DISTURBANCES AT PATEA.

23

A.—No. 8,

instructed him to march for Waihi at dusk on Sunday, the 10th, and I was obliged to hire a cart to carry provisions and tents for the men. I left Patea early on Sunday morning with Captain Cumming and Mr. D. Canning, a gentleman from Napier who volunteered to accompany the force. The whole of the men reached AVaihi about 2 o'clock on Monday morning, and I encamped them in a hollow under the redoubt, Avhere the tents could not be seen, so as to prevent our being in the neighbourhood being known to the Natives. During Monday, the 11th, many Natives came into camp from the villages in the neighbourhood ; by my order they were at once made prisoners, but they were kindly treated, and when my reasons for detaining them for a night were explained to them, they were quite satisfied. I fell in the force at about 8 p.m., and marched for Te Ngutu-o-te-Manu, Avhich is about 2\ miles further in the forest than Pungarehu, the pa attacked by the Colonial Forces in October, 1866. I left Cornet Campbell, Patea Light Horse A'oluntecrs, in charge of the camp. From information received before leaving Waihi, I made a detour to a village called Mawhitiwhiti, Avhere I was informed Toi was sleeping. We surprised the village, but found that Toi had left that day. I took two Natives from that place Avith the intention of sending them into Te Ngutu-o-te-Manu, after I had surrounded the place, to assure the inhabitants that Aye had only come after stolen property and thieves. We marched on again and entered the bush, but when Avithin about 700 yards of the place, one of the Mawhitiwhiti Natives bolted. Katene and myself were close to him, but it was so dark we could not see him. I sent Katene in chase, and made a prisoner of the other Native. I ordered the column to come on as rapidly as possible, fully expecting to receive a volley every moment. Katene returned ; he had chased the Mawhitiwhiti Native to within a short distance of the pa. I then brought our prisoner to the front, keeping him tight in hand, and informing him I would shoot him the moment Aye were fired on. I brought the force on to Avithin 200 yards of the village, and placed them in a clearing to the right of the track. I need not say that all my plans were frustrated by the desertion of tho MaAvhitiwhiti Native, and I felt certain that all the inhabitants were now awake and on the alert, and that if I took the men on I was sure to get a volley, so I determined to go into the pa alone, to reassure the Natives if possible. Captain Cumming and Katene insisted on coming with mo. AYe Avere met at the entrance of the village by a chief named Tauke —the Native who had bolted into the bush had not had time to awaken the whole of the Natives, as Aye had come up so quickly after him. AYe Avent in with Tauke to the open space in the centre of the pa, and the Natives turned out of their whares as fast as they could. I told them what had occurred, and that I had a force of 100 men in the clearing. Katene here said, " The Colonel has 200 men here, 300 at Waihi, and 400 on the inarch up from Wanganui—the Government are not going to stand any more nonsense." They then asked me to bring in my men, which I did; and a house about 90 feet long by 25 or 30 feet Avide Avas given for their accommodation. It was iioav about 4 a.m., but notwithstanding the Natives at once commenced and cooked, potatoes for the men, and having placed a sufficient guard we lay down till daylight. About 8 a.m. the Natives assembled, and I told them what my errand Avas, and that the reason I brought so strong a party was that for the last tAvo months many horses and much property belonging to the Pakehas had been stolen, and that these were iv possession of the men of Te Ngutu-o-te-Manu; that Mr. Booth had come alone to demand them to be given up, and all he got was an insolent reply from Toi and Hau Whenua, to the effect that they had the horses and property, and intended to stick to them, and any more they could get hold of. I Avent on to say that owing to the Mawhitiwhiti Native having escaped, no doubt that Toi and Hau Whenua had left for the bush, but if I could see them they Avould be made prisoners of. " I could iioav take the Avhole of you, but the Government do not Avish to punish the innocent for the guilty."' They replied, " The horses are not handy; Toi and Hau AVhenua are not hero." I replied, " Tou must then come with me (this was to the Chief Kokiri and Tauke), come as men, not as prisoners; come to Waihi, see Mr. Booth, and let this evil matter be settled for ever." I got no answer for a long time, so I pulled out my watch and tolcl them I would give them a quarter of an hour to decide Avhether one should go as a sort of hostage that everything should be arranged properly; and if they could not decide in this period of time, I would take the whole. I fancy they must also have had the time, as they kept me fourteen minutes, and then Tauke said, " Colonel, it is settled; I will go Avith you and see Mr. Booth, the Resident Magistrate." The Natives then gave us some twenty baskets of potatoes, pigs ready for cooking, pumpkins, fowls, and some rolls of tobacco. I thanked them for their hospitality, and took some of tho tobacco and a couple of fowls, and left for Waihi, under the impression that in a day or two everything would be settled. Upon our arrival at Waihi I gave Tauke half of my tent. Natanahira was sent on in the evening for the stolen horses, and brought back next day my brother Edward McDonnell's mare, and a grey roan mare and foal belonging to Mr. Smith, of Waingongoro, but also claimed by the Chief Kokiri, and brought a message that the revolver had been sent to Noav Plymouth. A Native named Nai uoav stated to Mr. Booth that there were two other horses. Tauke said, " Perhaps so, but lam not aware of it; let me return and I will bring them to you, Colonel, if they have been taken; or I will remain and let Natanahira go." Mr. Booth said, " No, I will go with a dozen men and bring the horses and the thieves." I told Mr. Booth that my opinion Avas we ought to assent to the proposal made by Tauke; but he thought otherwise, and said he Avould go. I recommended him to take Tauke, which he said he would do. I then ordered Inspector Hunter and Captain Cumming, with the Mounted Constables and A 7olunteers, to proceed with Mr. Booth at 2 p.m., and took the men on foot on with Captain Page and myself, leaving Captain Ross in charge of the camp. I gave instructions to Inspector Hunter that if, as I anticipated, any resistance should be offered, lie was to send on for me to Pungarehu, where I intended halting. In following up the party Avith Mr. Booth I saw a Native on the track in front of me, and on riding up, to my great astonshment it was Tauke, Avho left Avith Mr. Booth. " What are you doing here ?" I inquired. " Did you not accompany Mr. Booth ? AVhere is your horse —Mr. Booth told me you had one ?" The man Avas very excited, and thought I had deceived him; and I then had fears for the party Avho had ridden on in advance, so I dismounted, gave my horse to Tauke, told him to ride as hard as he could, and try to overtake the force with Mr. Booth. He stared at me and said, " I have been deceived." I said, " No, go on and prevent the evil with your people;" so he got on my horse and galloped aAvay as hard as he could. The men on foot now came