Letter VI.

To go back to my relation of events. Very shortly after the outbreak at Taranaki on May 4th, 1863, the Governor returned to Auckland. Here he was soon made aware of an alarming state of affairs, which threw the Taranaki outbreak into the shade, and compelled him to recall General Cameron, and to concentrate nearly all his forces in the neighbourhood of Auckland, which was threatened with an immediate attack by the Waikato tribes. Information poured in from all sides that those tribes had ordered the insurrection, and directed the murders at Taranaki, and that they were preparing for an immediate advance upon Auckland. In short, the whole power of the King party was about to try its strength with the British Government. The following extracts from papers laid by the Governor before the Colonial Assembly will shew what was the character of the threatened invasion, and how imminent it became immediately after the outbreak at Taranaki:—

Copy of Despatch from Governor Sir George Grey, K.C.B., to His Grace the Duke of Newcastle, Auckland, New Zealand,

July 4th, 1863.

My Lord Duke,

I have the honour to transmit copies of the letters named in the margin, which I have received from various persons, warning me of the present intentions of the Natives inhabiting the district which borders the Waikato river, and which adjoins most populous and wealthy part of the province of Auckland. These letters are selected as coming from the most trustworthy sources, but I have received much additional information all to the same purport.

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2. It has now been clearly proved that some of the chiefs of Waikato ordered the recent murders at Taranaki, and that, being thus responsible for them, they have determined to support the people who carried out the orders which they issued. For this purpose they are quite prepared to attack this populous district, and even to commit similar murders here.......

I have, &c.,

G. Grey.

The Rev. B. Y. Ashwell to the Bishop of New Zealand. Taupiri,

June 30th, 1863.

My Lord Bishop,

The Waikato tribes are now engaged I fear in a runanga puku, and that ere long some sudden outbreak will take place...

Numerous messengers are gone through the country to excite, I believe, a general rise. I have told you nearly all I know. Under these circumstances great vigilance is necessary. I wish all the Natives about or in the neighbourhood of Auckland were away.

I have, &c.,

B. Y. Ashwell.

Copy of Despatch from Governor Sir George Grey, K.C.B., to His Grace the Duke of Newcastle, K.G. Government House, Auckland,

July 11th, 1863

My Lord Duke,

Adverting to my Despatch No. 72, of the 4th July last, upon the subject of a plan laid by some of the Waikato tribes and their adherents to attack the Auckland district, I have now the honour to transmit the documents named in the margin, shewing how completely this plan was matured, and how determined and bloodthirsty were the intentions of some of the most evil-disposed amongst the leaders of the Waikato tribes.

I have, &c.,

G. Grey.

His Grace the Duke of Newcastle, K.G.

July 3rd, 1863.

O_____,—

Listen to what I have to say. I have just heard evil news. I will not hide the evil from you, my parents. Hearken. The tribes of this island intend making an attack upon Auckland. This has been decided upon all over the island. All the chiefs of the island have given their consent. An attack will be made: be on your guard, as to Auckland, every day this month. Keep on your guard during July and August. Let all Auckland be on the alert throughout all its boundaries. The cause is sympathy for Taranaki. Friends, Te_____and Te_____, salutations. This is my word to you. Be kind to me, and keep my name carefully concealed. Were it known that I had sent this letter to you, the payment would be myself.

Don't tell_____, lest my name should become known. Tell this to the Governor, that all Auckland may be warned, and request him also to keep my name concealed: keep me quite secret. If my name were heard of, this would be my last day. See to it you, that warning is given; but keep my name secret from Pakeha and Maori. Keep my name concealed; but beware of Hauraki, of Kaipara, and of the Ngapuhi.

If nothing happens, still keep my name secret; whether there is good or evil, conceal my name. Pray earnestly to God for me. Enough.

From your loving Son,

From_____.

To Te_____.

Raglan,

July 4th, 1863.

Friend, salutations.

Friend_____has not yet stayed at Whaingaroa (Raglan), because of the disturbed state of Waipa.

O_____,listen to what I have to say. Paora Kina and Aporo Tunua have come to Tamehana Tarapipipi to get his consent, and he has consented to an attack upon the In, and even to include the town of Auckland (or he has consented to the people of the In being killed, the slaughter to extend even to the town of Auckland). The letters for the killing of you Pakehas have been sent to all Hauraki. We have here the information. It is not on page 29 account of Aporo, but that the King may prevail, and not be altogether done away with.

Friend, these are your men who went to urge war. Enough.

From_____.

Send my letter that the Governor may see it. Raglan,

July 6th, 1863.

Friend,

Salutations to you; this is my word to you and Te_____. Be on your guard, all of you. Listen. The minds of New Zealand are rising about Auckland, Otahuhu, Tauranga (Drury), Rama-rama, Pukeahau, Pokeno, Te la, and the Soldiers' pas at Waiuku. This talk is from the chiefs of Manukau. That talk has been arranged at Waikato. With the Ngatimaniapoto at Eangiawhia, at Maungatautari with Te Ori Ori, at Tamahere with Tamehana and the Ngatihaua, at Ngaruawahia, with Matutaera.

All these tribes are determined upon evil. The men who arranged this are Paora Kina and Aporo, of Ngatitamaoho. This talk is from_____. It was brought by his son_____, and the letter for Tamehana, and the other to hold a meeting_____ is to be sent to arrange an attack upon Auckland, or upon Raglan. The Ngatiteata and Ngatitamaoho are to attack Waiuku. If this communication reaches you, keep_____name secret, and mine also; but let the Governor know of this. This is not on account of Aporo, but lest the King should be humbled. We shall remain in Raglan. Enough,

Memorandum by Mr. Fulloon.

Shortly after the cessation of hostilities at Taranaki, in 1861, the Waikatos organized a plan of operations, in the event of a misunderstanding arising with the Government, as they fully believed at the time that the Government was going to press them for the part that they had taken in the Taranaki war, and also against the King movement.

This opinion was shortly after confirmed, when His Excellency Colonel Gore Browne issued his Manifesto, May 21st, 1861, by which they understood that negotiations would cease on the 3lst August, and that war would be declared, and Waikato invaded, on the 1st September 1861.

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The plan of operation was, as near as I can remember, for the whole of Waikato to come down in a body to Maramarua, and proceed up that river to a place called Paparata, in the Tirikohua district, making that place their head-quarters.

From thence parties were to proceed and occupy the following positions, viz.—Maketu (situated behind Drury: to the right of the coal-mines, there is an old war track from Maketu to Paparata), the Razorback, Pukewhau (overlooking Baird's farm), and Tuhimata. The Razorback and Pukewhau have direct and partly independent tracks to the Maketu and Paparata war-paths. The parties at the Razorback and Pukewhau were to destroy the bridges on the Great South Road, and those at Tuhimata were to observe and oppose any military movement that might be made against them.

The party at Maketu (which was to be a strong one) were to maraud the Drury and Papakura districts.

The Ngatipou were to concentrate the whole of their force at Tuakau, and from thence attack the Patumahoe and Waiuku settlers. The Ngatiteata taking no active part.

This was the first plan: afterwards it was altered as to the plan of attack; namely, after the troops had invaded Waikato, the Natives were to assemble at the back of Maketu, and another party were to assemble near Te Whau. The Thames Natives were to meet in the neigbourhood of Taupo, and upon a given day some Natives (living in town for that purpose) would fire Auckland at different points, and, whilst the citizens were extinguishing the conflagration, the assault was to be made both by sea and by land. The Natives fully believed that they could have accomplished their design, and the "Puku o te weke "would have been theirs; and that they could have moved from their rendezvous without its becoming known to the Government.

There were certain houses and persons to have been saved; the dwellings were to be recognised by a white cross upon all the doors, a native to mark the houses on the same night that the towa was to be attacked.

The attack was not to have been confined to Auckland alone. It was to have taken place simultaneously all over the island. It was intended to have been a general war against the Pakeha, and to have taken place upon the 1st September 1861.

It was the news that His Excellency Sir George Grey was page 31 coming to succeed Colonel Gore Browne that averted the general rising of the Natives.

By what I have been able to ascertain, the plan Waikato intends to follow out now is the one that I have first described.

At the time that these plans were organized, most of our friends were made acquainted with what was intended, but they did not think it worth their while to inform the Government, and some even promised to assist. I believe Wiremu Nero Te Awaitaia was the only man that acquainted the Government of it, shortly after he was requested to join the conspiracy.

A Mr. Hurst, of H.M. 12th Begiment (lately acting as engineer upon the Great South Road), has been over all the war-paths that I have mentioned, and has made rough surveys of the country during his rambles.

James Fulloon.

Auckland,

June 20th, 1863.

Immediately after the commencement of hostilities in Waikato, William Thompson wrote a letter to Archdeacon Brown (by whom he had been educated), from which the following is an extract:—

Otorokai, Matama,

July 26th, 1863.

To Archdeacon Browk,

Salutations. Friend, hearken. The reasons are many that induced me to go and view the work between the Waikato and the Governor.

This is a word of mine to you, to let you know my views. I shall spare neither unarmed people nor property.......

Father, listen. I have consented to attack the whole of the town. If they prove the strongest, well and good. If the Maoris prove the strongest, this is how it will be: the unarmed people will not be left. Enough. You hear what I say. This turns.

From your son,

William Thompson Te Waharoa.

To Archdeacon Brown.

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He afterwards wrote an explanation of the above, as follows:—

Meremere,

August 22nd, 1863.

To_____,

Salutation. Tour question about my word to Brown, (Archdeacon) of Tauranga, has reached me. My word is quite true as regards the town (Auckland), but not as regards Tauranga. Listen to me: it is my purpose to reach the town. If the Governor gains the day, well. If my battle in the open day fails, how can it be helped? If I gain the, day there will be no swerving from the word which was spoken to Brown.

O, I shall not fight with the soldiers of the Ia, but I am now assembling (my men): when all are assembled, I shall then attack the town. That part (of my forces) which have gone off to the hills are six hundred in number. The only forces I am now awaiting are (the men of) Ngaiterangi, and Kawhia. They have not yet arrived. These are the forces I am now awaiting. This ends.

This is my plan.

W. Tamihana.

August 1st, 1863.

Sir

On this very day I came to Waikato with all my tribe. I have a word to say to you about my letter to the minister Brown; a warning from me to you, to bring to the town the defenceless, lest they be killed at their farms in the country. But you are well acquainted with the customs of the Maori race.

The documents above given were, it will be observed, all written previously to the commencement of hostilities in Waikato, except Thompson's letters, which were written within a few days after that event, and are sufficiently clear as to his intentions. Many other similar warnings from friendly natives and Missionaries were received at the same period, all proving beyond it doubt that the threatened advance upon Auckland by the Waikato tribes was imminent, and that not an hour was to be lost in taking steps to repel it.