their friends in the neighbourhood of the Wairoa and Otamaitai. Towards evening these Natives returned, and on arriving in Camp were accosted by Mr Rice, but all his attempts to obtain information was no use. This circumstance led me to follow these choice youths to that portion of the camp, where the natives encamped, and there try my best to elicit some tidings of what they had seen or heard; but in this I was for a considerable time frustrated, and it was only a strategem that caused them to divulge the startling fact that the whole body of Tauranga were believers and adherents of the new faith, and that they were all going to leave that very night on their pilgrimage to the Pai Mariris. One of them actually became so serious and urgent as to request me to make flight with them, in order that I might be secured from destruction. After receiving this painful information, I communicated with Mr Rice, who instantly informed Colonel Greer; but whilst Mr Rice was doing so, the whole natives in camp, with one solitary exception, were diligently packing their beds and clothing, and had got them down to the beach, when Mr Rice returned from the Colonel ’ s, and caused the natives not to remove anything from the camp without permission. The natives, who had their steed to ferry across, galloped up a distance from the camp, where a canoe was awaiting them, and got safely away. Rainiera Te Hiahia, a native who has been all along in the service of Government as an informer and guide, was the most obstinate and determined character amongst them, for which he was censured by the commanding officer, who caused all canoes or natives not to pass or repass; he also took every military precaution which the exigences of case required.

Mr Rice, late in the evening, went over to the Matapihi settlement, and I believe he witnessed a sight that language can never express or pen describe. All was confusion and disorder; it was indeed a true moon-light flight.

The Matapihi settlement was the only one which professed loyalty etc. to the Government during our last troubles, but I am sorry to say that these very men are now become the most inveterate worshippers of the Pai Mariri system.

The following day, the 26th, unfolded to us the sorrowful and painful truth that Tauranga, containing upwards of 1000 souls, had all left their homes and their plantations for the mountain fastnesses, and we now found ourselves left in possession of Tauranga with the exception of about fifty scattered Natives, including women and children, who have been left behind.

All communication is partially closed so that it is utterly impossible to come to any definite conclusion as to what is about to take place. However, there is one thing quite evident, that is if the “ Tohunga ” declares war, which there is not the slightest doubt but he will do, the whole tribe will rise en masse and endeavour to drive us into the sea.

A boat with eight of these infatuated beings was seen landing the other day at the Matapihi; which caused Mr Rice to follow them up and see what they were after. On his arrival at the settlement he found only three of the party there. The others were out collecting their horses ready to take away, had not Mr Rice disturbed their repose and frustrated their designs.