TO NATIVE AFFAIRS.

15

A.—No. 16.

Whilst at the Kauwau, Titokowaru showed Hapurona two letters brought from Tokangamutu by his brother Rapata Te Nuku. One of the letters was from Rewi, inviting Titokowaru to go to Tokangamutu, in which was this sentence—■" haere mai tenei te tiaki te papa hapuku." The other letter was from Hakaraia of Urewera, inviting him to Tokangamutu to attend a large meeting to be held there soon. Titokowaru said he had also received a letter from Te Kooti, which he burnt in consequence of his conduct after returning from Tokangamutu to Taupo, where he is said to have ordered a treacherous night attack upon a Native village whilst the inhabitants were asleep, by sending seventy men into the place with orders to spare none, and take all arms and ammunition. Rapata To Nuku, Titokowaru's brother, on returning from Tokangamutu had gone to visit a relative living at the village at Taupo, said to have been occupied by Te Heu Heu's people, and was in it tho night it was attacked, and with some others made their escape. The reason assigned for Te Kooti's onslaught upon the inhabitants of the Taupo village is, that whilst he was at Tokangamutu the Waikatos proposed to take him by strategy and kill him, but that the king on the proposal being submitted to him objected by saying " I am not an advocate for taking life, but wish to save it." That Te Kooti on hearing of the proposal of Waikato, determined to revenge the insult, which he executed upon the unfortunate victims at the Taupo village by killing eighty men, women, and children. This is the report brought by Rapata Te Nuku to Ngatimaru, which, if true, the Government will no doubt have heard of before. I have, &c, The Native Under Secretary, Wellington. R. Parris, Civil Commissioner.

No. 14. Native Meeting held at Freemason's Hale, New Plymouth, September 28, 1869. His Excellency the Governor, accompanied by the Hon. Mr. McLean, Capt. Pitt, A.D.C., Rev. Archdeacon Govett and Mr. Parris entered the Hall at 2 p.m. The Natives rose en masse and saluted His Excellency, who returned the salute. Mr. McLean requested the residents of the place, the Natives, to speak first. Tahana rose and welcomed His Excellency the Governor and Mr. McLean with the usual salutations and said, Tou have come to see Mr. Parris's people. Mr. Parris has done us a great deal of good ; now that you have come we expect that you will do us a great deal more good, that is all I have to say. Poharama: Welcome Governor and Mr. McLean. If you have come to join all three peoples together (Europeans, loyal and rebel Natives) you are very welcome. Tamati Waka : Welcome, welcome, you have come here to see us and we have gathered here, at the request of Mr. Parris, to meet you O Governor and Mr. McLean. I hope you have come to smooth our path. If you catch a wild pig in the bush and bring it into the village, you can tame it. Henare Matene : Welcome O Governor and Mr. McLean. Tou have seen wild birds, wild beasts, and wild cattle tamed by being placed with tame ones. Let the sun shine over all, from the sky right down to the earth, and let peace reign for ever. Bapata Ngarongomate : Welcome 0 Governor. Tou are the head of all the people of New Zealand. If you tell me to go and catch Te Whiti I will go and try. If you say no I will stop where lam ; it rests with you to speak. Tou are the head of all. Wi Kingi Matakatea : Welcome O Governor, Mr. McLean welcome. O friend of old days you are come with the Governor to save me. Matiu te Hina : Welcome O Governor. Come and visit this place and see your Maori friends. It is for you to keep everything quiet. Komene : Welcome, welcome, welcome. I was a bad man in old days; when Moturoa and Taranaki were sold I was very obstinate. lam different now. O Governor it is not for me to say to William King or Te Whiti, come back, it is for you to speak. Where are they to reside? Everything is dark here, it is for you to bring light. Welcome. Te Waka: Welcome O Governor and Mr. McLean. I also am a bad man, (he then sang a Waiata). An arrow after striking the ground sometimes rebounds. I have been evil but I am not now. Bangiruhi: Welcome 0 Governor and Mr. McLean. I also have been a bad man. If you are come to save us save me as well as the others. Welcome. Tou, O Governor, be the sun to shine over us all. Tou are the man under God delegated to save us. Te Bopiha Haungenge sang a Waiata of welcome. Tou are come to see us 0 Governor; before you came Mr. Parris was Governor. Niko Eaeawaka : The usual salutations. 0 Governor the sun is beginning to shine, you must make it shine brighter, then if will set well for us all. Bamelca : Welcome 0 Governor, welcome. Cause the sun to shine over Ngatiawa and Taranaki, these are my tribes.

No. 15. Mr. Parris to the Hon. the Native Minister. New Plymouth, Sir,— November 2, 1869. Herewith enclosed I have the honor to forward a copy of a letter received from the Chief Porikapa, and for your information to explain that on Eriday last a written statement (copy also enclosed) of a man on pay at the Okato blockhouse, was received at the Militia Office, which Major Stapp brought to me.