PAPERS RELATIVE TO THE AGENCY OF MR. McLEAN.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1869 Session I, A-04

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PAPERS RELATIVE TO THE AGENCY OF MR. M cLEAN.

PRESENTED TO BOTH HOUSES OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, BY COMMAND OP HIS EXCELLENCY.

WELLINGTON.

1869.

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No. 1. Memorandum by Mr. McLean. AVellington, 10th October, 1868. The present unsettled state of the North Island, and the feeling of insecurity that prevails at Hawke's Bay and the East Coast, induce me before returning to Napier, to offer every assistance in my power to the Government, should it desire that I should act for and represent it in that part of the Island. I make this offer apart from any political considerations, conceiving it to be the duty of every Colonist to assist at a time like the present, also from a desire to avert war if possible, and to induce co-operation on the part of the friendly Natives. The interests at stake are so great, that in undertaking to act for the Government, I feel it my duty to state that I should expect to have such co-operation and support as the circumstances require, with the authority to initiate aud carry out negociations with the Natives, .and to control the actions of all officers, military or otherwise, that might have the effect of disturbing the peace of the district. Donald McLean.

No. 2. Memorandum by Mr. Richmond. AVellington, 12th October, 1868. In reference to Mr. McLean's Memorandum of the 10th October, the Government are willing to accept the offer therein made of assistance in settling any differences which may exist in Hawke's Bay and the East Coast. They will authorize Mr. McLean to make such arrangements as may be necessary to secure the alliance of the tribes hitherto loyal, and to satisfy the hostile and those inclined to hostility that, so long as they remain quiet, no action will be taken against them. The Government will give every facility at their command for carrying out such negociations, and will treat with great attention all Mr. McLean's recommendations as to the location and movements of any Colonial forces within the district. They hope very shortly to place a sm.all trained force in the district as a nucleus for defensive organization. The use of the telegraph will generally facilitate prompt communication with head-quarters; but failing that means, they will support Mr. McLean in any action necessitated in any emergency. Ministerial authorization must in every case be obtained before any engagement for the payment of money is entered into. It is intended that the steamer " Sturt " should be despatched in a few days to visit the settlements on the coast, passing on to Auckland, and returning without dehay by the same route. The earliest notice possible will be given of her readiness, and she will be for a time at Mr. McLean's command. J. C. Richmond. No. 3. Copy of Telegram from His Honor D. McLean, Esq., to the Hen. Colonel Haultain. Napier, 9th March, 1869. RoPj\.tjl and some eighty Ngatiporou have called here in " St. Kilda," and Ropata wishes to know if I approve of his going to the West Coast; if not, that he has no desire to go. I consider that removing Ropata while the East Coast is threatened is exceedingly injudicious, and likely to invite further disasters ; and, with the threats from Waikato, I would suggest that the Government should reconsider the propriety of removing Ngatiporou and Ropata. Donald McLean. No. 4. Copy of Telegram from the Hon. Colonel Haultain to His Honor D. McLean, Esq. AVellington, 9th March, 1869. It is of great importance, for several reasons, that Ropata and the Ngatiporou should go to the West Coast, and Government trust that you will use your influence to cause them to proceed without delay. " ' T. M. Haultain. No. 5. Copy of Telegram from His Honor D. McLean, Esq., to the Hon. Colonel Haultain. Napier, 9th March, 1569. Ropata has no desire to go further. I will speak to him in the morning about it. In the meantime I have asked tho master of the " St. Kilda" to remain till morning. Donald McLean.

PAPERS RELATIVE TO THE AGENCY OF MR. M CLEAN.

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No. G. Copy of Telegram from the Hon. Colonel Haultain to His Honor D. McLean, Esq. Wellington, 10th March, 1869. lam anxious to hear whether Ropata is coming on. The Government will be greatly disappointed if anything prevents this arrangement being carried out. T. M. HjVultain.

No. 7. Copy of Telegram from His Honor D. McLean, Esq., to the Hon. Colonel Haultain. Napier, 10th March, 1869. Ropata is with me. He says he has no heart or inclination to go to the AVest Coast, the reason being that he leaves his own people unprotected while the district is being threatened with danger—that his absence invites attack. 1 ask if he remained whether his people would go. Ho replies all should remain, and expresses dissatisfaction at the manner in which their services have been engaged. Donald McLean.

No. 8. Copy of Telegram from the Hon. Colonel ILyultain to Mr. C. AY. Ferris. AVellington, 11th March, 1569. What agreement was made with Ropata and the Ngatiporou when they embarkedF T. M. Haultain.

No. 0. Copy of Telegram from Mr. C. AY. Feuris to the Hon. Colonel Haultain. Napier, 11th March, 1569. The only agreement was for service at Patea, for which each man gave his consent. Ropata, to time of arrival here, was anxious to go, and in great spirits. C. W. Ferris.

No. 10. Extract from Mr. Feeeis' Diary, on board the s.s. " St. Kilda," on Recruiting Service for the AVest Coast. Tuesday, 9th March, (5 a.m. —Went on deck, off Portland Island, en route for Napier; after breakfast had a long conversation with Eopata, the substance of which was, that after arrival at AVellington he would desire the Government to allow the steamer to return so as to procure Natives from Tapawa, to increase the force to 150 men, when he would go and fight with them, having command in his capacity as Major ; he was in excellent spirits, and said that he had had a dream that Tito Kowaru was his, and adduced that as a reason for his wishing to go. Arrived in Napier at about half-past 2 p.m. Ropata went on shore ; did not see his going or would have gone with him ; went on shore myself at about I p.m.; met Captain Fox, who told me that the vessel would shortly be coaled, and would start in two hours ; went up to town to see Ropata ; could not find him until just starting to return to steamer; sent one of my Natives to tell him (Ropata, who was in a half state of intoxication) that the vessel would shortly sail, and to make haste ; waited some time, then went on to collect the men that wero on shore and wait at the Spit till he arrived ; waited some time, neither him nor my messenger appeared, went on board; the vessel was getting up steam; got up anchor, and steamed slowly about, after firing a gun. A boat came off with a letter from Mr. McLean to Captain Fox, for the steamer to stop till morning ; accordingly Captain Fox .and myself wont on shore to Mr. McLean's residence, where Captain Fox again had orders to stop till he heard again from Mr. McLean. Wednesday, 10th. —No appearance of Ropata up to dinner-time ; after dinner a gentleman named McDonald came on board with letters from Ropata, one to the tribe telling them to come on shore, the other to myself telling me to send them; he adduced no reason, so I went on shore, proceeded to the Telegraph Office, where I saw Ropata, asked him why he had written the letters, could get nothing satisfactory out of him (quite different from his manner to me the day before, when he was quite anxious to go on with the men). I tried my hardest to induce him to go on to AVellington, but he was obstinate, saying he would not go on himself, nor allow the men to go ; after a fruitless persuasion I returned to the steamer, and called the men together and told them as above, as also that it was the wish of the Government for them to go on to Wellington; they wished to go on shore to hear what Ropata had to say, and if ho could not give some satisfactory reason for his stopping them, they would go on with me. Thursday, 11th.—Landed all the Natives; marched them up to the Government Buildings; Colonel Lambert and Mr. Locke were there; Colonel Lambert asked them about going; they wished to hear what Ropata had to say. Ropata told them that he brought them on shore; that he was not goiug on to AVellington, and that therefore they were not to go. I therefore tried to take those that were willing to go on, but met with much opposition from Ropata, who stood in the middle of the road, and stopped the men from coming to me; eventually I succeeded in getting nineteen, whom I marched down to the vessel aud shipped at once. I received great assistance from Te Harewira te Houkamau. son of Iharaira te Houkamau. Chaeles AY. Ferris.

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No. 11. The Hon. E. AY. Stafford to His Honor D. McLean, Esq. (No. 233.) Colonial Secretary's Office, Sir,— Wellington, ISth March, 1869. In a Memorandum addressed by you to the Government at the close of last Session, tendering your services as General Government Agent on the East Coast, your Honor founded your offer on the opinion that it was the " duty of every Colonist to assist, and to induce the co-operation of the friendly Natives." The Government, in accepting your services, were therefore justified in expecting your loyal support. The part your Honor has thought fit to take, notwithstanding the earnest and repeated remonstrances of the Government, in advising the chief Ropata Wahawaha and a party of Natives who had joined the Armed Constabulary to break their engagement after they had been sworn in and had actually sailed in the Colonial steamer "St. Kilda" to join the force under Colonel AVhitmore, is, however, so vicious an example in itself, and exhibits such an irreconcilable difference between yourself and the Government as to the import of such terms as assistance and co-operation, and as to tho proper mode of dealing with tho Maori population, that the Government are compelled to cancel Mr. Richmond's Memorandum of the 12th October last, and to withdraw the authority you have hitherto held as their Agent. I have, &c, His Honor D. McLean, Esq., Napier. E. AY. Stafford.

No. 12. Hj_kae3_ Potae to the Hon. Mr. Richmond. To Mr. Richmond,— Te Mawhai, 21st March, 1869. Friend, &c. Here are Ropata and his people ; they have come back to this place. I did not look favourably on him and his words. I am much pleased at Hotene and Wiki having gone on thither to give effect to the word of tho Government. Here am I still here with my soldiers, anxious to go on to Patea. Had the " St. Kilda " come here I and my people had gone by her. As it is, friend, send a steamer here to fetch us. Let it be done at once ;do not let it be long. Also write a letter inviting us. Tour friend, Henare Potae.

No. 13. The Hon. R. Stokes to the Hon. E. AY. Stafford. Sir,— Milbourne, Kaikora, 26th March, 1869. I have the honor to transmit to you the enclosed resolutions, which were unanimously adopted at a large and influential meeting of settlers of the AVaipawa, AVaipukurau, aud adjoining districts (of which I was chairman), and, in doing so, I feel it my duty to inform you, that a general feeling of alarm and insecurity has been caused in those districts by the proceeding of the General Government in withdrawing from His Honor the Superintendent of Hawke's Bay the powers which ho exercised as Agent of tho Government in suppressing the rebellion on the East Coast. From His Honor's great influence with tho loyal Natives, which has been so beneficially exerted for the protection of this Province during the recent disturbances, an amount of confidence was felt by the inland settlers, which, I regret to say, has been greatly impaired, if not altogether destroyed, by the course pursued by the General Government; and they greatly fear that the irritation which it has produced among the loyal Natives is calculated to weaken their respect for the authority of the Government. I have, &c, Hon. E. W. Stafford, Coloni.al Secretary. Roet. Stokes. Ist Besolution. —This meeting has heard with alarm and regret that Ministers have withdrawn from His Honor Donald McLean the General Government Agency on the East Coast, but, looking at the services His Honor has rendered, added to the influence he possesses over the East Coast and Taupo tribes, and further to the confidence reposed in him by people of both races of this Province and upon the East Coast, this meeting is of opinion that the withdrawal from His Honor of the powers he has for so many years successfully exorcised to the general benefit of the Colony, is, at the present critical conjuncture, a great public calamity, is calculated to destroy confidence, and seriously to weaken the friendly relations with the East Coast, Hawke's Bay, and Taupo tribes, which His Honor has laboured so successfully to develop and maintain. 2nd Besolution. —That in the opinion of this meeting it is extremely desirable that an humble but urgent appeal should be made to His Excellency the Governor, to forthwith convene the General Assembly for tho despatch of public business, inasmuch as this meeting considers that the present critical position of the Colony, the serious additional burthens necessarily entailed by protracted warfare, together with the spread of the rebellion under the conduct of affairs by the present Ministry, are matters of serious import requiring that the advice and assistance of the j Legislature should be taken without delaj-, and that a memorial embracing such opinion should be transmitted to His Excellency as soon as it may be corroborated by the signatures of the settlers of this Province. 3rd Besolution. —That all practical means should be adopted of communicating with other Provinces, with the view of obtaining their co-operation in this matter. Robt. Stokes, Chairman.

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No. 14. The Hon. E. W. Stafford to the Hon. R. Stokes. (No. 308.) Colonial Secretary's Office, Sir,— Wellington, Bth April, 1869. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 26th ultimo, enclosing resolutions passed at a public meeting referring to the withdrawal from Mr. McLean of the office of Government Agent. AVith reference to the last portion of your letter, I deeply regret, after the voluntary offer mado by Mr- McLean on the 10th October last, to afford every assistance to the Government, to be compelled to state that no action was more calculated to weaken the respect of loyal Natives for the authority of the Government than that taken by Mr. McLean to induce loyal Natives to violate their oaths and break their solemn engagements with the Government. AVith respect to the subject of the second resolution enclosed in your letter, it may be observed that the Governor must, at all times, be advised to act on a full consideration of what is required by the public interests of the country as a whole, for the due recognition of which Ministers are responsible. I have, &c, The Hon. R. Stokes, M.L.C., Mi.bourne, Kaikoura. E. W. Stafford.

No. 15. Mr. 11. S. Tiffen to the Hon. E. AY. Stafford. Sir,— Napier, 29th March, 1869. I have the honor to forward a representation of the Magistrates of the Province of Hawke's Bay, having reference to the unsettled state of the affairs on the East Coast, with an appeal to His Excellency to forthwith convene the General Assembly, " in order that measures may be adopted and precautions taken for the better security of life and property," and I have to request you will be good enough to lay the same before His Excellency. I have, &c, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary. H. S. Tiffen. Napier, 27th March, 1869. We, the undersigned, Justices of the Peace resident in the Province of Hawke's Bay, beg most respectfully to represent to your Excellency that we consider this part of the Island to be iv such a critical position, from the menacing attitude of hostile tribes, as to require the most grave, serious, and immediate consideration. Recent intelligence from the interior points to the probability of a general rising of disaffected tribes; hostilities have taken place on the East Coast, spreading to the Bay of Plenty and the vicinity of Taupo; the out-settlements of this district arc exposed to imminent danger, and no efficient means that we are aware of are being taken for its defence. The calamitous events that have transpired, both on tho East and West Coasts of this Island, sufficiently justify us in making an appeal to your Excellency to forthwith convene the General Assembly, in order that measures may be adopted and precautions taken for the better security of life and property. A. H. Russell, and 18 others.

No. 16. The Hon. E. W. Stafford to Mr. H. S. Tiffen. (No. 307.) Colonial Secretary's Office, Sir,— AVellington, Bth April, 1869. I have tho honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 29th ultimo, enclosing a communication from certain Magistrates resident in the Province of Hawke's Bay, relative to the present state of affairs in New Zealand. In reply, I have to state that His Excellency is aware of the efforts being made by the Government to meet existing difficulties. With respect to the suggested meeting of the Legislature, I would observe that the advice which it is the duty of Ministers to give to the Governor must be at all times based on a full consideration of what is most conducive to the public interests of the country as a whole, which are not always in accordance with opinions held for the moment by inhabitants of particular localities. As regards the meeting of the next Session, in so far as the Government can at present form an opinion, His Excellency may be advised to call Parliament together about the end of next month. I have, &c, H. S. Tiffen, Esq., Napier. E. W. Stafford.

No. 1.7 To His Excellency Sir George Ferguson Bowen, Knight Grand Cross of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George, Governor and Commander-in-Chief in and over Her Majesty's Colony of New Zealand and its Dependencies, and A fice-Admiral of the same. May it please Tour Excellency,— We, the undersigned inhabitants of the Town of Napier and its vicinity, desire respectfully to represent to your Excellency the regret and alarm felt by us upon learning that your Excellency's Government had withdrawn from His Honor Donald McLean, Esquire, the authority he has held as its Agent on the East Coast.

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We think it of the utmost importance for the safety of this Province and the district commonly known as the East Coast, that some person resident upon the spot, and possessing the confidence of both Colonists and Natives, should be intrusted with large discretionary power to act on behalf of the Government in case of emergency. Mr. McLean has peculiar qualifications for the post. He has been so long personally known and trusted by the Natives upon this coast that they would willingly act upon the advice from him, which if given by a less known person, even though a representative of the Government, would be unheeded. For the same reason, valuable intimations of the intentions of disaffected tribes would be often tendered to Mr. McLean which would never reach the ears of another person acting in his place; whilst his long experience, his intimate acquaintance with tho relations of the tribes throughout the Island, and his various sources of information, fit him beyond others for the difficult task of examining and estimating the value of information so received; and the conviction that from him timely warning of danger may be expected, is an inducement to prevent persons engaged in industrial pursuits in the outlying districts of the Province from abandoning their homes. His successful conduct of affairs upon the East Coast, in 1865-6, has won for him the confidence both of the European and Maori inhabitants, and the approbation of persons of all political parties in the General Assembly; and we feel convinced that if your Excellency would seek the advice of the General Assembly, it would be found to be the wish of the Colony at large that the management of the district should be still intrusted to him. Since the last Session of the General Assembly the efforts of your Excellency's Executive and the Colonial troops, though attended with partial success, have failed to secure peace to districts then disturbed, whilst fresh instances of outrage and rebellion are from time to time occurring in other portions of the Colony, and enormous military expenditure is going on, without prospect of its speedy termination, and a general feeling of insecurity pervades the Northern Island. We feel sure that your Excellency must, with us, desire that in this emergency you should be assisted by advisers having the undoubted confidence of the Colony, and we therefore respectfully implore your Excellency to seek the advice of the representatives of the people without delay. And your petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray. H. S. Tiffen, J.P., and 532 others.

No. 18. Mr. Gisborne to Mr. H. S. Tiffen and others. (No. 324.) Colonial Secretary's Office, Gentlemen,— Wellington, 16th April, 1869. I have the honor, by the direction of Mr. Stafford, to acknowledge the receipt of your petition to His Excellency referring to the withdrawal of the authority of Government Agent from Mr. D. McLean, and praying His Excellency to summon the General Assembly. AVith reference to the prayer of your petition, I am to observe, that before it was received the General Assembly had been summoned to meet for despatch of business on the Ist June next. As, from certain statements made in the petition, some misapprehension appears to exist in the minds of the petitioners with reference to the relative action of the Government and Mr. McLean, Mr. Stafford desires me to say that several months ago the Government, with a view to securing Mr. McLean's aid and co-operation in tho settlement of affairs on the East Coast, offered him a seat in the Executive Council and the position of Resident Minister at Napier, which offer he declined. Subsequently, at his own request, he was appointed Government Agent. It was, however, never imagined, nor could it reasonably have been assumed, that he would use tho power which that office gave him in direct opposition to the Government. Such a state of things would be altogether anomalous, and inconsistent with the relations which must necessarily subsist between a Government and its Agent, inasmuch as the Government and not its Agent is constitutionally responsible for the administration of public affairs. Under these circumstances, when, as was recently the case, Mr. McLean took a step so calculated to weaken the authority of all Governments in the Native mind as to induce certain Natives who had engaged for a particular service to violate their sworn engagements, and did not at the same time resign his Agency, the Government had absolutely no alternative but to withdraw from him the authority to act in its name which it had intrusted to him. I have, &c, Messrs. H. S. Tiffen and other Petitioners, W. Gisborne, Hawke's Bay. .... Under Secretary.

No. 19. To His Excellency Sir G-eoege Feegtjsox Bowen, Gr.C.M.G-., Governor in and over New Zealand, Commander-in-Chief, &c, &c, and Vice-Admiral of the same, &c, &c. The humble Petition of the undersigned Kesidents and Persons interested in the Wairoa District of Hawke's Bay, respectfully sheweth: —That whereas the present Advisers of your Excellency have thought fit to withdraw the post of Agent of the General Government of New Zealand for this Province from Donald McLean, Esq., at a moment when the whole future of the Colony is at stake, your petitioners humbly solicit that it shall please your Excellency, in view of the enormous interests involved, by an exercise of your prerogative as Her Majesty's Representative in this Colony, to reinstate that gentleman in his former position. And, further, that it will please your Excellency to refuse your assent to a second prorogation of the sitting of the General Assembly of the House of Eepresentatives, inasmuch as the speedy meeting of Parliament is absolutely necessary to the welfare of the whole Colony. And your petitioners will ever pray, &c, &c. Stephen F. Peentice, and 56 others.

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No. 20. Mr. Gisborne to Mr. S. F. Prentice and others. (No. 327.) Colonial Secretary's Office, Gentlemen, — Wellington, 19th April, 1869. I have the honor, by the direction of Mr. Stafford, to acknowledge the receipt of your petition praying for tho reinstatement of Mr. Donald McLean in his former position as Government Agent in the Province of Hawke's Bay. I have, &c, Mr. S. F. Prentice and others, W. Gisborne, AVairoa, Hawke's Bay. Under Secretary.

No. 21. Mr. S. F. Peentice to the Hon. E. AY. Staffoed. Sic— Te Wairoa, Hawke's Bay, 3rd April, 1869. I have the honor to forward, for your information, copy of resolutions passed at a public meeting of the inhabitants of this district (of which I had the honour to be chairman). Ido so at the request of a large number of the gentlemen present, feeling, as they do, that in the present critical state of the Colony you should be informed of the opinions entertained by those in immediate contact with the natives. I have, &c, The Hon. E. W. Stafford. S. F. Prentice. Ist Besolution.— That in the opinion of this meeting the recent steps taken by the New Zealand Ministry in removing Mr. D. McLean from the post of Agent of the General Government in this Province is full of danger and evil augury, more particularly under the present circumstances of the North Island in connection with existing relations between the races —Maoris and Europeans. 2nd Besolution. —That in the opinion of this meeting the only advance that can be made towards the amelioration of the evils under which the Colony is labouring, is by an early meeting of the New Zealand Parliament. 3rd Besolution. —That this meeting desires to express its sense of the great obligations which this district is under to the good offices of Mr. D. McLean ; and whilst deprecating the recent action of the Ministry, begs to assure that gentleman of the entire and continued confidence placed in him by every member of this community. I have, &c, The Hon. E. W. Stafford. S. F. Prentice, Chairman.

No. 22. Mr. Gisborne to Mr. S. F. Prentice. (No. 332.) Colonial Secretary's Office, Sic,— AVellington, 20th April, 1869. I have the honor, by the direction of Mr. Stafford, to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 3rd instant, forwarding copy of certain political resolutions passed at a public meeting of the inhabitants of the AVairoa District. I have, &c, W. Gisborne, Mr. S. F. Prentice, Te Wairoa, Hawke's Bay. Under Secretary.

No. 23. The Hon. R. Stokes to the Hon. E. AY. Stafford. Sic, — Milbourne, Kaikora, 14th April, 1869. I have the honor to transmit to you the enclosed memorial to His Excellency the Governor from the inland settlers of AVaipukurau, AVaipawa, and adjoining districts, founded on the resolutions unanimously adopted at a late meeting held at Waipukurau, of which I was chairman. The memorial has been signed by nearly every settler in these districts, and I regret to add that the recent calamitous events at Mohaka give increased urgency and weight to the prayer of the memorial, which I have the honor to request will be presented by you to His Excellency the Governor. I have, &c, The Hon. E. W. Stafford, Colonial Secretary. Robt. Stokes. To His Excellency Sir George Ferguson Bowen, Knight Grand Cross of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George, Governor and Commander-in-Chief in and over Her Majesty's Colony of New Zealand. The Memorial of the undersigned Settlers in the Province of Hawke's Bay, respectfully sheweth: — That your Excellency's memorialists view the present critical position of the Colony and the spread of rebellion, under the conduct of affairs by the present ministry, with anxiety and alarm. That your Excellency's memorialists are of opinion that the measures taken by the Ministry to meet tho great and increasing difficulties of the Colony are not satisfactory, and that the spread of the rebellion is mainly owing to tho unwise and inefficient administration of affairs. That your Excellency's memorialists believe that the protracted war in which the Colony is engaged must entail serious additional burdens upon the people, and, as it appears to your memorialists, without any adequate or definite result. That your Excellency's memorialists see no hopes of an amelioration of the existing

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deplorable condition of the Colony under the administration of the present Ministry, and would urge that the general want of confidence felt in your Excellency's Advisers is in itself a source of weakness the mischievous effects of which cannot be exaggerated. That your memorialists consider the grounds they have set forth to be of such serious import as to render it expedient and necessary that the advice and assistance of the Legislature should be taken with the least practicable delay. Tour memorialists, therefore, most respectfully and urgently pray that your Excellency will see fit to call together the General Assembly at as early a date as possible, that such measures may be adopted as the critical condition of the Colony demands. And your Excellency's memorialists, as in duty bound, will ever pray, &c. J. D. Obmond, M.H.E., and 395 others.

No. 24. The Hon. E. W. Stafford to the Hon. R. Stokes. (No. 340.) Colonial Secretary's Office, Sir,— Wellington, 23rd April, 1869. I have the honor to acknowdedge the receipt of your letter of the 14th instant, transmitting a memorial to His Excellency the Governor from certain settlers in the AVaipukurau, AVaipawa, and adjoining districts, relative to the present state of Native affairs. I have, &c, The Hon. R. Stokes, Milbourne, Kaikora, E. W. Stafford. Hawke's Bay.

No. 25. To His Excellency Sir George Ferguson Bowen, Knight Grand Cross of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George, Governor and Commander-in-Chief in and over Her Majesty's Colony of New Zealand. The Memorial of the undersigned Inhabitants of the Meanee District, Province of Hawke's Bay, respectfully sheweth: —That your Excellency's memorialists view with apprehension and alarm the increasing spread of disaffection and rebellion among the Native Tribes, and the present very critical state of Native affairs generally, under tho administration of the present Government. That your Excellency's memorialists consider it of the utmost importance that a resident administrator of Native affairs should be stationed in this Province, and believe Donald McLean, Esquire (from his long connection with this department of the Government, and his personal influence with all the Natives of the East Coast), to be the gentleman of all others most pre-eminently adapted to fill this post with advantage to both races of Her Majesty's subjects. That your Excellency's memorialists have for some time past felt little confidence in the administrative capacity of the present Government in Native affairs, but view with grave alarm their last action in withdrawing from Donald McLean, Esquire, his powers as their agent on the East Coast, knowing that the removal of that gentleman from office will create a feeling of insecurity amongst the out-settlers, as well as suspicion in the Native mind, of the motives of Ministers in dispossessing one who possesses more of their confidence than any other in the Colony. That your Excellency's memorialists are aware that great dissatisfaction is felt by the members of the Native race in this locality at their treatment at the hands of the present Ministry, and believing that this dissatisfaction will lead many (who under wiser treatment would have remained loyal) to become actual rebels to Her Majesty's authority, thereby endangering the lives and property of Her Majesty's subjects in this part of New Zealand, beg most respectfully to urge your Excellency to call together the General Assembly with as little delay as possible, in order that means may be taken to avert or meet this clanger, and measures adopted for the general security of the Colony. And your Excellency's memorialists, as in duty bound, will ever pray. W. R. Russell, J.P., and 182 others.

No. 26. Mr. Gisborne to Mr. AY. R. Russell. (No. 352.) Colonial Secretary's Office, Gentlemen,— Wellington, 29th April, 1869. I have the honor, by direction of Mr. Stafford, to acknowledge the receipt of your memorial to his Excellency the Governor, dated the 9th instant, on the subject of the withdrawal of the powers of Government Agent from His Honor D. McLean. I have, &c, W. R. Russell, Esq., J.P., AY. Gisborne, And other Memorialists, Meanee, Hawke's Bay. Under Secretary.

No. 27. Mr. Macdonald to Mr. Atkinson, R.M. (No. 298.) Colonial Secretary's Office, Sic,— AVellington, sth April, 1869. It having been reported that, when recently requesting Ropata and others of the Ngatiporou tribe to enlist for service on the AVest Coast, you stated that Mr. McLean was in favour of their doing so, I have the honor, by the direction of Mr. Stafford, to request that you will be good enough to inform 3

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No. 298. sth April, 1809.

him whether this report is well founded or not, as such a statement on your part was not warranted by any intimation or instruction which you had received from the Government. I have, &c, W. S. Atkinson, Esq., E.M., Alex. C. P. Macbonaxd, Turanganui, Poverty Bay. (for the Under Secretary.)

No. 28. Mr. AY. S. Atkinson to the Hon. E. W. Stafford. Sic,— Turanganui, 21st April, 1869. I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your letter this day (number and date as per margin) requesting me to inform you whether (when recently asking Ropata and others of tho Ngatiporou tribe to enlist for service on the AVest Coast) I stated that Mr. McLean was in favour of their doing so. In reply, I beg most distinctly and emphatically to deny having in any way used Mr. McLean's name for the purpose of inducing the Natives to enlist. My instructions would not have warranted such a course: and I endeavoured, as I always have done, to carry out my instructions to the letter. I have &c, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, W. S. Atkinson, Wellington. Resident Magistrate.

10 PAPERS RELATIVE TO THE AGENCY OF MR. McLEAN.