D.—No. 21

24

RETURN OF ARMS AND AMMUNITION

F. Return of Deficiencies in handing in Arms, Accoutrements, Camp Equipage, by Lieutenant Gudgeon, Native Contingent, belonging to the Kupapas. Wanganui, 15th November, 1866. 9 Medium Rifles. 6 Breech-loading Pouches. 3 Breech-loading Carbines. 6 Waist Bolts. 7 Slings, medium. 9 Cap Pockets. 3 Slings, Breech-loading. 1 Tent Pole. 17 Snap-caps and Chains. 8 Camp Kettles. Edward Gorton, Lieut.-Colonel, Commanding W.M. District.

E. —Enclosure 1 in No. 51. Copy of a Letter from Lieutenant Gudgeon to Lieut.-Colonel Gorton. Sir, — Wanganui, 17th November, 1866. In answer to your memo. No. 226-66, 16th November, I have the honor to reply that I believe the unexplained deficiencies are in possession of the Kupapas, with the exception of the tent and pole, which 1 believe to have been placed by them outside the Militia Office, where they were found. The seven medium slings are doubtless attached to the rifles now in possession of Ngatiapa. The six breech-loaders' slings returned as deficient, I find, by referring to my receipt, to be a mistake, as twelve were returned to store, leaving a deficiency of only three. The seventeen snap-caps and chains were most likely lost in the bush, as the Maoris would certainly not take them, as they disapprove of them. Tho six breech-loaders, pouches, and belts, and the nine cap pockets are in the possession, of the chiefs to whom the carbines were issued, and it will be very difficult to get them from the chiefs, as they will not scruple to deny having received them. As regards the eight camp kettles, I imagine the Kupapas to have sent them overland, as I saw nothing of them on board the " Sturt." Had they been there I must have done so. I have further the honor to report that I have spoken to the Ngatiapa chief Hunia Heke about tho rifles (seven medium and two breech-loaders) in their possession. He said " The Governor says we must give them up; but we will not do so until our Committee or Runanga has decided what w re are to do." I think the only way to get them is by the Governor himself writing them a letter. I have, &c, Lieut.-Colonel Gorton, W. E. Gudgeon, Commanding W.M. District. Lieutenant, N.C.

E. —Enclosure 2 in No. 51. Copy of a Letter from Lieutenant Gudgeon to Lieut.-Colonel Gorton. Sir, — Wanganui, 15th November, 1866. I have the honor to report that sixty-four medium rifles and twelve breech-loaders have been returned into Quartermaster's Stores, Wanganui, against seventy-three medium and fifteen breechloaders issued to Kupapas, leaving a deficiency of nine medium and three breech-loaders. Of these the Ngatiapa Tribe have in their possession seven medium and three breech-loaders, which they managed to keep by avoiding the steamer and riding overland. They say since that they ought to keep the rifles as payment for their services. The Ngatiapa chief Aperahama Tipai keeps a breech-loader by order of His Excellency the Governor. The two remaining rifles are in possession,—one of a man now at Ketemarai, and which I will take on the strength of the Native Contingent immediately on my return ; the other is in possession of a man at Aramaho named Pete, from whom there will be no difficulty in obtaining it. I have, &c, Lieut.-Colonel Gorton, W. E. Gudgeon, Commanding W.M. District. Lieutenant, N.C.

E.—No. 52. Copy of a Letter from Lieut.-Colonel Gorton to Captain Holt. (No. 947.) Militia and Volunteer Orderly-room, Sir, — Wanganui, 19th November, 1866. I have the honor to forward a nominal return of those Kupapas who have failed to return arms which were issued to them last month from this office. One of the arms in question Lieutenant Gudgeon reports has been retained by Chief Aperahama Tipai by order of His Excellency tho Governor. I would suggest that His Excellency be requested to order the remaining portion of these Natives to return their arms at once into store. Unless that is done, lam afraid they will never be recovered again. I have, &c, Captain Holt, Under Secretary, Edward Gorton, Colonial Defence Office, Wellington. Commanding W.M. District.