NATIVE AFFAIRS AND THE AMNESTY (PAPERS RESPECTING).

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1883 Session I, A-08

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1883. NEW ZEALAND.

NATIVE AFFAIRS AND THE AMNESTY (PAPERS RESPECTING).

Presented to both Souses of the General Assembly oy Command of Sis Excellency.

No. 1. His Excellency the Govehnoe to the Secretaey of State for the Coiootes. My Loed, — Government House, Wellington, 19th February, 1883. As regards Native affairs in this Colony, I have the honour to report that matters at present appear to be progressing satisfactorily and peaceably. 2. Acting on the advice of my Ministers, and in accordance with a policy approved by the Legislature of the Colony during last session, I have issued a Proclamation (of which I transmit copies) granting an Amnesty to disaffected Maoris. 3. In further pursuance of the same policy, I have this day granted permission to Te Whiti and Tohu to return to their own home at Parihaka, where they were arrested last year, under circumstances which were duly reported to 3 rour Lordship's predecessor. 4. My Ministers have also decided on re-opening the port of Kawhia, on the coast of the King Country, which has remained closed for about twenty years. Kawhia is of special importance as being the only good harbour on the west coast of the North Island of New Zealand, between Manukau and Wellington, and considerable advantage both to Maoris and Europeans may be expected to arise from its opening. 5. I will report further to your Lordship on these matters by the next mail. I have, &c, Wm. F. Deummokd Jeevois. The Eight Hon. the Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 2. His Excellency the Govehnob to the Seceetaey of State for the Colonies. My Loed. — Government House, Wellington, 24th March, 1888. With reference to my Despatch No. 13, of the 19th February, 1 have the honour to forward herewith a memorandum by Mr. Bryce, the Minister for Native Affairs, respecting the course recently followed by the Government of this colony in regard to the Maoris. This memorandum was presented to me previously to the date of my despatch; but I wished, before transmitting it to your Lordship, to become better acquainted than I then was with one or two of the matters to which it referred. 2. I also forward a memorandum from the Premier, Mr. Whitaker, with regard to the policy of the Government respecting Natives, with special reference to recent legislation and the action which has been taken thereon. 3. Tour Lordship will gather from these papers that affairs are progressing satisfactorily, and I see no reason to differ from my Ministers in their view of the present relations of the Government of this colony with the Native race. Those relations seem to be undoubtedly of a much more friendly character than have existed for many years, and tend to the solution of difficulties which have troubled most Governments here in the past, and at the same time to the progress of civilization amongst the Maoris. 4. The setting apart of ample reserves of land, which, on the recommendations of the Eoyal Commissioner, Sir William Fox, have been appropriated for the Natives, and which at their request are being let for their advantage by the Government —thus excluding speculators from dealing with these reserves —appears to assure the Natives that their just rights will be respected. 5. With regard to the Amnesty, which, as stated in my former despatch, I have lately proclaimed, a question has arisen whether any —and if any, what—Maoris should be excluded from the benefits of it. The possibility of thus limiting it had been contemplated in the Amnesty Act of last session; and some people, more especially on the east coast of the North Island, were of opinion that the Chief Te Kooti, who directed the Natives in the savage attack on Poverty Bay, in the year 1868, should not be pardoned. It appeared to me, however, that, although the deeds of Te Kooti, at the time I refer to, could net be defended on the ground that they were legitimate acts of war, it was infinitely better, in

Enclosure 1.

Enolosure 2.

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the interests of Europeans and Maoris alike, that the Amnesty for all such offences as are referred to in my Proclamation, should be without exception. If Te Kooti or any other Chief or body of Maoris had.been excepted, he or they would have formed the nucleus of a party hostile to the Government, and the very object of the Government, in the conciliatory policy on which they had entered, would have been neutralized. It appeared to me most desirable that a line should be drawn between the past and the future, and that with this view the pardon should be full and complete. I, therefore, quite approved of the proposal of my Ministers, that no Maori should be excluded from the Proclamation of amnesty, copies of which I transmitted to your Lordship with my former despatch. 6. Appended hereto is a telegram from Mr. Bryce, giving an account of his interview with Te Kooti before the Proclamation was issued. From what has since transpired (to which I will presently refer) there seems every reason to believe that Te Kooti will act up to the peaceful professions which he made on that occasion. 7. The troubles on the west coast of the North Island, which gave so much cause for anxiety, and which at one time seemed likely to lead to hostilities, have passed away. In accordance with the permission referred to in my former despatch, Te Whiti and Tohu, on the Bth instant, returned to Parihaka. Since their return there have been no signs of any desire to revive the meetings which kept that part of the country in a state of agitation. Their prolonged sojourn amongst Europeans in the South Island, and the kindness with which they were treated, seem to have produced a salutary effect upon their minds. I think there can be no doubt of the wisdom of the policy of allowing them both to return to their own homes. 8. The re-opening of the harbour of Kawhia has been effected without any question on the part of the Natives. 9. The only difficulty which has been experienced by the Government in carrying into effect the measures passed by Parliament last year, has occurred within the last three days, since I received from the Premier the memorandum now enclosed. Your Lordship is aware that amongst the measures I refer to was one authorizing the raising a loan of £1,000,000 for the completion of railway communication between Wellington and Auckland. A surveyor, Mr. Hursthouse, with an assistant in his department, has lately been employed under the orders of Government in examining the country to the southward of Waikato, with the object of determining upon the route for the railway. As stated in the Premier's memorandum, this survey, after a slight show of opposition on the part of some Natives, was allowed to proceed. The Chiefs Wahauui and Rewi, acting in the place of Tawhiao, whose influence amongst the Natives appears to have very much decreased, gave orders that no obstruction should be offered to Mr. Hursthouse. Notwithstanding these orders, however, a body of fanatics, under one Mahuki, stopped the surveyors, who were escorted by the Chief Te Wetere, of Mokau, and about twenty-five Maoris; and Mahuki's party being superior in numbers, Te Wetere, after a fracas between the escort and the opposing party, thought it wise not to resist Mahuki's men. Mr. Hursthouse, with his assistant and their escort, were consequently made prisoners. On the evening of the 22nd inst., however, I received a telegram [copy enclosed!, in which Mr. Bryce states that Te Kooti, with a body of Ngatimaniapotos, released Mr. Hursthouse and captured and bound most of the Mahuki party. I presume, although the telegram does not so state, that Mr. Hursthouse's assistant has also been liberated. 10. The action of Te Kooti in this affair shows that he fully intends acting up to the professions made by him at his interview with Mr. Bryce, and affords evidence of the wisdom of including him in the Amnesty to which I have before referred. 11. As regards the further prosecution of the survey for the railway, no doubt the matter is one which should be dealt with with much caution and good judgment; but the opposition hitherto made to the examination of the country appears to have been only the act of a few, and, seeing that the Government is supported by the principal Chiefs in their desire to effect the survey, I think it probable that the work will ere long be permitted to proceed without further opposition. 12. For facility of reference, I enclose copies of the Acts referred to in the Premier's memorandum. I have, <fee, War. F. Dbttmmond Jeevois. The Right Hon. the Secretary of State for the Colonies. P.S. —Since writing the above, a telegram has been received from Mr. Bryce (a copy of which I enclose), in which he states that Mahuki has "made a cringing submission and promise of future good conduct." There are statements to the same effect in this evening's paper. —W. F. D. J. Additional Postscript.—Since writing the above, it has transpired that Mahuki's submission was only a feint. He afterwards became very defiant, and he and his party have consequently been arrested. I send herewith copy of the New Zealand Herald, containing latest particulars. This by telegraph to Auckland, and thence by mail. —W. F. D. J.

Enclosure 3,

Enclosure 4.

Enclosure 5

Enclosure No. 1. Memorandum for Sis Excellency the Governor. The condition of Native affairs in this colony at the present time affords, I believe indisputably, room for congratulation. Upon the causes which have produced the improvement in the relations between the two races there may be and are differences of opinion; but as compared with any period of the past history of the colony, there can be no doubt of the favourable condition of the present time. The troubles with the Natives on the West Coast, between HaweraandNew Plymouth, which for years past have been so urgent as to appear on mauy occasions to be on the point of breaking out into open hostilities, may now be said to be definitely ended. The ample reserves which the Legislature and the Government conceded to the Natives out of confiscated land on that coast, have been for the most part defined and Crown-granted. The bulk of the Natives have accepted the position, and are in profitable occupation of portions of their land : other portions are now being leased for them, with their own

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approval, by the Commissioner appointed under the West Coast Settlement Reserves Act. The process of letting these reserves will be pressed to completion, in the interests alike of the Native owners, the occupying settlers, and the colony. These reserves are of large extent and great value. They far exceed in value the total amount of the confiscated land on the West Coast at the time of confiscation. So ample indeed is the provision, that the doubt is suggested whether it is altogether wise to provide means sufficient to keep these Natives in a state of idleness in perpetuity : still it is felt that the error, if error it be, is upon the right side. I believe the Maoris are beginning to realize that what is being done will be of great advantage to them, and at any rate they accept it as inevitable, and obstruction is not now thought of. They are living quietly with their European neighbours, and there appears every prospect of their continuing to do so. The old fighting Chief Titokowaru, when released from prison seven months ago, instead of showing the bad disposition which was feared, exhorted his followers to obey the laws and re-nain at peace. So encouraging is the state of things in that neighbourhood, that I think the time has now arrived when the Parihaka Chiefs, Te Whiti and Tohu, might be returned to their village. It is true there is some little risk that large and dangerous gatherings of Natives might again assemble at Parihaka. Te Whiti's influence, so deeply ingrained in the minds of his followers, is not yet wholly gone ; but I confidently hope that his re-arrest may not become necessary. If lam right in this, by the time the West Coast Royal Commissioner, Sir William Fox, concludes his labours, which will be in a very few months, the West Coast Maori troubles may be finally dismissed as a source of anxiety. Turning now to Waikato and Ngatimaniapoto country, where the Natives have so long kept their concerns separate from the white man and his law, I think there are not wanting assured indications that our Native difficulty there, also, is rapidly passing away. Any one who reflects on what the condition of these Natives was only three or four years ago, and on their tone and temper at that time, can scarcely fail to come to the same conclusion that I have done. Little more than eighteen months ago, the whole country between the mouth of the Mokau and the Waikato confiscated line, including the port of Kawhia, was closed to Europeans, nor could they have intruded with safety. Now, the port of Kawhia has been opened and the channel buoyed, a township is being laid-off, and the Maoris acquiesced so cheerfully that, although the party which accompanied Mr. Rolleston and myself included two ladies, we felt that we could without the slightest risk cross through the very heart of the so-called King Country into the settled districts of the Waikato, and the result justified our confidence. Explorations for roads and railways, and surveys for the profitable occupation of the land, I feel assured can be safely undertaken at a very early period. Only yesterday, communications passed between certain Maori Chiefs and myself, which I feel certain have removed a great difficulty from our path. The Proclamation of pardon under the Amnesty Act of last session has not yet been made. The Government desired, if at all possible, to make the pardon complete and without exception; but it was currently rumoured that Te Kooti, a fighting Chief of evil notoriety, had been recently uttering threats of an alarming character. It was felt by the Government that Te Kooti could not be a fit subject for the Royal pardon, unless he were prepared to give assurances of good conduct; and in order to settle the point, I determined to question him face to face. There was difficulty in bringing an interview about, for ever since the capture of Winiata, which was followed by his execution for murder, Te Kooti has kept European and half-caste visitors carefully away from his settlement. However, a few days ago I sent for him through Rewi, Chief of the Ngatimaniapoto Tribe, to meet me at a place called Manga-o-rongo. He met me accordingly, and I had the honour this morning to furnish your Excellency, by telegraph, a report of what passed at the interview between us. I think the result must be considered satisfactory, and nothing in my opinion need now prevent the Proclamation of pardon being as complete as is desired by the whole of your Excellency's Government. With the issue of that Proclamation, a great source of danger and distrust will be removed from the minds of the Maoris; and, with respect to the colonists generally, lam sure that they would far rather forget, so far as may be, deeds of violence committed many years ago, than see the remembrance of them revived by State trials, which would be certain to embitter the minds of many persons of both races. This memorandum is but a hasty sketch of the present condition of Native affairs, which I trust will not be considered altogether unfavourable. Certainly, the view taken here cannot be thought unfavourable, if contrasted with the asjiect of Native matters in former years. John Beyce, Hamilton, 13th February, 1883. Native Minister.

Enclosure 2. Memorandum for His Excellency. In considering the present condition of Native affairs, it will probably be convenient to state briefly the policy of the colony in respect of the Natives, so far as it was embodied in the legislative enactments of Parliament during its last session, and to follow the general course of events and the action taken by the Government in pursuance of that policy to the present time. The principal legislation affecting districts where difficulties have existed in respect of Native administration, was contained in three Acts :—(1) The West Coast Peace Preservation Act; (2) the Amnesty Act; (3) the Waikato Confiscated Lands Act. The first of these Acts, which has operation until the close of the next session of Parliament, made legal the detention of Te Whiti and Tohu without trial, not " with a view to the infliction of punishment " upon them, but to prevent the possible repetition of meetings which might "cause apprehension and distrust among the peaceable inhabitants of both races, and involve danger to the peace of the colony." The Act further made provision, should action in that direction become necessary, for the prompt suppression of meetings similar to those which had taken place at Parihaka, and which were calculated to endanger the peace of the country. The necessity for the Act was the more apparent, having in view the prosecution of the policy laid down by the West Coast Settlement Reserves Act ot the previous session, under which the work of apportioning the reserves and preparing the way for

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peaceful settlement of both races upon the West Coast, has been steadily progressing. It was no less .in the interest of To Whiti and Tohu themselves than of their people and the colonists generally, that they should be temporarily kept free from the temptation to yield to fanatical impulses until settlement was so far advanced as to make resistance futile, and until motives of self-interest were called into play among the Natives by the profitable management of the reserves on their behalf. The hope, too, which subsequent events have greatly justified, was present to the Government and the Legislature, that a larger acquaintance with the world outside of Parihaka would not be without beneficial effect upon the mind of Te Whiti himself, convincing him of the hopelessness of reverting to his former position. The Amnesty Act was one of more general application throughout the colony. It was passed in the belief that the time had come, or was immediately to arrive, when the Crown could draw a line between the past and the future, condoning past lawlessness and offences, and indicating that, so far as the Government was concerned, if the Natives lived quietly there was no reason for future distrust or uneasiness. The display of power at Parihaka had shown that forcible resistance by numbers to the operaiion of the law was impossible. The capture and conviction of Hiroki for murder, before the passing of the Act, showed, as did that of Winiata afterwards, that justice would sooner or later overtake crime. The question that was decided by the Amnesty Act was whether the time had come when the interests of both races, and the evident disposition of the Natives, for the most part throughout the country, to submit to the law, justified a passing-by of all offences which were associated in their minds with the wars of the past. The Act gave the power to the Governor to extend the Amnesty "to all offences and to all Maoris," or to except " certain offences and certain Maoris " from its operation, It remained for the Government to satisfy itself whether there was in any case sufficient reason to make exceptions. Tour Excellency was pleased to concur in the unanimous opinion of Ministers, that the Amnesty should be complete and without exception. The Waikato Confiscated Lands Act was passed originally in the year 1880, having a duration of two years from that date. The present Act extends its operation for a period of two years longer. The Act enables the Governor to provide lands in Waikato for the residence and settlement of Natives driven out of the Waikato in the late war, and who for the most part have been living an isolated life in what has been known as " the King Country." Various causes have been operating for some time past to break through the isolation of the King party, and it has been the policy of the Government, as expressed in this Act, to afford facilities to those who may desire to avail themselves of them to settle among the European population on the confiscated lands. The course which the Government is taking to give effect to the provisions of the Act, promises to be attended with satisfactory results. It remains to state the course of action which has followed upon the passing of these Acts since the rising of Parliament. Commencing with the West Coast: The survey of the lands set apart in accordance with the recommendations of the Royal Commissioner, Sir William Fox, for the different sections of Natives, has been rapidly progressing. A large number of grants has already been issued to the Natives, and it is anticipated that the apportionment of the whole of the country allotted to them, south of New Plymouth, will be completed within a few months. The Trustee appointed for the administration of the reserves on behalf of the Natives has been for some time past in communication with them, and they have willingly co-operated with him in the determination of the lands to be set aside for their residences, cultivations, and cemeteries, and for leasing. They have agreed already to lease about 34,000 acres, of which 7,590 acres will be offered for lease on the 23rd of next month, at upset rentals of from 2s. to 15s. per acre, producing probably in the aggregate more than £2,000 per annum. Twelve thousand acres more will be leased on a later day, producing probably about £2,400 a-year, and subsequently the remaining 14,410 acres, at a rental of about £3,000 a-year. And these are only a small portion of the whole reserves, amounting to over 250,000 acres, which will ultimately be leased for the Natives. When it is considered that these rentals, diminished only by comparatively small costs of survey and administration, will be paid to the Natives, it must be admitted that the action of the Government, which has in some quarters been the subject of adverse criticism, has promoted the material interests of the Natives to an extent which could not have been the case under any other course of action which has been suggested. It is believed that, when the benefits to be obtained from the administration of their lands by the Government are fully recognized by the Natives, they will be led more generally to avail themselves of the Government agency in the manner contemplated alike by " The West Coast Settlement Reserves Act, 1881," by the Native Reserves Act of last session, and by "The Thermal Springs Act, 1881." On the West Coast, therefore, the progress of the work of the Commissioner; the large and steady increase of European population, amounting probably now to nearly 8,000; the apparently cordial acceptance by the Natives of the proposals of the Government; all pointed to the conclusion that the time had come for openly showing the confidence which events were justifying, and led to the step which has now been taken of releasing Te Whiti and Tohu, and returning them to their own people at Parihaka. This was done on the Bth of this month, very shortly after the proclamation of the Amnesty throughout the colony, which took place on the 13th of February. There was no demonstration on the part of the Natives other than the ordinary greetings, though they were aware beforehand of the return of their Chief, and on the 17th, the day of the month on which his meetings at Parihaka used to take place, when, if at all, any intention to renew those meetings would probably have shown itself, the Natives —it is said by Te Whiti's instructions —abstained from coming to Parihaka lest trouble should arise. No disposition has from that time to the present been shown to revert to the former course of proceedings in connection with monthly meetings. Turning northwards: The opening of the harbour of Kawhia and the passing of the Native Minister through the heart of the King Country, in the first week of the month of February, must be

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taken as evidence of an entirely changed state of feeling among the Waikato and Ngatimaniapoto Tribes, who were in past times among the most disaffected. More than a year ago, in July, 1881, Tawhiao, the Maori King, visited the Waikato settlements, for the first time since the conclusion of the Waikato war in 1865, and six months later came to Auckland. He has lately been visiting different parts of the North Island with a number of followers. The Chief's Rewi and Wahanui, and other important Ngatimaniapoto Chiefs who have been associated with Tawhiao. in the past, remained in the King Country, and have been conferring with the Native Minister as to the survey of the future line of railway from Auckland to Wellington. This survey, after some show of opposition in the first instance by a certain portion of the Natives, has now been permitted to proceed without obstruction. Several causes have contributed to this result —partly that a number of the King Natives are tired of isolation ; partly that the " King movement " has lost its novelty, and that Tawhiao has ceased to have much personal weight or influence ; and partly also that tribal jealousy has been at work, the Waikato Tribe being regarded as but sojourners in the Ngatimaniapoto country. But, whatever may be the cause or combination of causes, it is certain that the " King movement" is looked upon with disfavour by a large number of the more intelligent Natives throughout the country, and this.feeling has been considerably increased by Tawhiao's personal conduct in his travels. Both on the West Coast, therefore, and in the King Country, which were the seats of disaffection but a short time ago, events seem to justify the action taken in proclaiming the Amnesty, and releasing Te Whiti and Tohu. Elsewhere, as at Waipawa, in Hawke's Bay, the readiness of the Natives to concur in a settlement of long-outstanding difficulties, points in the same direction. A memorandum by the Native Minister, written on the 13th of February for your Excellency's information, is sent herewith. This memorandum gives Mr. Bryce's view of the satisfactory condition of Native affairs at that time. Subsequent events, as narrated above, show that his anticipations are in a fair way of being fully realized. Feed. Whitakeb. Wellington, 21st March, 1883.

Enclosure 3. Te Awamutu, 13th February, 1883. The following is a report of my yesterday's interview with Te Kooti:—Native Minister and party arrived at Manga-o-rongo on Monday, the 12th February, at half-past 11 a.m., Te Kooti and a number of his followers arriving shortly after. Manga Maniapoto greeted Te Kooti, and escorted him to where Mr. Bryce was sitting. Te Kooti, shaking hands with Mr. Bryce, said, " Mercy and truth have met together ; righteousness and peace have kissed each other; truth shall spring out of the earth, and righteousness shall look down from Heaven." After this, food was distributed ; it having been arranged that the interview between Mr. Bryce and Te Kooti should not take place until Te Kooti and party had broken their fast. After partaking of food, the Natives assembled in front of the whare where Mr. Bryce was sitting, Te Kooti sitting in advance of his people. Mr. Bryce rose and said, " I greet all the Maoris assembled here, Rewi and the Ngatimaniapotos, and Te Kooti and his people. The greeting is ended. Now, I will speak about the business that brought me here. I have listened to Te Kooti's greeting, and I consider that it is good—it is a greeting of peace. I stand here to-day to express the feelings of the white people of New Zealand—I hope I may add of a great many of the Maoris also. Now, I say this, that it is the desire of the white people that the remembrance of the evils of the past should be buried, but it has been suggested that it would not be well to pardon offences if crimes were to be renewed. I have heard much about Te Kooti. Some say his future conduct will be good; other people say his intentions are evil for the future as in the past. Therefore, I have desired to see Te Kooti face to face, so that he may tell me himself what his future intentions are. I say, for my part, and the Government, that if the evil deeds are not to be repeated, then the Government and the country are prepared to forgive the past. Before you all, I ask Te Kooti to tell.me, like a man, whether he intends to live peaceably for the future. If what he says is satisfactory, as I hope it will be, then one great trouble will be removed from before us. I have met Te Kooti frankly to-day, let him deal frankly with me. I will now listen to what he has to say." —Te Kooti: "My first word. I will not reply to the statements which lam accused of by others. I will say for myself, on the .24th of March, 1878, Mr. Sheehau came to mo at Te Kopua and said, ' Live peaceably at Te Kuiti.' I said to him. ' You did not make peace. I have made it myself. I. ceased the strife, and will never return to it.' In 1874, I ceased strife; I have not since returned to it. I came into the presence of Tawhiao, and will not withdraw myself from it. The statements you have heard that I made about the capture of Winiata are true. He was as one of us, and I might have been taken in the same way. That is why I said of the half-castes that they were not to ahow their faces near me. Manga knows my intentions. I will never return to strife, never. I will not tread again the paths I formerly trod."— Mr. Bryce : " I am glad to hear from Te Kooti, if I understand him right, that he will not do evil in the future. Now, he has referred to the case of Winiata. lam not afraid to refer to Winiata either. The hand of the law was over him, and he was arrested and punished for his crime. Nor do I say that Te Kooti had not reason to be frightened, as the law was over him also, and is over him at the present moment. Last session an Act was passed authorizing the Governor to grant an Amnesty to those who had committed crimes arising out of the war. It was left to the Government to pardon all crimes or to except some. Now, I say that the hand of the law is over culprits; but if that Proclamation was issued the hand of the law would not be over them any longer. Ido not refer to Winiata's crime, which did not arise out of the war, but to those which occurred during the war, or arose out of the war. When this Proclamation is issued it will be in no one's power to arrest or punish tho culprits who are pardoned by it. The matter was left in the hands of the Government, and it was thought that it would be right to grant an Amnesty for all offences. Then it was said,' But what about Te Kooti ? He might

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create evil in the future?' I said, 'I do not know; I will see Te Kooti and ascertain.' That is why I stood up to-day and asked him his intentions. Now, am I right in supposing that he will remain peaceable and not return to his old crimes ? " —Te Kooti: " I have already said that I will never return to my old crimes." —Mr. Bryce: "I am satisfied with your assurance, and I now call upon Rewi Maniapoto to say what he considers Te Kooti's future conduct will be." —Manga Maniapoto: "I was one of the promoters of the King movement, and was against fighting, but was forced into it. I consider that I am in a measure to blame for these crimes, and have never felt at ease, although pardoned, while other offenders were still held guilty. I am sure you can rely upon Te Kooti's assurance for his future good behaviour, and hope that you will issue the Proclamation without delay."—Mr. Bryce: "I accept your assurances. Now, this is the difference between what Mr. Sheehan said and what I now say. There was then no law for an Amnesty, but there is now. On my return to Kihikilii I will telegraph to Wellington and have the Proclamation published in the Gazette. It will be a general Proclamation. It will not say that you can live at peace here only, but everywhere. That Proclamation will bo issued in about a week or ten days. In the meantime, my hand will interpose between you and the law. That finishes my business. And lam now prepared to shake hands." (Mr. Bryce then walked over and shook hands with Te Kooti.) After a lapse of a few minutes, Te Kooti rose and sang a waiata, and said, " As everything is now settled, I will come and shake hands with you." He then advanced and shook hands with the party. The meeting then concluded, and Mr. Bryce got into his trap to leave for Kihikihi. Te Kooti again advanced and said, " Good-bye. For the future I will look to you and myself. If you find me molesting anybody, come and take me." The party then left for Kihikihi. John Bryce.

Enclosure 4. Auckland, 22nd March, 1883. I am happy to say Hursthouse has been liberated. The Maoris say he was tied with a chain, and so weak for want of food that he could hardly stand when liberated. I hear from himself that they have left him nothing but his trousers and shirt. At any rate he was in the hands of fanatics, and I felt anxious about him. Te Kooti came down with a number of Ngatimauiapotos, and, joining with Wetere's men and others who were there, made a dash at to kaumarua, as the Natives call themselves, captured and tied most of them, and then released Hursthouse. John Beyce.

Enclosure 5. Auckland, 23rd March, 1883. I have been very short of accurate intelligence, owing to the distance of Kuiti from a telegraph station. I hope that ringleaders will be arrested, but I am at present moment waiting for message from Alexandra ; meantime I. have not determined. An attempt to arrest on my part, unless assisted by Natives, to be effectual, would involve preparations lasting some time. Telegram has come, Mahuki has made a cringing submission and promise of future good conduct, which seems to have satisfied the Ngatimaniapoto who were present, but has not satisfied me. The outrage was too gross and cruel, and has not been overstated in any one of the accounts published, and I am not in the least inclined to overlook it. lam waiting here for Mr. Whitaker, as he is'to arrive on Monday, but if I remain in Auckland till then I shall leave for Alexandra next day and see this business through. John Beycis.

No. 3. The Peemiee to the Agent-Geneeal. Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Te Kooti main difficulty way Amnesty. Bryce met him, Rewi being present. Explained Amnesty Act. Reply question future behaviour, Te Kooti said, been peaceable ten years, desired never again walk evil paths. Rewi believed Government safely accept Te Kooti's statement; added, much wished general Amnesty. Bryce satisfied. Promised recommend Governor proclaim amnesty offences political and connected war. Gazette issued 13th declaring Amnesty, without exception, under provisions Act. Whitaker. February 15th.

No. 4. The Agent-Geneeal to the Peemier. Sic, — 7, Westminster Chambers, London, S.W., 22nd February, 1883. I had very great pleasure in receiving your cablegram of the 15th instant, announcing that the Government, being satisfied with the condition of Native affairs, had recommended His Excellency the Governor to proclaim a general Amnesty for political offences, and that a Government Gazette had been issued proclaiming such Amnesty, without exception, under the provisions of the Act of last session. I immediately communicated this news to the Colonial Office, and made it public in the newspapers; and, as it is probable that the Secretary of State may shortly lay further papers on New Zealand affairs before the Imperial Parliament, it is my intention to request Lord Derby to allow the intelligence of the general Amnesty to be included in the Blue Book, without waiting for the receipt of the formal despatches on the subject that will be received from the Governor. 1 have, &c, The Hon. the Premier, Wellington. F. D. Bell.

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No. 5. The Agent-Geneeal to the Peemiee. Sib,— 7, Westminster Chambers, London, S.W., sth March, 1883. Continuing my letter of the 22nd ultimo, I transmit herewith copy of a letter from the Colonial Office, expressing the satisfaction with which Lord Derby received the intelligence of the general Amnesty. I have, &c, The Hon. the Premier, Wellington. F. D. Bell.

Enclosure. Sib,— Downing Street, 2nd March, 1883. I am directed by the Earl of Derby to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 16th February, forwarding a copy of a telegram from the Government of New Zealand, reporting that a general Amnesty, without exception, had been proclaimed under the provisions of the Amnesty Act passed in the last session of the New Zealand Parliament. Lord Derby desires me to convey to you his thanks for this communication, which his Lordship has received with much satisfaction. I am, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand. Robeet G. W. Heebeet.

No. 6. The Secretary of State for the Colonies to His Excellency the Goveenoe. Sic, — Colonial Office, Downing Street, 11th April, 1883. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch, No. 13, of the 19th of February last, enclosing copies of a Proclamation issued by you, on the advice of your Ministers, granting an Amnesty to disaffected Maoris, and reporting that you had granted permission to Te Whiti and Tohu to return to their home at Parihaka. I am glad to learn that your Government has been able to advise you to take the action reported in your despatch. I have, &c, Governor Sir W. F. D. Jervois, G.C.M.G., C.8., &c. Derby.

No. 7. His Excellency the Goveenoe to the Seceetaey of State for the Colonies. My Lord,' — Government House, Auckland, 23rd April, 1883. In continuation of my Despatch, No. 18, dated the 24th March last, and of the postscript which I forwarded by telegraph to Auckland, I have the honour to inform your Lordship that Mahuki and twenty-two of his party were, after their arrest, conveyed to Auckland, tried at the Supreme Court there, and convicted of assault occasioning actual bodily harm on Mr. Hursthouse, and of unlawfully wounding a Native named Te Haeri —four of them being also convicted of assault occasioning actual bodily harm on a European named Aubin Ahier —and on the 6th instant sentenced to terms of imprisonment varying from twelve to six months, with hard labour. Some of the prisoners have since been, or are about to be, transferred to gaols in other parts of the Colony. 2. On the 6th instant I, having arrived at Auckland that day, had an interview with certain Chief's and others of the Ngatimaniapoto tribe, who had acted in a loyal manner with regard to the obstruction caused by the action of Mahuki, and had come to Auckland to give evidence on behalf of the Crown at the trial. I conversed for some time with them, through an Interpreter, and pointed out the advantages of peace and progress to Maoris and Europeans alike; and they gave me, as Her Majesty's representative, a most cordial welcome to New Zealand. 3. On the 16th instant, Mr. Bryce, the Minister for Native Affairs—it having been decided that it was desirable he should go in person through the King Country —started from Alexandra, accompanied by Mr. Hursthouse, some other European gentlemen, and several leading members of the Ngatimaniapoto tribe. The party met with no opposition worth mentioning, but, on the contrary, were cordially received by the large majority of the Natives, and arrived at New Plymouth on the 22nd instant in safety. 4. I transmit herewith extracts from the New Zealand Herald, giving a full account of Mr. Bryce's journey. I have, <fee, The Right Hon. the Earl of Derby, &c. War. F. Detthaiond Jeevois.

Authority : Gbobqb Didsbuey, Government Printer, Wellington.—lBB3.