CH.VP. XV. RUMOURS OF THE MASSACRE AT IVJIHAU. 361 
CHAPTER XV. 
First rumours of the massacre at Wairati — Rauperaha's, message — , 
E Kuru's offer of an armed force — The Police Magistrate's ver- 
sion—Fears of E Aim for his son — P^arthquake — Escort of 
natives — Kindness of Watanui — Affecting scene at Ohau — 
Rauperaha a missionary — His stratagems — He drives a herd of 
cattle back— Dispute with other chiefs — Speeches — Rauperaha 
insults the Queen of England — His kingly bearing — His powerful 
eloquence — Arrival at Wellington — Evidence relating to the 
Wairau massacre — Lord Stanley's episode — The truth about 
Rangihaeatds, wife— No Coroner — Alarm at Wellington — ^Enrol- 
ment of volunteers by the authorities — Battle of Manganui in 
the North — Caused by the Government. 
Towards the end of June I descended the river in 
company with E Kuru . 
When we reached Tunu huere, about 1 5 miles from 
the sea, strange reports were shouted to us from the 
pas and potato-gardens as we glided lazily along in 
the glowing sunset. The natives have generally a 
number of exaggerated stories which they delight to 
shout out in this way to people who have been away 
for some time ; and I paid no attention to these cries 
at first, as they seemed no more than customary. 
But suddenly E Kuru sprang up from the couch on 
which he was reclining by my side, the boys ceased 
paddling, and all signed to me to listen. A shout 
came clear and distinct over the water, and I felt faint 
at each word. " There had been a fight," the har- 
binger of ill news cried ; " and Rauperaha had killed 
" Wide-awake and 40 White people — no natives had 
" been killed ; that was all he knew !" 
I tried to laugh it oft"; and E Kuru, too, kept telling 
me it was all fko, or " lies." But from each little 
