A.—No. 10.

IN NATIVE DISTRICTS.

13

converging point of the roads thereabouts. The Waikatos drove Reibana and party before them to Tokangamutu, and ordered them to return home at once. Two or three days afterwards they received the news of the murders at the White Cliffs, which information was forwarded by Tamati. on the 21st, to Mr. Hettit, to send to me, and forwarded by me to you on the 24th ultimo. Tamati's letter, I regret to say, was misinterpreted by me in the hurry of forwarding. It should have been "by Wetere," (murders committed). The actual murderers at the White Cliffs were a half-caste lad, a son of an European named Frank Philips, residing at Mokau Heads ; Wetere, a son of the late Takerei, of Te Awakino, near Mokau ; Herewini, a son of the late Peketai, formerly residing at Waitara, subsequently of Mokau ; and Te Tana, of Mokau Heads. These four actually committed the murders. Mr. Whiteley was shot by Wetere, and not by Tahana, as stated in my letter No. 39. He was told to go back, and refused: his horse was then shot. Mr. Whiteley then sank on his knees and commenced praying. While so doing he was shot at twice by Wetere with a revolver, and missed. Wetere then went up close, and shot the unfortunate gentleman dead These murders, and more particularly Mr. Whiteley's, have caused a most profound sensation and feeling of regret throughout the district occupied by Tawhiao and the Waikatos. Neither Tawhiao, Tamati, nor Rewi left their houses for twenty-four hours after the news arrived. At the present, another meeting has been called at Tokangamutu, to which all the Waikatos and Ngatimaniapotos, including Reihana, Tikaokao, and Wetere, are bidden to attend ; at least, messengers are sent after them, but it is not known at Tokangamutu where they are. The subject to be discussed is peace or war. The whole of the AVaikatos are, I firmly believe, strongly inclined for peace ; but it is utterly impossible to say what may be the effect on their minds, of Reihana and party's warlike views. This openly declared war party does not at present exceed sixty men. The whole of the Natives, both Waikatos and Ngatimaniapotos, are now in an exceedingly excited state, and I look forward to the results of the meeting of the Natives at Tokangamutu with considerable anxiety. I have, so far as lies in my power, made use of all my friends to keep me informed of what takes place at Tokangamutu. I have also established a means of communication by messengers to Alexandra, and can now only trust that Tawhiao, Tamati, and the Waikatos will be firm in maintaining peace in this district. I have made every inquiry about Rewi's views, and am glad to be able to do him justice. He was reported to me to be the prime mover of the intended disturbance: lam now in a position to know that there was no truth in it. Rewi is a firm supporter of Tawhiao and his views, and one of the principal advocates for peace. I have not been able to obtain any news from Patetere respecting Hakaraia and Kereopa Kai Karu's intended movements. I have caused every inquiry to be made amongst the King's Natives, but cannot hear nor do I think that there is any communication between Tokangamutu and Patetere, or even between Reihana and Kereopa ; but I can very well suppose that if the former had been successful in his attack on Alexandra, that he would have been at once backed by the latter, as also by many others. I have, &c, Hon. Dr. Pollen, William N. Searancke, R.M., Resident Minister, Auckland. Waikato and Raglan. P.S.—I forgot to mention that Tawhiao has sent messengers to all the settlements between Te Kopua and Tokangamutu, to be on the alert, and not to allow any armed party to pass. W. N. Seaeascke.

BAT OF PLENTY. No. 14. Copy of a Letter from Mr. J. A. Wilson to the Hon. J. C. Richmond. (D. 214.) Civil Commissioner's Office, Sib,— Tauranga, 10th March, 1869. I have the honor to state that I returned from Taupo on the 7th instant, having seen all the principal loyal chiefs of the district, excepting such as occupy the southern shores of the lake. I also had an interview with Ilitiri, the Hauhau chief who disputes Te Tatua block, and I had a conversation with Hera, the wife of Manuera, of Rotoaira, who had been sent by her husband to visit Te Pohipi Tukairangi, for the purpose probably of obtaining information. I found on my arrival at Oruanui that Te Poihipi and others had " katied " all intercourse between the loyal Natives and the Hauhaus at Taupo. I immediately removed the kati, reminding them of the frequently expressed wish of the Government that Taupo should remain undisturbed, and showing how a kati would operate against their own interests in and out of the Native Land Court. In excuse for their proceedings they produced a letter written by Mr. McLean, dated 7th January, 1809; but on perusing it I found they had misapprehended that gentleman's meaning, and I pointed out their mistake. The loyal Natives admitted the force of all I said, and promised to observe the wish of the Government in future. But the secret of our allies' restlessness, in my opinion, is, that they are tired of the state of uncertainty they are in. The same may be said of the Arawa, who chafe and wish to terminate the suspense they feel. The Ngatikahununu had been invited by our Taupo friends to come and assist in conquering their Hauhau neighbours—a project which lof course vetoed —and yet I forbode a general war will be thrust upon us in these parts. I found Hitiri and the woman Hera very uncommunicative. The former said he should stop the main road from Ohinemutu to Taupo at Te Niho-o-te-kiori. I warned him not to do so, and he then appeared to hesitate : "At least," he said, " after the Court is over you will know what I intend to do." I could not obtain any Hauhau news from him. I saw the fires of the great Hauhau meeting at Moerangi on the 2nd instant, about fifteen miles off, as I stood on the North Shore of Lake Taupo, 4