MR BRYCE AND WAHANUI.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3559, 5 December 1882, Page 3

MR BRYCE AND WAHANUI.

(by telegraph.)

Wellington, December 5. The following is Mr Bryce's letter to Wahanui : —

Friend Wahanui, greeting. —This is a letter from me to you which you will do well to regard as one of great importance. I address you be:ause of Tawhiao's word that the decision had gone from him to you. My first word ia in regard to Tawhiao and my recent visit to Alexandraand Whatiwhatihoe. Now, Tawhiao was willing to accept the liberal terms I offered him, and it was you yourself, speaking for the Ngatimaniapoto, •who prevented him doing so, and whatever the consequences may be you will have to bear them. Enough; that is past. There is another matter. The hand of the law is onspended over criminals in your district. Now, last ssssion of Parliament an Acf. was passed whibh enabled the Government to issue a proclamation of pardon to the culprits, but how can these proclamations be issued while Tawhiao claims a sovereignty, setting himself outside the Queen's law, and you support him in it? If the hand of the law descends on the culprits who will they hnve to blame but you ? Enough of that. When you spoke at Whatiwhatihoe you seemed to desire to go back to the discussion of old matters and the causes of trouble between the two races in the Waikato. I am ready to enter upon that if you really desire it, but remember that the Ngatimainapotos were as deep in that trouble as foe Waikutos, and if so, how will you ■justify that the same punishment should not have fallen upon them as upon tho Waikatos ? I will not begin the discussion ; it is for you to say whether these things are to be dragged back from the darkness where they aro "now hidden. Here also is another thing for you to look at: You have closed that part of the country in -vvliich you reside against traveller, but this cannot long remain so. There are three reasons why it

should be opened by the roads and railways, any one of which is sufficiently strong. First, all the rest of New Zealand is open to the public by roads and railways, and your conduct in keeping this part of the country closed is a sign of enmity to the colony. If, indeed, you and your people make enemies of the Government and the colony it might be right, but if we are to continue friends, as we are now, wha reason can you give for it ? That is one strong reason. Another is that the Government own large blocks of land near Mokau, and it is unreasonable to suppose that they must consent to be denied access to their own land. The third reason is that the construction of such public works will greatly enhance the value of everybody's land through which they pass, as well as benefit others, both Maoris and Europeans. These reasons are strong, and should convince you that you are taking a course iujurious alike to others and yourself. Now, these are all matters of importance. Do you reflect on them. I am willing still to assist you all in making proper arrangements. When I said so at Whatiwhafcihoe I did not use empty words. The question now is whether you desire to confer with me for such a purpose. If you do we can meet at some place I will appoint and discuss the things which concern us all. If you do not desire to make proper arrangements, still you will remember that I have made the offer to meet you and that I desire to make arrangements beneficial alike to all. It is my wish that you will communicate the contents of this my letter to the people, so that they may know with, whom the fault lies if trouble hereafter comes upon us.— From your friend, John Bbtce.