E—No. lc

TO NATIVE AFFAIRS.

Written to toxvn are very uncertain grounds of information on xvhich to found a judgment. I saw a very complimentary and loyal letter from Hori Te Waru to the Governor, when I xvas in Auckland. Now, I learn that about the time he xvas writing that letter, he publicly opposed Takerei in his assembly of Ngatimaninpoto (before recounted), and exhorted the people to remain firm to the king, and instead of returning the subscriptions to enlarge them. I think this system of deception amonyst the natives should be discouraged. Moreover, I think it should be generally known that the friends of law, and the orderly citizens, will be more likely to obtain favours than the advocates of Maoriism. Thompson publicly asked at the great meeting—" How do we know that the Governor disapproves of xvhat we are doing. He never said so." I hear that Ngatihaua are still pushing on the transfer of all the land to the king. Their deeply rooted feeling about land, and our exceeding desire to obtain possession of the xvhole soil of the country, has much to do with this pertinacity in agitation. It cannot be said that they are wrong in making this strong desire about land a leading matter in a great political movement. The two matters are mixed in their minds, and we encouraged or caused this feeling by the consolidation of the Land with the Native Department. I always looked upon that consolidation as imprudent, and every day my opinion is strengthened. The gradual suppression of the Native Secretary's Department commenced when Major Nugent went to Taranaki. Land Commissioners, in succession, were put in as Acting Native Secretaries, for short periods, until the office became thoroughly subordinate, and the acquisition of land xvas the only object really attended to. I have long thought on the contrary, that the two departments should have been kept as distinct as possible. However, when the Maories saw that every thing except the transfer of the soil of the country xvas regarded as of secondary importance, they took measures to protect themselves. And they cannot be said to have been xvrong in their premises, for doubtless the first desire of the Europeans xvas and is the territorial possession of the soil. But xvas it wise policy by an official act, to proclaim this fact to the Natives. It is not likely that Europeans would be wanting to assist the Maories in their reasoning, even if such aid were necessary. I may properly xvrite this opinion now, though at the time the amalgamation took place, I could not, with propriety, give such an opinion unasked. I anxiously desire the time xvhen the Council of the district may be called together. The magistrates would be sure, by means of this body, of getting all their judgments implicitly obeyed. The " strengthening of the magistrates," William Nero observed to the Governor, would be the chief duty of this Council. No individual Natives could resist such a body. When the matters litigated is betxveen men of the same tribe, the village Council suffices to enforce the decision of the magistrates ; but in inter-tribal matters we must have a body of more extended influence, I think there is some truth in xvhat Te Wiremu said when he asked for payment for the builders of the Court-house. It should, he said, be regarded as the property of the Queen, and not of the Maories. Heta remarked to-day, What folly it is in this people striving for a king. In the first place lie xvould have but little money ; and then xvhat little he had would have the Queen's head on it, or no one xvould take it." Friday, August 7.—Conversed with Hoera xvho came over from Kirikiriroa to see me. Pirihi xvas gone to Maungatautari to reason with Tioriori, who still dings to King, although a legally appointed Native Assessor. I consequently do not visit him, as the people would reject my authority. Soon, doubtless, he xvill xvrite. Settlement after settlement thus writes for admission, generally addressing themselves to a native who applies to me. Told Hoera that I should not go to Kirikiriroa as I xvas sent in consequence of an expressed desire on the part of the Maories, in which the people of that place did not join. Hoera is a very worthy man. Raukaupango, old chief of Kahumatuku, complained of a piece of land belonging to him betxveen the Mangawara and the Thames, being included and surveyed in a piece sold by Ngatipaoa. He wished to leave the arrangement of his land to Takerei and myself, but I told him I could by no means interfere in land disputes, but Takerei might do so. Left Pepepe, and slept at Timaru. Flood still strong against us, though the water has fallen several feet. Takerei told me that Konewhanewha and other owners of Ngaruawahia objected to Potatau's coming to live there, and indeed xvould not sanction it. If Potatau does not mind, he will lose his remaining influence. He is a thorough Maori. Mr. Ashxvell thinks that the reports of our trials xvould make the " Maori Messenger" interesting —omitting the crim. cons., I agree xvith him. There must be some thing faulty in the system of sending these papers, for I rarely see one. Takerei and Taneti in company. They issue orders with great authority. Every one says that Takerei is a new man. lam somewhat ashamed of directing these people to do this and that, xvhen I reflect that although they devote so much time to the public service, they get no payment (xvith one exception.) Saturday, August 8, Karakariki.—Left Timaru this morning xvith same party. They directed all the people in our way up to assemble here on Monday. Tarahawaiki and the people of king were holding a meeting this morning. Takerei says he should much prefer deferring our journey to Kawhia and to Ngatimaniapoto until my next circuit, as he has net got his wheat in, and the seed time is already past. As the Kawhia people xvaited two years before they requested interference, they may well wait a little longer. I xvas glad to consent to his proposal. In the evening the people began to assemble here for Monday. The object of the meeting is to consider whether they shall establish a nexv settlement at a distance from their kingite relations, and if so, xvhere it shall be. Although I dislike this direct split, I do not think it would be xvell to interfere xvith their own views of a matter which, after all, is of almost daily occurrence amongst them. Hone Kingi came in the evening from Horotiu, whither he had been on a visit to Tioriori to induce him to abandon his indecision, and accept heartily the new system and the Queen's authority. He reported favorably of Tioriori, but said that the tribe generally (Ngatihaua) xvere still xvorking for king. They have appointed six men to mark out the boundaries of their land to be handed over to the custody of king, He also brought a letter from Tioriori stating a case of murder and another of theft, and requesting me to go to Maungatautari, and see

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