PAPERS RELATIVE TO HOROWHENUA,

19

P.—No. S.

No. 66. The Hon. D. McLean to the Bishop op Wellington. (Telegram.) Napier, 13th July, 1871. Thanks for suggestion to send Edwards to remain in disturbed district. It will be acted upon. I will let you know presently if the leading chiefs of this place will go. Eenata has just come in. Donald McLean.

No. 67. Eenata Kawepo and Noa Te Hui to Matene Te Whiwhi. (Telegram.) Napier, 13th July, 1871. We have heard that you are disputing with Ngatiawa. Mr. McLean has asked us both to go there. Do not allow this trouble to take place, but let it be settled by the Court, because we now conform to the laws of the European and have given up our fighting customs.* Persist in your forbearance. Eenata Kawepo. Noa Te Hui.

No. 68. Mr. J. A. Knocks to the Hon. D. McLean. (Telegram.) Otaki, 13th July, 1871. The excitement occasioned by some bouncing language used by Kawana Hunia to a Muaupoko man named Mana, who was not willing to go into his pa, has subsided. The words used were expressive of hostile intentions to the Ngatiraukawa, which are now denied by Te Keepa and Hunia; as also the Ngatiraukawa state they are willing for a runanga to be held of Queen's and pakehas to settle the dispute, and are anxious that you should be one of the Europeans for both sides, and wish it to be held as soon as possible. J. A. Knocks.

No. 69. Wi Tako Ngatata and others to Ihaia Porutu. To Ihaia Porutu,— Waikanae, 11th July, 1871. Friend, —Salutations to you and your relatives. This is to inform you that an attack by these men, Hunia and Te Keepa, upon Ngatiraukawa, is imminent. At 2 o'clock this morning a messenger came to us. We had no sleep all night. In the night the Ngatiraukawa started for Horowhenua. Do you give heed: these tribes will suffer. Not to-day (Tuesday), but probably on Wednesday the Ngatiapa, Whanganui, and Ngatiraukawa will fall. Friend, the Ngatiraukawa have borne a great deal. Tou will be furnished with further information. Let your relatives and the Government see and, together with your European friends, decide upon some plan, and let us know it. The proposal of Ngatiraukawa to have a judicial investigation into the case has not met with favour at the hands of Kemp and Hunia, and so now it has been agreed to fight. Last night Horowhenua was full of the Ngatiraukawa. That is all the information we have to give you, the runanga of Ngatiawa. Wi Tako Ngatata, And others.

No. 70. Mr. H. Halse to the Hon. D. McLean. (Telegram.) Wellington, 13th July, 1871. Wi Tako writes to Ihaia Porutu (date of letter, 11th July) stating that an attack by Hunia and Te Keepa upon Ngatiraukawa is imminent. On night of 11th, Ngatiraukawa started for Horowhenua. He says the Ngatiraukawa have borne a great deal; that their proposal to have a judicial investigation into the case has not met with favour at the hands of Kemp and Hunia, so now it has been agreed to fight. Last night, Horowhenua was full of Ngatiraukawa. Ihaia brought the letter to Native Office this morning. Te Watene also writes on same subject, and says that efforts have been made to settle the dispute, and believes that the muzzle of the gun will be used by Kemp and Hunia, who say that the law will not be able to condemn them should they slay those with whom they are disputing. The dispute being about a Maori boundary line, asks for assistance in men. By order. H. Halse.

No. 71. Mete Kingi to Matene Te Whiwhi and others. To Matene (Te Whiwhi), Karanama, and Tamihana, — Putiki, 15th July, 1871. Friend, —Salutations to you who are living at your kaingas. This is a question I ask you. What do you think about the work of Hunia and Te Keepa? Let me know ; because we have received a letter from Te Keepa (saying) that it will not be long before Ngatiraukawa will fire upon them. Friends, this is my word to you: work it by the law; turn to the Government; do as you did in the Eangitikei case, when we consumed the money and you got back the land. Do not fight. I will now * Telegram repeated to Kawana Hunia and Meiha Keepa, Horowhenua, as far as the part marked thus (*).