AGAINST MR. C. W. RICHMOND.

13

F—No. 3

Dr. Featherston 6 Aug., 1861.

present the Natives are reassured, but I cannot answer for the continuance of tranquillity between the races as such inflammatory articles are published in the newspapers, in which people bf much local influence do not disguise their wishes to seize upon the land of the Natives. "It may be in the recollection of the Officer Commanding the Troops that Wm. King during the disturbances near Wellington in the year 1846 and the beginning of 1847 took an active part on the part of the Government side, and was instrumental in a great measure iv driving Rangihaeata from his fortified position in the Howkini valley ; on this account I think he deserves more consideration than is manifested towards him by the local authorities." Selection from Sub-Enclosure to Enclosure 3 in No. 68. " A report, &c," 3rd paragraph. —" Turton he said bad things about us which are false, he sent to the Waikatos, and told them I and my people were going to destroy the Town. My thoughts are that the Governor should investigate and put a stop to such wicked reports." " Turton says I am bad for going to the Kaipakopako, why does he not tell Paharama Te Waka and Honi Ropea to stop away ;if they do, I will." " The thoughts of the Superintendent and Provincial Council are bad towards us, it is the land, but they will not have it whilst this feud lasts, that subject must be talked of quietly, when the Puketapus have settled their matter, at present no land will be sold." Extract from Governor Gore Browne's Despatch to the Right Honourable Lord John Russell, November 19th, 1855, No. 79. Paragraph 2.—" In answer to an Address presented to me by the Inhabitants, I took occasion to express in strong terms the necessity of our abstaining from all interference in this quarrel, and while I assured the Inhabitants of protection within the settlement, declared my fixed determination, not to allow the troops to be used for any other purpose." Extract from Enclosure in No. 79. " Since that time various portions of land have been acquired by purchase, but there is still a deficiency, and although the greater part, and all the most respectable settlers, have abstained from expressing discontent, individuals have from time to time, in conversation, by letters in the newspapers, and otherwise, shown a strong desire to expel the Natives and take possession of the lands to which they consider themselves entitled in right of the New Zealand Company's original purchase." " Such antecedents are not likely to have laid the foundation of mutual confidence, and accordingly distrust which in most other Provinces has given place to better feelings, has not done so at New Plymouth." And after giving an account of Mr. Cooper's proceedings: the Governor goes on, —"I have however disapproved of Mr. Cooper's conduct in commencing a survey before he was assured that all who had even a disputed claim to the land desired it should be sold, and have declined to make a demand for reparation, which could only be enforced at the expense of a general war, including sooner or later all the tribes in the Northern Island. The case has unfortunately been aggravated by the injudicious zeal of Mr. Turton, a Wesleyan Missionary, whose letters addressed to the Chiefs of other tribes, as well as those in the newspapers, some of which have originated with him have alarmed Katatore's people and revived the old suspicion that the Europeans would not rest until they had slain and taken possession of that which the Maories liken to Naboth's vineyard." Extract from Mr. T. F. Riemcnschncider's Letter to the Native Secretary, Taranaki, September 24th, 1855. After stating that they (the Maories) consider the Government had no just ground for interferring at all in the Puketapu quarrels, nor for taking any steps whatever against either or both of the two Chiefs, Katatore and Wiremu Kingi. In support of their argument they give the following reasons, 1, 2, 3, 4. " Fourthly. As to Wiremu Kingi because he can be accused of no crime ; he is on his own his own land, being the real and true Chief of Waitara." In reference to the last named point the Taranaki Natives declared, " As long as this policy shall be adhered to, say they, (referring to Col. Wynyard's letters on the subject) mutual peace and good will will be upheld and continue between themselves, (Taranaki) and the settlers and the soldiers. But if the new Governor should set Col. Wynyard's words and plans aside, and contrary to it adopt any hostile or coercive steps against either one or both of the two Chiefs Katatore and Wiremu Kingi, as seemed to be had in contemplation by some Pakeha, here then the first step of such a kind on the Governor's part would most certainly on the part of the Natives be viewed and received as being the signal and commencement of a general war, and of a life and death struggle between the Pakeha and Maori." " Hence they declare as soon, as ever any attempt shall be made by the latter to get any of those two Chiefs in their power, all Taranaki and Ngatiruanui, &c, as far as Wanganui, will rise instantly to a man in arms, and hasten to Katatore's and Wiremu Kingi's rescue and support, and they will not relinquish the struggle until they shall either have conquered or have lost their last