E—No. lc

TO NATIVE AFFAIRS.

corn, hastened their proceedings, and embarked at twelve. At sunset, arrived at Tikirahi, the upper landing place of Kohanga. Heard during the passage of a river entering the Waikato almut four miles higher up than the Awaroa, and possessing deeper water and fewer snags ; it proceeds through the same forest and swamp, and reaches the firm land about three-fourths of a mile to the east of Pnrapura. The land journey would be half a mile longer, but the other advantages seem by the description to be worthy of notice. [Mem. —Ascertain more certainly about this river, and cause the attention of the Superintendent to be called to it ; if money is spent on this communication, it had better be spent on the right, place.] Left baggage at lauding place, and walked to Kohanga, the station of Mr. Maunsell. That gentleman says the Natives are anxiously expecting me. There were a party of Ngatiuianiapoto, with their chief Rewi, at the landing place ; he expressed a wish that I should visit them. Told him that he must begin to build a Court house to show that his people were in earnest. July 19, Sunday —At Kohanga. July 20, Monday —1\ aata Kukutai came ; gave him books, forms, papers, &c., for the Court house at Taupari. Issued three summonses for Wednesday next—one, cattle trespass; two, adultery ; and one, horse case. He approved of the new forms, and seemed readily to understand them. I told him to demand Is. fee for each summons ; though I am at present inclined to think that a graduated scale would be better, as they almost always demand £20, although they may only intend to prove a very small sum. I think there should be two native magistrates for every Court house. Waata suggested Mohi as his coadjutor, and Po, as the President of the Village Council. This I approve of, as Po represents the old Maori party, who may well be gratified with that office, although it possesses no real power. Arama Karaka proposes to be lawyer, and says he will charge five shillings to any person who employs him ; this is the very mania of imitation. The Court house is not yet finished, but the whole tribe have worked at it. Waata approved of imprisonment for criminal offences (which 1 explained to him,) but not for civil. He says poverty is no crime ; if it were, the whole race might be imprisoned. I directed him to keep any fines and fees which he might receive, and account for them tome ; he was anxious lo devote them to the Church. Told him that, at present, he would receive no salary, that when everything was properly arranged, his pay would begin ; that a uniform had been sanctioned by the Governor, and batons for the occasional police. He approved of these things, but expressed disappointment at not getting the book of the law. He said the Village Councils woulii begin to meet, and he wanted the book to explain law to the people. Had long conversation with Paora Titoki and Karaipu Tβ Kuri of Ngatikahu and Ngatitekehou respectively, urging them, to get their tribes into some sort of order. They said they had tried, but they were the most stupid on the river. This is true ; but I told them that it would not have been so, but for their inertness. They promised to do their best. Received letter from Pehimana asking my interference with the relations of a girl, who was attached to him, and whom he wanted to marry. Letter from Hohepa, asking assistance against Mr. Marshall, who, as he said, refused to pay anything for the privilege of running cattle on his land. He brought the letter himself, and in conversing with him I found that there were several owners, and .Marshall denied his title. Told Hohepa that as the dispute concerned a Maori title, I could not interfere ; that the law could afford him no protection until he held by a legal tenure. It is a hardship, but I think that not only law but policy requires a constant assertion by practical experience of the unmanageable nature of the Maori tenure, contrasted with the easy remedy of evils arising about land held on legal tenure. He acknowledged the truth of what 1 said, but observed that it was hard ;';at one man should suffer for the stupidity of the multitude. .July 21, Tuesday— Letter from Aria asking for ,'300/. Told him that i had no expectation that the Governor would listen to it. Issued summons, Karaipu Te Kuri v. Selby for £2 10s., for trespass of cattle ; Saturday next 'it Tuakau. I have fixed the hearing at Tuakau to give Ngatipo an opportunity of embracing the new system, if they wish to do so. Colonel Russell arrived, and Mr. Ashwell sent word for me to go back in his canoe, but I cannot leave Tuakau until Saturday. Karaipu expressed a little annoyance at the neglect of Government to publish his address to the Governor, on the occasion of hie visit to Kohanga, although a promise to that effect was given by the Interpreter. Nothing appears in the " Maori Messenger" that so interests the Maories as reports of their own sayings and doings. July 22, Wednesday— Held Court at Taupari. The Court house not being yet finished, the roof was temporarily covered with tarpaulins. One end was fitted up with seats for the magistrates, desks and docks for witnesses plaintiff and defendant. A wooden rail separatee! the whole from the larger space reserved for the public. Tried three cases, of which I have kept English nutes, annexed hereto, i From the slowness of the witnesses and the vast amount of impertinent mutter introduced, the three cases occupied all day, until half-past live p.m. Kakutai aeted well, with courage and judgment. The place was crowded witii people, who were remarkable for order and attention ; nut the .slightest iddecorum happening. At the close, another summons was taken out for to-morrow ; a horse case which has excited some feeling, as the plaintiff belongs to a different tribe ; demand, GO/. July 23, Thursday—Tried the horse case. Plaintiff's witnesses rendered it unnecessary to call on defendant to answer. Judgment went for the latter. The plaintiff seemed sad about his defeat ; but enquired if, having sued one man whom he found to be the wrong one, he could now take out another summons against another. On being told yes, he expressed his intention of taking out a summons against a different defendant on my next visit. This was very will, as ii showed that bis confidence in the Court was not shaken. One of his witnesses was a boisterous old Maori chief, Ruhiana, long known in these regions as a turbulent man, and a great orator. He began a Maori speech in the witness box, exhorting us the Magistrates to be just, and give judgment for his friend the plaintiff. After he had continued about two minutes, I asked him if he know anything of the lacts of the case. He replied,

Court— 1

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