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after Mr Deighton by his direction had read Matuatere’s, Wi Tako’s Ngairo’s, and other letters, denounced in the strongest possible terms the gross treachery evinced by the writers of those letters, especially dwelling upon Ngairo’s letter, and ended by demanding an explicit explanation from Ngairo. The speakers who got up to answer the Superintendent, and to whom the Superintendent replied one by one, were Ngairo, Matiaha, Riwai Tamati, Piripi, Patoromu, Raniera, Kopua, and Himiona. Ngairo at once admitted that the letters read were accurate; but that Matuatere’s and his own letters in reply were written in consequence of the militia being called out in this Province, which he considered meant an attack upon the Maoris. He declared that he would not tolerate volunteers, militia, Defence Force, troops, barracks, or stockades—that he would fire upon them. The Superintendent by reference to dates, showed that Matuatere’s and Ngairo’s letters were written before the militia had been called out in this Province; and replied that Ngairo’s threats would not have the slightest influence upon him—that he dared him to carry out his threats; that after the treachery displayed in his own and other letters, he would, unless the settlers all came forward as volunteers, at once call out the militia, and arm the whole white population; that he would build stockades and place the settlers in a position to defy any attack from the Kingites; but that whatever measures he took would be simply defensive, for the purpose of protecting Pakehas and friendly Maoris; that the first shot should be by the Kingites; that shot fired they must take the consequences; that the Governor would move the troops wherever he pleased; that troops were not usually sent to such districts as Wairarapa, unless the peace had been broken, or danger was apprehended; and that therefore as long as they remained quiet and peaceable there would be no occasion for the troops; that the Defence Force was not merely a military force but a police force to see the Queen’s laws executed; that if they dared to carry out their threats, they would soon see the troops and the Defence Force coming down the Rimutaka.

Matiaha said—Where did you get the letters you have read to us? The Superintendent—I told you at Tahitarata; that Wi Tako gave Matuatere’s letter to Captain Edwards. If I told you how I obtained possession of the other letters, I might get certain natives into trouble

with you. Matiaha—Where did you get the information that we had discussed a proposal to rise and kill the settlers? You got that information from the Governor. Who are the natives who told you that? It is not true. The Superintendent—How can you say that? Matuatere in his letter calls upon you to rise and drive out the Europeans; that means to kill the Europeans. Ngairo says in his reply to Matuatere, the canoe is prepared; we only await the King’s order to paddle it. Ngairo says, we are ready to rise as soon as Matuatere gives the word. Wi Tako says the same thing. No further proof of your treacherous designs can be required, and therefore I am prepared for you. Will you, Matiaha, now declare that no proposal to rise against the settlers was ever discussed in your runangas? Matiaha—We had begun discussing the question, the thin point of the knife; but then came the greater question (the thick handle of the knife)—i.e., the calling out of the militia, and we said nothing more about the point of the knife, because we were full of the thick handle of the knife—the calling out of the militia. With respect to Tataraimaka—if the Governor had sent settlers instead of soldiers, no evil would have been done. The Superintendent—You all know the Taranaki and Ngatiruanuis had declared their intention to contest the possession of Tataraimaka. If the Governor had sent unarmed settlers, they would have been murdered. The Governor sent soldiers, who could take and maintain possession of Tataraimaka. You admit that you have discussed the proposal to rise against the Europeans? But, whether you do so or not, Ngairo’s letter convicts you. Ngairo—The letters are true. Will you attack me on account of the letter I have written? Superintendent—No; but the letters I have read are bad; they justify me in taking every possible precaution against you. Take care not to write such letters in future.

Ngairo—Aporo was wrong in breaking into Mr Gorst’s house and taking away the printing press; but Matutaere sent the printing press back. Governor Grey did the same thing. He ordered Matutaere to deliver up to him the King’s printing press, and threatened him with war if he did not do so. The Superintendent—Matutaere delivered up the printing press after Aporo had been arrested, and with an insolent message to the Governor. Aporo must stand his trial. If Matutaere