558 
MAMAKU. 
doing so, lie fired at them; they proceeded on their way, 
and safely delivered up their charge to the military ; not 
having been more than twenty-four hours from the time of 
their startings during which they had paddled seventy miles. 
No time was lost in trying the prisoners by court-martial ; 
this commenced on the 24th April (25th was the Sab- 
bath), and on the 26fch they were executed, the boy only 
being spared, as it was proved he did not assist in the 
barbarous deed, but he actually entreated to be hung with 
his companions. 
These youths being connected with the Nga ti ruaka, 
caused that tribe to take up arms ; they were joined by 
the Nga ti hau, with the Chief Mamaku at their head, and 
by the Patutokotoko ; they speedily raised about three hun- 
dred men, and encamped at Papaiti, where they strongly 
entrenched themselves ; in the first skirmish, they obtained 
possession of a part of the town, which they not only plun- 
dered, but coolly remained quietly feasting on the ducks and 
fowls found there, of which they cooked some dozens ; the 
military and inhabitants took shelter every night in two 
stockades and three of the strongest houses, two of which 
were surrounded with trenches, the town then presented a 
singular appearance, its entire population being thus shut 
up in those few fortified spots, all herding together, and from 
their contracted quarters, much sickness and death ensued. 
Whilst the natives were thus engaged in plundering, a random 
shot from the nearest fortified house, went through one of 
those in the hands of the hostile natives, and killed Maketiv, a 
great Chief, whilst in the act of loading himself with plunder. 
The gun-boat was of great service in keeping the enemy in 
check, its bold commander being always in advance. 
The news of the war was brought to Auckland, where I was 
then attending a Committee of the Church ; the Governor left 
the next day in the Inflexible , war steamer, taking me with 
him; on reaching the Wanganui Heads, 24th May, a gun 
was fired to give notice of our approach, but no boat came 
off ; at last, two natives were seen on the shore, waving a 
flag ; we went and took them on board, one was Hoani 
