FURTHER PAPERS RELATIVE

Court 2,

Meeting—4.

the number of about 200, declared themselves anxious to range with us. He asked them how much they had subscribed to the king, and was answered £1 17s. He told them to return the money to the subscribers, and annul any arrangements they might have made abut land. They pressed him to come and live with them, and talked about a Court House. But final arrangements mere postponed until my arrival. He asked about our journey to Kawhia, saying that he had rather defer the journey there than delay the publication of the book about the laws. We are to go up the river and visit several settlements together. August 4, Tuesday—Went with Taneti over the land set out for grass, looking over the boundaries of the several estates. To-morrow they write letters about it. Issued summons to Kereopa ats Wiremu for adultery with his wife, for to-morrow. One of Ngatiwhauroa from Kahumatuku came to see me about magistrates for this part of Waikato, and about Village Council for that pa. Told him to come to the Court to-morrow, and talk. In a conversation with me, Mr. Chandler spoke in a gloomy manner of our prospects, and foresaw a collision before two years were over. I see no reason for agreeing with him, unless we make strange blunders. Mr. Ashwell's school is increasing. I have no doubt that before long, every parent will be anxious to send his child to school. How the establishments can feed and clothe them is a question ; but I think this result is certain, for the value of knowledge is becoming daily more appreciated. August 5, Wednesday.—Went to hold Court at Pepepe, two miles. Constant stoppages by the way, by people who wanted information on points of law. Tried only one case, as usual adultery. Self and Takerei, Taneti sitting with us. The former has very much improved, and has become firm and decided ; the latter too, will, I think, do very well. The defendant, an impertinent fellow and known bad character, on hearing judgment said he would not pay. I said we should not reason with him, but would find out a plan to make him, and directed him to leave the room. He shortly returned and asked for time, expressing his regiet for what he had said. Several persons came and asked for advice, &c. Afterwards we talked about sowing the land with grass seeH, and letters were written to Government requesting an advance. This movement will produce great effects. Once started in the system of laying down land in grass, they have taken in my mind the first step in material improvement. Everything else, more or less, depends upon the possession of grass fields. For instance, at present their power of cultivating wheat is very limited, for want of food for their horses. Moreover, fields cannot be moved, and nothing can tend more to ensure fixity of residence. Good houses, proper farms, &c, will all follow in good time. The Maories seem so thoroughly to recognize the good likely to result from grass, that they have proposed not only to sow the old lands, but to plough up fresh. lam only held back by ignorance of what the Government would wish to be done, and whether they will supply seed. Received letter from Kikikiriroa asking me to go there, and try a case. Appointed to-morrow for a meeting of Ngatiwhauroa to hear their opinions. Heard that Ngaungau are slightly dark, because I did not call a meeting of them. It is impossible to steer clear of all difficulties in this new navigati >n. August 6, Thursday.—Held meeting at Kahumatuku of Ngatiwhauroa. Decidpd upon erecting a Court-house, and were anxious to plough up the land adjoining the school land on the other si-e of the river, and lay it down in grass. One man advocated the causp of king, but met with no supporters. (See proceedings.) The people of Moerangi, Mangawara, joined in the proceedings, and will in future attend each Court day. Afterwards marked out the site and dimensions of the building. [Mem.—Ft would be well if the clause of the Summary Proceedings Ordinance which restricts the laying of informations to three months, were altered as far as respects sale of spirits.] It was suggested to me by a native, Heta, that it would be will, in to facilitate the division of lands, to cause a native to learn surveying. The grass lnnds will surely be divided, and a survey will, of course, be necessary. A European surveyor would be expensive, and would moreover excite the jealousy of the Maories. The appearance of a surveyor in a distr'ct always excites more or less distrust. I should think that an intelligent native taken from the schools would soon learn the art. I have known Europeans acquire it in three months. It would be a great good if Government could afford an agriculturist, if not permanently, at any rate during the season of sowing and reaping the grass. It is important that the seed of the first year's growth should not be spoiled or lost from ignorance. We have laid down a rule that we will not entertain any case whose origin was previous to April, when the desire for law and Government was publicly expressed at the great meeting at Paetai. I say that difficulties which arose under the Maori ritenga, must be settled by the Maori ritenga. I was induced to establish this rule for two reasons, —first, I observed a tendency in the Maories to search their memories for any matter, however old the date, in which they had a chance of winning any thing in a law suit, many of which matters it would be impossible to decide on; and secondly, 1 think it well to keep constantly before the public mind, that we have entered on a new era. I wish the line of demarcation to be kept distinct. The Magistrates are every where treated with great respect, the Muories thoroughly recognizing the fact that the new system is their own, and that their dignity is pledged to its success. When ihey observe, " we shall fail in this or that," I reply, " I tell you what to do, and it is your own affair that you succeed. Your dignity will suffer more than mine." The consequence is that they exert their faculties, and do succeed. I think it would be well if the people in general who apply to the Native Departments (except on land), were to be directed to come prepared witn the opinion of the Magistrates either for or against. At present, it is impossible that ihe character, the sayings, and doings, of men who apply at the office in Auckland, &c, can be known, and consequently must undeserving men sometimes get assistance which may be defied to a true friend of law and order : forokoru for instance. This matter has been uieatioaed to me with regret by several. The letters

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