AEEAIRS ON THE WEST COAST.

5

A—No. 13.

way to Patea to return or remain at Opunake, until ho, Hone Pihama, had been to Waihi to ascertain further particulars in reference to the murders. On Thursday last Wiremu Kingi came along the coast and met three Europeans on their way to Patea, when he told them of the news he had received from Hone Pihama, and recommended them to return, which advice they adopted, and arrived in New Plymouth Friday evening with the news, without the particulars. On Saturday evening Hone Pihama arrived from Waihi direct, from whom we obtained full particulars, and also brought letters from Mr. Booth and others. Two gentlemen had got so far as Oeo when the news was received there (Mr. Richmond Hursthouse and a Mr. Ilaigh). Hone Pihama stopped them at his place until he had been himself to Waihi, and on returning therefrom he sent two men with them so far as Waingongoro. As Hone Pihama was coming along the Taranaki coast ho saw several parties of the different sections of tho Natives of that district, with whom he conversed about the murders, when all of them professed their astonishment and disapproval. Yesterday I sent Mahau inland of Mataitawa to see a party of returned rebels, who came there to settle last season. They had not heard of the murders, and pronounced it to bo an act of the Ngutu-o-te-Manu Natives, without any reference whatever to other tribes. They promised Mahau to keep him informed of any movements which would be likely to disturb the settlers about Mataitawa, Te Arei, and Manutahi, which they said was not likely to take place, as it was not a concerted plan of any other tribes for an "Aranga mo te patu" (a rising to slay). I have sent to Taranaki for Patara, from whom I hope to ascertain what effect it is likely to have upon the late disaffected tribes of the Taranaki district. More and party, from Tokangamutu, are still inland of Warea, and I have sent them a message through Patara, recommending them to como through the town when they return North, as More censured the Ngutu-o-te-Manu Natives for taking the horses of Europeans. Tahana, one of our Assessors, leaves to-day with Hone Pihama for Te Kauwae, for the purpose of obtaining information as to the complicity of Titokowaru in the murder of the three Europeans, and also any other information which might be useful as to their future intentions, because it is currently reported that the three unfortunate Europeans were murdered to revenge the treatment of some of their people when the restitution of the stolen horses was attempted, which report, if untrue, should be contradicted, in order to check a growing sympathy for the perpetrators of such diabolical murders. This unfortunate occurrence will tend to make our out-settlers feel very insecure and uncomfortable, but I will use all vigilance in obtaining information as to tho probability of its affecting the security of this district. I have, &c, The Hon. Minister for Native Affairs, R. Paeeis, Wellington. Civil Commissioner. P.S.—I have received letters from the Tangahoe Tribe and from Te Kauwae Natives, promising to protect the settlers, and Mr. Booth has informed me that the Pakakohis have promised to do the same. —R.P.

No. 5. Copy of a Letter from Mr. R. Paeeis to the Hon. the Native Ministee. (No. 192.) Sic,— New Plymouth, 29th June, 1868. I have the honor to report, for the information of His Excellency's Government, that during the past week there has been considerable excitement in this district, caused by a report that the Mataitawa settlers had been ordered to leave the district by Natives living at Kairoa, close to a settler by namo Davis. On Wednesday last I went to Manutahi and Kairoa, accompanied by His Honor the Superintendent, Mahau, Tahana, Kipa, and a policeman, for the purpose of ascertaining what had given rise to the report, when we found that Mrs. Davis had been talking to the Natives about the murders at Ketemarae, and expressed some fear of their own safety in that district; in answer to which, the Native Tamati Teito told her that if she was greatly afraid, she could go with her fear. The husband, Mr. Davis, mentioned what had taken place to some settlers nearer Manutahi, when a report was got up which alarmed the district, to the effect that the settlers had been warned off by armed Natives ; and later, it was reported that some of Davis's family had been killed. Some of the Manutahi settlers recommended Mr. Davis to bring away his wife and family, and on Monday they commenced to pack up some things to leave, when the Natives finding that they meant it, stopped them, and recommended them to remain until they had heard from me. Tamati Teito wrote me a short letter in answer to one I had sent him, and sent it by Matiu of the Hua, who with others was on a visit to the Kairoa Natives at the time. He also sent me a message, that as the Pakehas were afraid, they were also afraid that we should be sending forces into the district, and make it unpleasant to live there. Mr. Davis and his wife, both of them, spoke in the highest terms of the behaviour of the Natives at Kairoa since they have been living there for the last year, but fancied their manner had been slightly different since tho affair of the murders at Ketemarae; an imaginary feeling quite excusable under the circumstances, but so far as I could discover, there was not the slightest ground for it. The Natives assured us that they were of opinion that the Ngaruahine Natives at Te Ngutu-o-te-Manu would not come into that district; that if they did, they would endeavour to give the settlers timely warning. The same day, as we were at Kairoa, the Pukerangiora Natives came in with Mr. Ivey to see me about a road that gentleman wants through their reserve. These Natives were very much surprised to hear the report current in the town about the settlers having been ordered away. The chief Nepe is also of opinion that the Southern Natives will not bring hostilities into the district of the Ngatiawas without their sanction, which, so far as ho knew at present, would not be given. I have engaged him to go inland and see Hapurona and his people, to find out what their feeling is in reference to the late murders and to hostilities being brought into this district. 2