SIR WILLIAM MARTIN to TAMATI NGAPORA.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume XXVIII, Issue 54, 7 July 1869, Page 7

SIR WILLIAM MARTIN to TAMATI NGAPORA.

The following is a translation of the letter of Sir "William Martin to Tamati Ngapora, referred to in another column. It is said by the Southern Cross that the letter was written with the concurrence of Dr. Pollen, the Government Agent in Auckland. "We may observe that Sir "William Martin was the first Judge of the Supreme Court in New Zealand, and became afterwards Chief Justice :—: — Auckland, March 6, 1869. Oh friend Tamati greeting. — nere am I mindful continually of you [plural] who are dwelling in the distracted land. lam seeking a way whereby the two races may dwell in peace, and whereby we two may see one another again, though I am fearing lest the fire which is now burning spread and cnuso trouble. The only thing which causes a gleam of light to arise in my heart is tho report which is now current that Tawhiao's people have exerted themselves to repress the senseless men, tho sheddcrs of blood. For this my heart rejoiced. Friend Tamati, you listen to me. These words of mine are for you to consider, you, you and our friends. I have been employed for a number of years in observing the persons who are conspicuous amongst tho Maoris and the pakehas. Formerly their thoughts lay apart, there was no point of contact. Now they have come nigh, and they are seeking alike for some plan whereby this island may be at pence. Therefore I thought it would be well for me to put forth my proposal to the chiefs for them to approve or disapprove. My proposals are three — 1. The land on which you are living let it be made a separate district. The laws of the pakeha to have no force there, but you to make laws for yourselves. 2. Let some of the lands of Waikato be given back agnin as a dwelling-place for such persons as are willing to live under the law ; they themselves to administer that law between Maori and Maori. 3. Let all join in one plan for the putting down of murders and barbarous deeds whereby this land is disgraced. , Oh, friend, make it clear to me what you approve and what Tnwhiao's people approve ; make it quite clear for these are important matters. But it will be for yourself, yourself my friend, to strengthen my hands for this work. — From your friend, From Martin. To Tamati Ngapora Manuhiri.

Reported Finding of the Body or Te Kooti. — Our readers loarnt from the letter of our Wellington correspondent", on the 9fch June, that the body of a native, believed to be that of Te Kooti, had been washed ashoi'e in Ilawke's Buy, which went to confirm tho statement of his having been killed at the pali he treacherously obtained possession of in his late raid into the Mohaka valley, and that his body had been taken out to sea in a canoe and thrown overboard. By the St. Kilda steamer, which arrived lately in Poverty Bay, the following particulars were obtained :—": — " The body of Te Kooti has been found lying naked on the beach near Wairoa (about eight miles north of Mohaka), with a long rope tied round the waist, and which is supposed to have had some heavy substance attached to it to sink deceased. The rope, however, had broken, and the body was washed ashore. It will be remembered that on two or three occasions the report has been circulated that Te Kooti had been ehot and buried at sea, so that his remains should not be identified. The name of the native who fired the shot has also been repeatedly given, but the arch-rebel had been reported killed on so many previous occasions that his death was not generally believed in. Captain Jones, of the ' Murewai' (in whose employ Te Kooti was for some time when he was engaged in the whale fishery), has identified the body as that of the murderer Te Kooti, by the tattooing on his thigh, which he had observed on him when he had been out with him after whales, it being often necessary for men to strip when engaged in the work. Also the wound that ho was reported to havo received in the breast when shot was still visible when the body was found. Hia name could also be traced, tattooed on his breast. Tho settlors of Wairoa do not entertain the slightest doubt that tho bloodthirsty leader has at last met his just punishment." New Stkongmoid op the Hau-haus. — The Southern Cross says : — Tho Ilau-haus on the East Coast are now reported to have erector! and occupied three pahs on the banks of the Lake Waikaremoana, which cannot be stormed from tho lake, and aye surrounded with a dense bush in their rear. They are built upon three almost perpendicular rocks, or needles, and tho only course to be adopted by our forceß during the winter season will be to starve them out, by preventing communication on the lake with settlements where cultivations are known to exist. Dinner to Colonel Whithore. — A complimentary dinner was given by the leading settlers of Napier, on Monday evening, the 7th ultimo, at the Club, to the Honourable Colonel Whitinore, Commander of the Colonial Forces. The Deputy-Super-intendent, J. Rhodes, Esq., occupied the chair, and J. Adean, Esq., J.P., the vice-chair. The Bishop of Waiapu, and the officers of the 18th Regiment (Royal Irish), wero present. The company were twentyfour in number. The party, which throughout was most cordial in its reception of their guest, did not break up till a late hour, when the strains of the National Anthem appropriately wound up the entertainment. Tboops pok the Colony. — The Canterbury Press, of the 21st ultimo, remarks : — " We profess ourselves at a loss to conceive on what grounds Mr. Fox supposes that the colony has only to ask the Imperial Government for troops to get them. Such, we know, is the view taken by Dr. Featherston, with whom Mr. Fox is said to be closely connected ; but then Dr. Featherston, having an uncommonly strong will of his own, finds it difficult to realise the possibility of any one standing out against him. lie is so used to having his own way that the mere fact of his wanting the troops makes him take it for granted that they will be sent. Whatever the objections of the Home Government may be, ho is satisfied that, were tho matter committed to his management, he should easily overcome them all. But Mr. Fox has no such conviction of the effect of his own will to rely upon ; and unless he simply pins his faith upon Dr. Featherston, we cannot imagine on what his assurance of the readiness of the 'English Government to assist the colony can be founded."