G.—ll.

2

(Telegram.) " Patea, 21st September, 1878. " Man of Fraser's survey party found shot dead, supposed by Natives, as powder and bullets taken from camp. Eraser (my partner) was surveying Momohaki Block, near Wairoa, for Government. — Edw. Tregear.—The Hon. the Native Minister, Wellington." You will be good enough to let me know anything that may have come to your knowledge respecting this matter other than as contained in the foregoing telegrams. Information particularly required on the following points: Whether or not the offence may be regarded as a murder pure and simple, or as having any connection with the surveys now going on. Secondly, whether any rumours had previously reached you indicating any intention on the part of any body of Natives to commit such au act of violeuce. Whether the alleged offender is known to you ; also, his character aud position in tho tribe. Whether you have received any information as to the direction in which he is supposed to have fled. Whether any alarm exists among tho European inhabitants of your district in consequence of this offence. Please note that the following offices will be open all day: Wellington, Wanganui, Waitotara, Waverley, Patea, Hawera, and Opunake. His right name is Wiremu Hiroki. He is a Waikato, married to a Pipiriki woman, and has no claim to the land. Waitotara Natives imagine that he will make for Waikato. He is a stiff built young man, a little over five feet high, without hair or tatoo on his face. The name of an ancestor is tatooed on right arm. Any important particulars that you may receive that will throw any light on the commission of the offence or the movements of the supposed murderer should be wired to the other offices at once. J. Sheehan.

No. 5. Telegrams from the Hon. the Native Minister. Wellington, 22nd September, 1878. To Captain Wilson, Hawera. —Eepeat copy of wire to E. Woon, E.M.—J. Sheehan. Wellington, 22nd September, 1878. To Deputy-Inspector, Police, Wanganui.—Eepeat copy of wire to E. Woon, E.M. —J. Sheehan. Wellington, 22nd September, 1878. To Constable, Police, Waitotara. —Eepeat copy of wire to E. Woon, E.M. —J. Sheehan. Wellington, 22nd September, 1878. To J. Southcombe, Waitotara. —Eepeat copy of wire to E. Woon, E.M.—J. Sheehan. Wellington, 22nd September, 1878. To Constable Burrows, Waverley. —Eepeat copy of wire to E. Woon, E.M. —J. Sheehan. Wellington, 22ud September, 1878. To Officer in charge A.C., Opunake.—Eepeat copy of wire to E. Woon, E.M.—J. Sheehan. (Telegram.) Government Buildings, 22nd September, 1878. To Chief Officer of Police, Waitara. —Forward accompanying telegram to Eewi Maniapoto by special messengers to Waihi as soon as received. J. Sheehan. [Translation.] Government Buildings, 22nd September, 1878. To Eewi Maniapoto, Patea.—l have just received a telegraphic message from the surveyor who is surveying Momohaki, Patea. lam inquiring into the matter, and I will let you know further to-morrow. This is the surveyor's telegram : " Man of Eraser's survey party found shot dead, supposed by Natives, as powder and bullets taken from camp. Eraser (my partner) was surveying Momohaki Block, near Wairoa, for Government. —E. Tregeau." J. Sheehan. [Translation.] Wellington, 22nd September, 1878. To Hone Pihama, Wanganui.—The Ngarauru will meet me to-day at my house. The object of their meeting is to repudiate any complicity on their part in the murder of the European who was killed at Momohaki. With regard to Hiroki, they say that he is not a Ngarauru, and that there was no question affecting the land to cause that murder. Now, I think that the Pakaraka people should meet, aud that they ought to repudiate any complicity in the murder. This will then put matters clear between the Europeans and the Natives. The Telegraph Offices are open now at Wellington, Wanganui, Waitotara, Patea, AVaverley, Opunake. If you hear news wire to me. J. SnEEHAN. [Translation.] Wellington, 22nd September, 1878. To Te Huritau Hurutara, Papatupu, Waitotara. —Telegraph to me all that you know about the murder of the European —the cook of the surveyors at Papatupu. J. Sheehan,