MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN

9. Would Mr. Armitage be a person whose information would be of value to the Committee, with reference to this enquiry ?—I consider Mr. Armitage the best person to give the Committee information on the subject under consideration. 10. Do you know any other person likely to throw light upon the subject ?—The Rev. Mr. Ashwell, Archdeacon Maunsell, and Mr. Reid (in a small degree). These gentlemen lived in the heart of my district. 11. Could we obtain native evidence on the subject ?—Yes, no doubt. 12. Who would you name ?— Waata Kukutai, of Taupiri, Karaipu Tc Kuri, of Tuakau, Hohapata of Pungapunga, Wiremu Te Wheoro of Meremere, Hetaraka Murupaenga of Horahora, Rawiri of llawhitu, Hona of Kahuinatuku, Takerei and Taneti. of Karakariki, Mohi, Panapa, and Te Reweti, of Whatawhata, Hopa of Te Awatoetoe, Te Raihi of Matamata, Tioriori, of Maungatautari, Pirihi of Kirikiriroa. and Hemi, Matini, Hetaraka, and Wiremu Nero te Awaitaia of "Whaingaroa; especially those in italics. Mr. Armitage, of the Waikato, called in and examined. 13. What is your name ?—James Armitage. 14. Are you a solicitor ?—I am. 15. When did you arrive in New Zealand ?—ln October, 1850. 16. How long have you resided in Waikato ?—Since 1851. 17. You have a cattle station there ?—I have. 18. Have you, during your residence there, been in continual intercourse with the Natives, and acquired their language, and are you acquainted with their customs ?—I hare so, and lam well acquainted with their customs. 19. You remember Mr Fenton's arriving at the Waikato, as Resident Magistrate ? —I am thoroughly acquainted with the whole of Mr. Fenton's proceedings in introducing a system of law into the Waikato I attended most of the principal runangas* there. I watched with considerable interest the progress of this movement.

F. l>. Fenton, Esq.

,/. Armitage, Esq.

Friday, the 28th day of September, 1860. present: Mr Domett, Mr, Williamson, Mr. Hunter Brown, Mr. Dillon Bell, Mr Heale, Mr. Fox, Mr. Sewell in the Chair. Mr. Armitage further examined. 20. Chairman.] Are you prepared to give the Committee any statement on the points submitted to you yesterday ?—I should prefer making a viva voce to a written statement. Before I proceed, I desire to say that, on the occasion of the meeting at the installation of Potatau as Kin"-, also at a meeting when the flagstaff was erected, I reported the proceedings and speeches of such meetings for the Southern Cross. 21. Mr. Heale.] Did you observe the necessity of civil institutions amongst the natives before 1857 ?—I am of opinion that such necessity existed, arising from the surprising development of the native mind for powers of self-government. This development was principally caused by fear of being placed in subjection by the European race; and as the Natives were emerging from a state of barbarism, I consider it was the duty of the Government to direct such development. - The impression made on my mind arose from conversations with chiefs and general observations at their meetings. The desire on their part was general among the older chiefs; not among the very young men, but men of 25 and upwards. 22. Would you point out any attempts among themselves to introduce the system ?—The only practical form in which I observed this development was the runanga. 23. These runangas are the habitual custom of the natives ?—They are summoned as required, but were not held so frequently before as siuce 1857- At that time, great agitation seems to have arisen in their minds. 24. Did you observe the character of the subjects discussed at the runangas ?—lt seemed to me to be a discussion on the ture\ and form of Government. 25. Did you observe that this was of an imitative kind, in imitation I mean of our runangss ''. — Very much so, resulting from observations of Europeans. Their mode of redress prior to this period was the taua. 26. Mr. Domett.] Did they even so late as 1857, resort to tauas ?—They did. 27- Chairman.] Give your explanation of the taua ?—lt was an armed party to redress an injury by force. * Councils. f Law.

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