parete, — 13th January, 1866. Friends. Salutations to you. Keep quiet; lie down. Do not persist in ahuareka, (literally amusing yourselves, an expression always used hero for fighting). Let him that persists persist. Enough. To Takerei. Maiiii (Poiiepoiie). This letter requires explanation. Arama Karaka and Parete inform me that a short time since Maihi Pohepoho tried to persuade them to join in with the Hauhaus in their meditated hostilities. Parete informed him that if they took up arms at all it would be against the Hauhaus ; they parted in anger. Parete and Arama Karaka hare since taken arms on our side.

Enclosure 2 in No. 49. Copy of a Letter from Wikiriwiii to Eatjapia. [translation.] To Te EArAPiA,— Oropi, * * * Father, Salutations ! Friend, the word to you.* " The (person) having but one residence dies, while he that has two escapes." Friend, inland, enough. From me and your brother, Wieiriwhi. The writer of this letter is Pomare, one of the Ngaiteahi.

Enclosure 3 in No. 49. Copy of a Letter from Ngatiteaiii to Te Eanapia and Taipaei. [translation.] Oropi, 12 th January, 18G7. To Te Eanapia : to Taipart,— Fathers, here is our word to you two, a simple warning (or reminder) for we know your * A Maori proverb—" Ka mate kainga tahi ka ora kainga rua."—H.T.C.