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reason for what you are doing, as there are many reports as to what the militia are intended for, and which we are glad to know are false. Perhaps you are right as to the intention of the Government, but we have reason to doubt the Europeans. We intend to have soldiers at the same time as you. I speak for myself, I cannot answer for others. The Whanganuis, for instance, I have no influence with them. I will now end by telling you, as the head of the Province, to keep the militia away from the Coast.

Heremia—We acknowledge the truth of what you say, and are much pleased, but keep away the Militia from Porirua along the East Coast to Whangaéhu; if they are moved on the Coast, there will be war. I tell you we have received a letter from the King to commence war at once on the Europeans; the Waikatos are to send men to different points; at that time war is to commence. Your questions require thought. I will answer them at our meeting at Otaki. I will give my European neighbours notice when they must leave, you need not fear murder, it cannot be done without our knowledge. No war party can come from Waikato without our knowledge. We have too many friends there. I am a bad man, attend to what I have said, keep away the militia.

Wiremu Tamihana Te Heke said to Heremia:—Explain what you mean by when the Waikatos show themselves at Upper Wanganni and Otaki, you will then warn the Europeans to leave? Heremia replied, I mean when they make their appearance at those places, war is at hand, and I will warn the Europeans to be off.

The Superintendent: You have told me that you have received a letter from the King. Was that letter written and signed by Matutaere?

Wi Tako and Heremia: Yes.

The Superintendent: Did Matutaere in that letter call upon you to rise?

Wi Tako and Heremia: Yes.

Wi Tako: But I have not shown that letter to our people.

Superintendent: Why?

Wi Tako: Because it was inflammatory.

The Superintendent: Matutaere distinctly urged you to rise against the Europeans?

Wi Tako and Heremia: Yes.

With reference to Heremia’s remark, "that the Waikatos were to send men to different points," the Superintendent simply observed, that the Waikatos would be too fully occupied at home to afford assistance to intending rebels here. That all the measures the Government was taking, were for the purpose of protecting the maories and pakehas against small bands of marauders.

In answer to Wi Tako’s and Heremia’s remonstrances against either the militia or Armed Police Force being sent up the West Coast, the Superintendent said:—Though I meet you in your King’s house, don’t fancy that I have become a Kingite, or am prepared to listen to his words. The Government will not be guided by the wishes of the King natives. The Police Force will be stationed wherever Government may please. As long, however, as I am satisfied of the peaceable intentions of the natives, and that no danger need be apprehended at Waikanae, Otaki, and Manawatu, I shall probably advise that no Force be at present stationed at either of those places. But I certainly shall advise that a Force should be stationed at Rangitikei, as that is the road (as Heremia himself admits) by which a marauding party from Waikato or Taupo would probably come.

Wi Tako and Heremia both said—That is right and reasonable; let the boundary of the district within which no force is stationed be the Paikakariki and the Rangitikei river. The meeting then broke up, and the Superintendent accompanied by Wi Tako and others rode on to Otaki, where they arrived in the evening. The following day, the Superintendent met the natives in the Court House. The meeting was attended by above 200 natives, including the three leaders of the Kingites, viz., Wi Tako, Wi Hapi, and Heremia, with a few of their followers. Mr. Hamlin acted as interpreter, and Mr. Buller, the Resident Magistrate of the District, and most of the European settlers resident in the village were present. After a few words of welcome from Tamihana Te Rangihaeata, the Superintendent rose and said—I thank you my friends for having invited me to meet you here, for I am glad of what I said yesterday at Waikanae to Wi Tako, Heremia, and the other natives present.