Chap. XV. EVIDENCE RELATING TO THE MASSACRE. 385 
large Land- Agent, and Mr. Bellairs, Surveyor. These 
gentlemen, at the request of Captain Wakefield, joined 
his party with the boat's crew.* 
On the evening of Thursday, June 15, and the 
following morning, the party landed at Tf^airau, 
where Mr. Barnicoat and his men joined them. 
JMuskets, and a cartouche-box of ball-cartridges with 
each, were served out to the men, and cutlasses to as 
many as chose to avail themselves of them. On Friday 
afternoon, they ascended the right bank of the river 
about five miles. On the way they met IPuaha. 
He was accompanied by a small party of natives. 
They had been engaged in clearing land, but had 
been stopped, they said, by Rauperaha, who had 
gone higher up the river. They appeared alarmed 
at the sight of the armed force ; but their fears were 
allayed by Mr. Thompson's informing Puaha that the 
object of his journey had no reference to him or his 
party, but that he had a warrant against Rauperaha 
and Rangihaeata on a charge of arson. Mr. Thomp- 
* Before leaving Nelson, Captain "Wakefield addressed the fol- 
lowing private letter to his brother Colonel Wakefield : — 
" Nelson, 13th June, 1843. 
" My dear William, 
" We heard on Sunday that Te Rauperaha and Rangi had com- 
menced operations on the Wairau, and have burned one of the Sur- 
veyor's houses. 
" The Magistrates have granted a warrant on the information ; 
and Thompson, accompanied by myself, England, and a lot of con- 
stables, are off immediately in the Government brig to execute it. 
We shall muster about 60 ; so I think we shall overcome these 
travelling bullies. I never felt more convinced of being about to 
act right for the benefit of all, and not less especially so for the 
native race. 
" I shall, probably, be able to communicate with you from 
Cloudy Bay. 
" Yours affectionately, 
" Arthur Wakefield.'* 
VOL. II. * 2 C 
