E—No. 3.

NATIVE INSURRECTION.

I could extinguish the Native tiMe to land satisfactorily, and without compromising the neutrality which I had determined to observe in all Native quarrels. I will not trouble you with details of these interviews, but the accompanying address, which was signed by the Superintendent and nearly the whole of the respectable inhabitants, shews that I | was fortunate in being able to afford satisfaction. 3. 1 had also an interview with the Chief, Wm. King, and a large part of his tribe, who came to see me. I took advantage of the opportunity to declare that, " for the future, I had determined that • " every man, whether lie be Maori or Pakeha, who may commit any violence or outrage within the ' " European boundaries shall be arrested and taken before the Judge, and the sentence of the Judge, ' " whatever it may be, shall be carried into effect; that I was determined the peace of the settlers •• should no longer be disturbed by evil doers; and that the Maories who are not content to live in " peace among the Pakehas had better go elsewhere." This declaration was received with satisfaction by both races who dwell within the European boundary, and will, I trust, have a beneficial effect. Wm. King and his men, who live outside the boundary, remained silent. 4. After this, a Chief, named Teira, offered some land for sale, which he and his relatives desired to dispose of to the Government, and which, as being situated at the mouth of the Waitara river, on the South bank, will be a valuable acquisition to the Province. He pressed for an immediate answer, and I replied that if he could give a satisfactory title I would accept his offer. Another Chief rose to object, but when asked if he had any claim to the land, admitted that he had not. William King then rose, and while asserting no claim to it, said he would never permit that land to be sold; then, waving his hand to his people, he and they left the meeting with some want of courtesy to myself. 5. Since then, progress has been made in ascertaining Teira's right to dispose of the land (of which there seems to be little doubt) and, if proved, the purchase will be completed. Should this be the case, it will probably lead to the acquisition of all the land South of the Waitara river, which is essentially necessary for the consolidation of the Province, as well as for the use of the settlers. It is also most important to vindicate our right to purchase from those who have both the right and the desire to sell. 6. The right to sell land belonging to themselves without interference on the part of the Chiefs (not having a claim to share in it) is fully admitted by Maori custom ; any recognition of such a power as that assumed by W. King would therefore be unjust to both races, because it would be the means of keeping millions of acres waste and out of cultivation. I have, however, little fear that Wm. King will venture to maintain his assumed right ; but have made every preparation to enforce obedience should he presume to do so. Copies of the instructions 1 have given to both the Civil and Military authorities are herewith enclosed. J 7. I found the settlers extremely anxious that favor should be shewn to Ihaiah, the Chief with i whom W. King is at feud, and who has always been a friend to the English. His quarrel with King « is chiefly because the latter has some claim on the land which he desires to sell, and which King will neither yield nor sell. I have, however, declared my firm determination to remain entirely neutral in this and all other Native feuds, and to purchase no land without the consent of all who have L a claim to it. „ 1 granted an amnesty to Ihaiah because the murder of which he was cognizant was a retributive T one, and quite in accordance with the Maori law of right ; but I positively declined to interfere any 21 further in his favour. Ihaiah then wrote to me, requesting that I would take him and his people under my protection, and declaring that he and they would submit to English law, I replied that he would find the same protection which is invariably afforded to all who seek it, without distinction of race or tribe, if he chose to come into the Settlement and under the British flag, but that I should not send an escort to brinij him in, as my so doing would make it appear that I was a partizan of his. 8. On the whole, I venture to say that my visit to Taranaki has been useful; it has enabled me to satisfy the settlers that their interests have not been neglected; the Natives have had an opportunity of discussing various matters; and if the land now under negotiation can be obtained legitimately and without breach of Maori ideas of right, I have little doubt that other tracts of land of considerable extent will be offered for sale, and I shall thus be able to satisfy the demands of all moderate men among the settlers. I have, &c, (Signed) T. Gore Browne. Enclosure in No. 2. CIRCULAR TO OFFICERS OF THE NATIVE DEPARTMENT AT TARANAKI. New Plymouth, 23rd March, 1859. The Governor wishes to impress upon the Officers connected with the Native Service that he desires to maintain a strict neutrality. If Criminal Offences are committed within the English boundary the law must take its course without distinction of race.

No. 1Address of Set' tiers, Taranaki. 15th MarchTlM9.

No. 2. The Governor'! Address to Natives, Taranaki. Bth March, 1859.~

No. 3. Instructions to Civil Officers, Taranaki, 33rd March, 1859.

No. 4. Letter to Major Murray, Coranainlirig at raranaki. 'let March, 1859,

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