Chap. XVI. VISITS TO THE HUTT AND PORIRUA. 407 
No resolutions were passed at this meeting ; prin- 
cipally through the weakness of Dr. Evans, who had 
been intrusted with the principal one, but who allowed 
himself to be won over by the smoothing manner of 
the Stipendiary, and kept the resolution in his pocket. 
It was represented to Major Richmond that reports 
had come in from all quarters of the danger to be feared 
from the natives. On the Hutt, scarcely two miles 
from the village of Aglionby, a constable had tried to 
apprehend a native who had been clearly guilty of theft 
in a White man's house ; but he had been surrounded 
by friends of the culprit flourishing spears and toma- 
hawks, very roughly handled, and forced to desist from 
his attempt. Rauperaha and Rangihaeata were said 
to be forming a new pa at the entrance of Porirua 
harbour ; and to have assembled there some 200 men, 
including the whole population of Cloudy Bay. Puaha, 
the missionary chief who had held up the Testament 
before the fighting at WairaUy was said to have come 
over in command of the Company's boat, which formed 
part of their spoil. 
It was agreed that Mr. Petre, Mr. Macdonogh, and 
I, should go and inquire into the truth of these 
reports, accompanied by Mr. Meurant the Interpreter. 
Up the Hutt, we found a very large increase in the 
number of native inhabitants. Two strong jpas were 
being built in the potato-grounds. I recognised a great 
many of Rangihaeata^ especial attendants. Two of 
the men did not conceal that they had been at 
IVa'irau ; and, in fact, boasted of it to the sawyers and 
other White persons who were living by their sufferance 
in this neighbourhood. 
We had a long conference with the principal man 
there, Hapimane, or " Chapman," a nephew of Rau- 
peraha. The culprit was a mere slave ; but as his father 
