E—No. 3e

TO NATIVE AFFAIRS.

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9. The Memorialists complain of emigration from their Province, and "consider that they have a " special claim to consideration inasmuch as nearly the whole of the Natives now located in the neigh- " bourhood of the Settlement were a few years since dwelling in the present Provinces of Wellington " and Nelson; and that the purchase of land held by Taranaki Natives by right of conquest at " Waikanae and other places, has been most prejudicial to New Plymouth." This statement is thoroughly incorrect, and Waikanae has not been purchased; but for the particulars I must refer you to the Native Secretary's Report. 10. Memorialists desire an entire change in the policy of the Government, and wish " to enforce " law and order among the Natives, and give support and aid to such of them as are willing to sell " land." As soon as this feud is entirely settled, I purpose (unless reasons of which lam not at present aware should prevent it) to declare the Queen's law to be in force as far as the extreme boundary of the land over which the native title is extinct. This boundary will include some lands belonging to Natives, but I apprehend no objection on their part, and am only withheld from issuing a proclamation to that effect now, because the present time is not opportune. Were Itodo so now, either of the disputants who found himself in danger would, as a matter of course, come within the proclaimed boundary and demand protection as a right, the Government would then find that it had incurred a heavy responsibility, and that a duty was imposed upon it which might not be easy to perform. I therefore hope to maintain a strict neutrality until this feud is at an end, and then to enforce obedience absolutely on those who dwell within the English boundary. 11. As it has been fully admitted in the House of Representatives that no enquiry is necessary, and that the Government is in possession of information not coloured by local or party feelings, I need make no remarks on the final paragraphs of the Memorial. 12. In the enclosed report of the debate in the House of Representatives, I beg to call your attention to the speech of Mr. Ollivier, a member of the Province of Canterbury. I have, &c, T. Gore Browne. The Right Hon. Lord Stanley, M.P., &c. &c, &c.

No. 4. COPY OF A REPORT BY THE NATIVE SECRETARY ON THE MEMORIAL OF THE PROVINCIAL COUNCIL OP NEW PLYMOUTH. The Memorial of the Provincial Council of Taranaki contains so much of the early history of the settlement and of the Native feuds that have arisen there, that I need not advert to these points, inasmuch as they are already well known to the Government. The Native population within the Province is altogether under estimated, and the return of 1782 made by the Assistant Native Secretary can only apply to a portion of the Province, the Native population of the whole Province is certainly not less than 3000 souls. It is true that the land held by these Natives is much in excess of their requirements, so conscious have the Government been of this fact, that every exertion has been used to acquire by purchase from the Natives, the cession of their surplus lands at much higher rates than have been offered for Native land in any other Province, a large sum of money available for this purpose is now deposited at New Plymouth. An officer strongly recommended by the Provincial Government has been appointed to conduct negociations with the Natives, and it has been found that any more vigorous action than has been already taken for the acquisition of land could only lead to the creation of fresh feuds among the Natives in which the settlers and the Government might become seriously involved. Moreover it is clearly the dutj of the Government to abstain from acquiring land when the consequence of its acquisition is in any way likely to bring about serious differences among the Natives, the strict observance of this rule has been enjoined by His Excellency on all the officers of the Land Purchase Department. The Memorial states that, " conflicting advice, however well intentioned, can but cause an increase of embarrassment;" this is so perfectly true, that it is to be hoped that means will be taken to prevent such advice being tendered in future ; such interference has done more to retard the purchase of land at New Plymouth than can be easily imagined. The Memorial sets forth that, "the colonists of Taranaki have a special claim to the consideration of the Government, and of their fellow colonists, inasmuch as nearly the whole of the Natives now located in the neighbourhood of the settlement were a few years since dwelling in the Provinces of Wellington and Nelson, and that the purchase of the lands held by Taranaki Natives, by right of conquest, at Waikanae and other places has been most prejudicial to New Plymouth, by accumulating in one spot the scattered remains of the tribes which had formerly resided here, and most advantageous to the Provinces in which such purchased lands are situated." ° The facts of the case altogether disprove the foregoing assertions, for in the first place, Waikanae is not yet purchased, and although it has been repeatedly offered by Wm. King and other Natives, the Government declined to purchase, from a fear that its acquisition would drive the Natives to Taranaki. . 2. The migration of Natives to Taranaki commenced years before any extensive purchases were made from the Natives at the South.