A.—No. 10.

16

REPORTS PROM OPPICERS

seat stepped on shore, the woman still urging him to give her the gun, and at last taking hold of it. At this moment Hemi stepped forward and snatched the gun away, and Eangiaho sprang forward and struck Mr. Pitcairn on the left side of the head, driving the tomahawk into his brain. One or two more blows were given, and then the body was dragged into the hut, everything worth removing packed up, and the party returned to A\ rhakarae, taking the woman and the others with them. During the same night the TJpokoreho were surprised at Hokianga and made prisoners and taken before Te Kooti. The next day, the 3rd, Miria and her companions were taken before Te Kooti, who told them that he did not intend to interfere with "Whakatane, the centre of the waters of Ohiwa being the boundary ; but he would set his face eastward, and take each place in detail as far as the East Cape —and that they might return to their people, as he would not harm those who did not oppose him. They left at once, nnd reached Ohope in the evening. Miria estimates To Kooti's force at 200 strong, and thinks that he would retire for a short distance to place his prisoners in safety ; she states that she heard Te Kooti say that he had come by Eakuraku's invitation. Xo fires have been seen since yesterday, and whether the enemy are in the Waimana or whether they are advancing on this place or Whakatane bv a circuitous route, I cannot tell. Mr. Pitcairn's body has been brought to the Arawa pa, and will be brought here to-morrow for the purpose of inquest and proper burial. I have, &c, W. G. Maib, J. A. Wilson, Esq., Tauranga. Eesident Magistrate.

Enclosure 4 in No. 15. Copy of a Letter from Dr. jSTesbitt to Mr. J. A. Wilson. Sib,— Whakatane, sth March, 18G9. 1 have the honor to inform you that the report of the murder of Mr. Pitcairn is too true. I got the following statement from Mr. Simpkins, who had it from Miria, the wife of Apanui; she was in Bakuraku'a pa when Te Kooti took it, and heard all that passed:— On Monday, Ist, Mr. Pitcairn called on Mr. Simpkins for goods for his men; he had been working at Te Waimana, but had received a letter from Mr. Mair saying that Te Kooti had left the Opotiki district, and it was not known where he had gone to. Mr. Pitcairn took up his quarters on Monday on an island in the harbour of Ohiwa, and went out to shoot on Tuesday. Te Kooti's party had arrived at Eakuraku's pa on Sunday night, took it without opposition, and made prisoners of every one on it. He then asked if there were any Europeans about there, and Eakuraku's party answered there was one, a surveyor. Ho then told off a party of twenty men, ten of Eakuraku's (amongst whom were some of Mr. Pitcairn's own men), and ten of his own people. These men pulled to the island and laid in ambush till evening, previously having sent a man named Nathan to the house to reconnoitre. This Nathan was one of Mr. Pitcairn's own men, and had got goods on Monday for Mr. Pitcairn at Mr. Simpkins' store; he asked Mr. Pitcairn's housekeeper where he was ; she said he was out shooting. Mr. Pitcairn returned about dusk, and as he landed from the canoe the woman asked him for his gun, which ho refused to give up, and went towards his house. On his way to the house he was seized by a man named Hemi Kakitu, who took the gun from him and threw him down ; he was then struck on the left side of the head by Eangiaho. Mr. Simpkins thinks, from the nature of the wound, it must have been inflicted with a mere or some blunt instrument; he also has a very deep wound in the face, apparently inflicted with a very sharp instrument. Those were the only wounds, and he was dressed as he came out of the canoe; he was not mutilated. Mr. Simpkins went yesterday, at considerable risk, and induced the Arawas to bring over the body, and he had it buried near the pa. His arms, ammunition, gold watch, and goods that he had taken from Whakatane the day previous, were taken, also his instruments. Te Kooti is still at Eakuraku's pa, with 200 men; there are said to be 100 more further back in the bush. He said it was his intention to attack the Arawa pa last night: his party are quite visible from the pa of the latter. Te Kooti has completely recovered from his wounds, if he ever had any ; he has taken fifty stand of arms from Eakuraku's party, and a large quantity of ammunition. The woman says 1110 entire party were well armed. It is probable Major Mair has communication with the Arawas by this time. I purpose going to Ohiwa to-morrow, and shall report further to you. I send this to-morrow, in order that some arrangement may be made to send assistance to the Arawa at Ohiwa. I have, &c, W. K. Nesbht. The Civil Commissioner, Tauranga.

Enclosure 5 in No. 15. Copy of a Letter from Dr. Nesbitt to Mr. J. A. Wilsox. Sib,— Maketu, Bth March, 1869. I have the honor to inform you that I went to Ohiwa on Saturday, and saw the woman Miria on my way ; she confirmed in all substantial particulars the report I sent you from Whakatane of Mr. Pitcairn's murder. The body was removed on Saturday evening to Opotiki. There were then sixty men in the pa at Ohiwa, and they considered themselves quite able to protect themselves from an attack by Te Kooti, but not strong enough to attack him ; he was supposed still to occupy Eakuraku's pa, although I could not see any indications of a large body of men in the pa, which is visible from and within five miles of the pa of the Arawa. They think Te Kooti has about 300 men with him, including Eakuraku's party.