down by force whichever party, that wished to continue the war. This information strongly impressed me when considering the letter of Ihaia and his people, offering to place themselves under the protection of British law and power, and submitting themselves thereto. Of course only an unconditional surrender could be listened to, and when Mr. Halse returned from the Waitara and informed us that they meant by their letter only to imply that such submission referred to their future conduct, and not to the killing of Katatori, which they considered by Maori usage had been fully expiated, all idea of interfering on their behalf was abandoned, until further instructions were sent from the Government, or until a letter should be sent offering to make such an unconditional surrender. Yesterday Major Murray sent me an official communication which shews his intention of abiding strictly by the letter of his instructions, these he considers would prevent his rendering any assistance beyond the European boundaries. Mr. Whiteley informed me last night that he had been at Ihaia's pa and in conversation with him elicited that if a judicial enquiry were to be made into the conduct of all persons on either side who had participated in the murders of the various Natives killed here, he would readily submit to such an enquiry so far as he and any of his people were concerned. Now as this would criminate the leading men on each side, they being more or less involved in these disastrous affairs than Ihaia himself, a Commission if appointed to enquire into them would bring before it such a number, that all would be likely to concur in a general amnesty, and thus if this were granted a foundation might be laid for making the British law paramount throughout New Zealand. This accompanied with a Proclamation that no more fighting would be permitted by the Government would satisfy the Natives generally, who appear to be growing quite sick of these miserably devastating quarrels, and do more than anything