BEFORE THE WAIKATO COMMITTEE.

F—No. 3

remove this feeling and restore confidence to the loyal party. I have done all that I could, as an individual, to support the drooping spirits of the Queen's party, but against such determined inaction on the part of Government, reason or argument is of no avail. The partial operation of the Runanga in this district has convinced me that it is the only system calculated to bring the Natives under the influence of the British laws, and remove invidious distinctions betwt en the two races. I would not say it is a panacea for all evil, but its good effects are incalculable ; numerous instances which I could, if necessary, adduce. Delay is proverbially dangerous—in this it might be fatal, and for that reason I feel it my duty, as one well acquainted with Native feelings, to urge immediate attention to and action in this matter. A Waikato Settler," I also wish to put in an extract of another letter written by me under date, August 25th 1857, as follows :— " The object of the Queen's party, at this meeting, was to obtain the consent of all the natives present to a system called the " Runanga." I could not fully explain this system without trespassing too much on your space, and therefore, I would briefly observe that the object of it is—so far as I understand it—to introduce local Courts for the administration of justice, and for the determination of all disputes or plaints of whatever nature amongst themselves—the appointing their own judges or magistrates, as well as officers of the respective Courts, who will act under the supervision, nevertheless, of a Resident Magistrate appointed by Government. The ultimate object being, I believe, to bring them into subservience to and connection with the English law; in fact to make them good and loyal subjects; or, as I heard it expresssed the other day, to do away with the distinction of " Pakeha" and " Maori," and introduce the word " Tangata" instead. This would be a real fusion of the two races, a very desirable object in my opinion. As regards the Resident Magistrate for this District, the natives are particularly fortunate in having " the right man in the right place," and I anticipate much good from his persevering efforts for their welfare. The Runanga is already in partial operation in this District, and so far with the most beneficial effect; and I therefore venture to draw the conclusion that, when in full operation, the king's party will be so entirely convinced of its unquestionable merits, that they will voluntarily accede to it and abandon their own foolish agitation for a king. I could at once if necessary adduce instances, in support of this, of natives who sided with the king's party at the meeting having subsequently joined the Runanga." 72. Had Mr. Fenton any fixed place of residence in the Waikato district?— None. 73. He then only visited it occasionally to hold his circuit?— Yes, I think at intervals of from 4 to 6 months. 74. Was the fact of his non-residence a source of discontent among the Natives?—lt was; they held a Runanga about it, at which I was present. I scarcely feel myself at liberty to say what took place there, because I directed their proceedings. They made (at my suggestion) a written application to the Government that Mr. Fenton should permanently reside in the District. [The witness here made a statement which he said he should not like to put in evidence]. 75. Mr. Bell.] Will you permit the statement you have just made to be taken down ?—I leave myself in the hands of the ( ommittee. There were strong objections to Mr. Fenton on account of his non-attendance. Previous to the Runanga I received a letter signed by 3)0 or 400 Natives, which I will send to the Committee*, expressing their desire to have a permanent Resident Magistrate, and asking whether I would allow this Runanga to nominate me to the Governor for the appointment. I refused to attend the Runanga if my name was used, and said that they must support the officer appointed at their own request; but offered on condition of my name not being used to assist them with advice. I wish it to be understood that their application to me did not originate in any dissatisfaction with Mr. Fenton personally or want of confidence in his abilities or proceedings, but simply on account of his non-residence.

J. Armitage, Eiq. 28 Sept. 1860.

* [The following is the Correspondence sent in by the witness.] I have the honor to forward the original document alluded to by me in my evidence respecting myself, and also endorsed thereon a copy of the letter from the Natives in this District to His Excellency, respecting Mr. Fenton's permanent residence therein. With reference to the action of the Native Office in this District, I beg to state that during my residence here of ten years Mr. McLean has been three times only (the last occasion being at the great Ngaruawhia Meeting in May last), Mr. Smith only once, and that within the last twelve months. I also beg to state that I do not know of any action of the Native Office here except of a prejudicial character, as the following statement will prove :—ln 1858 a Native called Hone Kingi Te Paki was deputed by several Tribes to see His Excellency as to the delay in carrying out Mr. Fenton's proposed system of laws and on other matters ; he informed me of the object of his jonrney, which I highly commended. On his return* I asked him what success he had met with ; he informed me that he had applied to Mr. Smith (Assistant Native Secretary) for an interview with His Excellency, and that Mr. Smith inquired of him his bnsiness ; he declined communicating this, and Mr. Smith refused to give him the interview. The consequence of this was that he felt himself deeply insulted ; that the tribes by whom he was deputed thought so also, and that they soon afterwards joined the King party, though they had previously been its determined opponents. Another case of a similar nature I am also aware of, but as I had it from hearsay only, I forbear \o trouble the Committee with particulars.

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