E—No. 3

BEFORE THE WAIKATO COMMITTEE.

229. Will you specify the particular points of innovation that appear objectionable to you ?—I have already said that I have read the Report too cursorily to enable me to do more than state what was the general impression produced on my mind. 230. Did you understand on what ground the personal objections you refer to were made against Mr. Fenton ?—1 think they were principally founded on Mr. Fenton's having identified himself with and headed one of the parties who wire mutually opposed. 231. Mr. Fox.~] Were those objections in any way to Mr fenton's personal qualities ?■—l cannot say they were • I can only say that I have heard Natives speak disrespectfully of him. 232. Mr. Bell.'] In respect of what particularly ?—ln respect of his Office as a Magistrate. 233. Mr. Fox.] Would not the same objections have applied to any one holding the same post? — I cannot say; they might have done so.* I am not able to say whether they would or hot.

T. 11. Smith, Esq. 2 Oct. 1860.

Friday, the sth day ok October, 1860. present: Mr. Sewell, Mr. Heale, Mr. Forsaith, Mr. Hunter Brown, Mr. Williamson, Mr. Domett. Mr. Fox, Mr. Dillon Bell in the Chair. The Rev. J. H. Hobbs called in and examined. 234. Chairman.'] Have you been for many years connected with the Wesleyan Mission in this Colony ?—I arrived here in 1823, and have resided in the Colony ever since : chiefly at Hokianga and Whangaroa. 235. Dill you reside for any time among the Waikato Natives?—No; but numbers of the Waikato Natives were living in the North where I was stationed at the time of my arrival, and for many years afterwards. 236. Have you had many opportunities, from your occupations in this Colony, of becoming acquainted with the opinions of the Waikato people?— Not more particularly than with the opinions of the Natives generally. 237. Have you any objection to handing into the Committee the statement you have placed jn my hands ?—None whatever.,— \_Witness handed in the statement.] Grafton Road, Auckland, October 4, iB6O. Having received your communication of the 2nd instant, and read carefully the ". Papers on Native Affairs'' accompanying the same, viz., '• The Reports from Mr. Fenton as to the Native Affairs of the Waikato district," I beg, if it would not be deemed officious, to hand in the following observations :— 1. That, had Mr. Fenton's services been continued in the Waikato district, the Maori King movement would probably have been much checked, if not by this time wholly absorbed in the extension of the Queen's authority. 2. That as the Natives are generally very much disinclined to recognize any subordinate authority, it appears very desirable to support the general influence of such Magistrates as may be at a distance from Auckland, by letting it be known, that, except in very rare cases, all communications with the head of the Native Department should be made through, or in concert with, the Local Magistrate. 3. That gentlemen appointed as Civilizing Magistrates should know the Native language, and be able and willing, frequently to spend half the night, as Mr. Fenton often did, in the Native " Whare-korero," (evening assemblies.) Much information respecting Native Affairs would be thus obtained, as well as an idiomatic mode of expression. 4. No man is likely to do this who does not see that to civilize the New Zealanders is an object worthy of the best energies of his body and mind, 5. The expense of such a civiliz'ng system as Mr. Fenton appears to have intended to establish may seem to some to be alarming ; but it is well worthy of considering whether such expense would not be a mere trifle compared with the unlimited expense of being perpetually at war with uncivilized men. 6. 1 still think it possible thai the Waikato tribes'may be reclaimed and restored to allegiance, if Mr. Fenton. or a person having similar qualifications, were re-appointed to undertake the enterprize. The dry foimalities of law alone, would never enlist the hearts of the Natives ; but a benevolent concern for their general Welfare, combined with a dignified manner, will win them over to English habits, and in time, I hope, induce them to support, to the fullest extent, the authority of Law. John Hobbs, The Chairman of the Wesleyan Missionary. Waikato Committee.

Rev. J. H. Hobbs. 5 Oct. 1860.

15