The Gunpowder Merchant.

Another document shown me is worth quoting because it indicates the extent to which firearms were used by the Maoris in the old bush days and the means by which it reached them. It reads as follows:—

“Native Secretary's Office.

Auckland, December 31, 1860.

The letter is signed by Donald Maclean (afterwards Sir Donald), the Native Secretary. Maclean and Maning were old friends. It is to be noted here that Maning had always before him the possibility of the Northern Maoris being called upon to assist the Government against the King Party tribes in Waikato and elsewhere, and that at the date of this letter the Taranaki war was proceeding. Ostensibly the Hokianga and other northern chiefs were being supplied with ammunition for pigeon shooting, but Maning—as will be seen from a letter to be published later—privately appreciated the likelihood of making other “pigeons” the targets for Te Rarawa and Ngapuhi tupara (double-barrelled guns).