Mr T. H. Smith, Civil Commissioner, Bay of Plenty, told me about a fortnight ago in the presence of Mr Whitaker that all the natives of that district North of Tauranga might be considered as King natives—that they are in fact Wm. Thompson's people—and more or less implicated in this war. That most of them to the South of Tauranga have hitherto been loyal and kept out of the war. Mr Edward Clark, a settler at Tauranga, is assured that Rawiti, a leading chief of the southern natives, is now about to join the rebels with his people. He has openly said he would, and was lately met by Mr Clark with some of the leading Kingites, and seemed ashamed of being found in their company. The Mayor Island or Flat Island natives had gone to the war. W. Thompson has lately had emissaries in the Bay of Plenty, stirring up the natives there to join him with reinforcements. Archdeacon Brown does not think he will get much support, except from those who have been in Waikato already, and the Mayor and Flat Islanders who now join for the first time.

From conversation with Mr Smith, Mr Clark and Mr Faulkner, I had come to the conclusion that all the natives on the Auckland side of Tauranga Harbour are engaged in the rebellion, and that they are connected with Wm. Thompson—in fact part of his people —and that they have for the most part been engaged in active hostilities.

John Faulkner, of Tauranga, said:—

“I have been in New Zealand thirty-one years. I married a native of New Zealand. I have recently come from Tauranga because it is not safe to stay there. The Tauranga natives are divided into two parties. Those on the East side of the harbour have not gone to the war. They are divided in opinion; part want to go to the war and part to remain at home. Those on the West side have all gone to the war, every man except the old men. They are connected with Thompson. He has a sort of hold on them. A part of the natives have been planting in the forest as a standby, expecting something would be done at Tauranga by the Government.”

Daniel Sellars said:—

“I have been trading to Tauranga these last twelve years. I came up from there about a week ago. The natives on the West side of the harbour are all King natives. There is not a village that has not sent its contingent to the war. When I was there a week ago many were going, and many were there already. A few were left to cut the crops.”