E—-No. 3e

No. 1. MB. F. A. CARRINGTON TO HIS EXCELLENCY COL. T. GORE BROWNE, C.B. New Plymouth, 21st March, 1859. Sir — In my Letter of the 12th July last, addressed to the Earl of Shaftesbury, and forwarded to Your Excellency on the 29th October, for consideration or transmission, the following passage occurs: " The Chiefs, with few exceptions degraded savages, are jealous of each other in every transaction "regarding the payment made by Government for the land, and in many instances there are contend- " ing parties for the same piece of ground; hence it follows that these poor ignorant beings become "exasperated with each other, and deeds of blood and murder, and the most revolting acts have en- " sued from this the present mode of acquiring land in this settlement," &c. It is therefore with deep concern I learn " That special instructions from Her Majesty preclude " Eis Excellency from coercing a minority of the Natives into selling their lands" without a discretionary alternative; " that he felt that such a proceeding would be impolitic and unjust, and that there- " fore he never would sanction it," &c. The coercing a minority of the Natives into selling their lands is a course which Her Most Gracious Majesty, Your Excellency, and all right-minded men would never sanction, but insomuch as the peace of this settlement and the well-being of this community, both Native and European, hinges on this very point, I respectfully and earnestly submit for consideration the following remark and suggestion. When a majority of the Natives have determined on offering a tract of Waste Land for sale, the resolve is made after much speechifying, consultation, and reflection, with the view of obtaining money for the purpose of procuring such commodities as are genial to their feelings and conducive to their advancement and civilization; but if through a minority of the Natives the majority are thwarted in their wishes, and prevented from selling their equitable portion of the said Waste Land, feelings of the worst character are generated between the parties, and experience in this place tells us that "deeds "of blocd and murder, and the most revolting acts have ensued from this, the present mode of - ac- " quiring laud in this settlement." I therefore beg leave to suggest for your Excellency's consideration, that when a majority of the Natives are desirous of selling a tract of waste land, subject to the approval of the Chief Land Purchase Commissioner, that Native Assessors be authorised to inquire into the claims of the opposing party, and that they be empowered to determine a boundary, and apportion to them such quantity of the said tract as in their opinion shall be just and equitable in every point of view. If some such course be adopted, I truly believe it, will be a means of conciliating much angry feeling, and prevent further dissension and effusion of blood. I have, &c, Fred. A. Carrington. His Excellency Col. Gore Browne, C.B. &c, &c, &c.

No. 2. CAPT. STEWARD TO MR. E. A. CARRIKGTON. New Plymouth, 22nd March, 1859. Sir — I am directed by the Governor to acknowledge His Excellency's receipt of your Letter of 21st inst., and I have the honor to inform you that there is an inaccuracy in the report of what the Governor said on the occasion you allude to. The Governor informed the deputation that he had reported at great length to Her Majesty's Government on Native Affairs in connection with the Province of Taranaki, and particularly in reference to a proposal to coerce a minority of Native proprietors who might be disinclined to sell their land. He expressed his opinion that such a course would be (considering our engagements with the Natives) both unjust and impolitic, and Her Majesty's Government had conveyed to him, in a Despatch by the last mail, their unqualified approval of his views. His Excellency is obliged to you for your suggestions, but differing in opinion with you as he does, lie is unable to adopt them. I have, &c, F. G. Steward, F. A. Carrington, Esq., Private Secretary. New Plymouth.

FURTHER PAPERS RELATIVE TO NATIVE AFFAIBS.