E—No. 1

the law in purchasing their land, they, the Maoris, had not the leas received a price for it, and that it was now the property of the Crown. I then took my departure, leaving Mr. Williams to explain to the Natives the folly of such misconduct, and inform them that unles3 they expressed their regret for it through him I should withdraw the Magistrate, and leave them to continue in that barbarism from wiiich so large a part of their countrymen had emerged. 12. The day previous to this discussion, I had visited the Maori school superintended by the excellent Bishop of Waiapu ,who has lived twenty years in this valley. The school is in its infancy, having been lately removed from a distant part of the valley ; but it is in itself all that can be desired, and the Bishop and his family devote themselves entirely to it. 13. During liis absence in England some years aj;o the Bishop's duties were performed by th» Rev. Mr. Grace, whose peculiar opinions on the rights of the Maories have been the subject of correspondence previous to my arrival in the colony ; and it is remarkable that since that time the Maoris in this district have openly and distinctly objected to the prayer for the Queen used in the Church of England service. 14. In conclusion, I have determined to wait until the next mail arrives from Turanga, and if I do not then receive any information which may induce me to alter my intention, I shall withdraw the Magistrate, who has expressed to me in writing his inability to perform his duties satisfactorily to himself or with adequate benefit to the community in which he resides. 15. I enclose copy of an address presented to me by the Europeans resident at Turanga, with my reply, and a report by the Commissioner for the settlement of old land claims. I have &c, T. Gohe Browne. His Grace the Duke of Newcastle, <S;c., &c. &c.

Enclosure 1 in No. 1. (Translation.) address of the canterbury natives to his excellency governor gore browne, c.b, Port Cooper, January 6th, 1860. Our Friend Governor Browne, we salute you ! Welcome! Welcome! Welcome! Welcome, the head of New Zealand Assemblies, both European and Maori. We salute you. Listen to our cry of welcome, from the people of Kaiapci, of Rapaki. of Purua, of Akaroa, of Waiwera, and of Taumutu. Give ear also to our sayings. We come to you with our complaint, as to a doctor, that he may administer relief. It is this : —We are without either house or land in this town for the purposes of a market place. We are like unto a cormorant sitting on a rock. The tide rises, it flows over the rock, and the bird is compelled to fly. Do you provide a dry resting place for ns, that we may prosper. These are the articles of trade we propose to bring to town, —firewood, potatoes, wheat, pigs, fish, and other things. We want this place also as a lauding for our boats. Friend the Governor ! We greet you as the white crane of rare appearance. Friend, hearken! We are striving to adopt the example of the Pakeha. As an instance of this, we seek your approval of the erection of a flour mill at Port Levy ; and we ask for your assistance in the same manner that you have aided the people of the Northern Island in the construction of their mills ; and further, that you will send us a wise man (a millwright) to superintend the work, that it may be properly done. All the machinery has arrived, and we have paid for it the sum of £380 15s. 3d. The assistance we ask of you is to erect the house, to put up the mill, and to dig an aqueduct. And when the proceeds of the mill are sufficient, we will repay your advance. Let this be made a proof of your regard for us. Here is another subject for us to speak of, 0 Governor. The voice of all the people is that our Land Reserves in various places be subdivided, so that each may have his own portion. Wo, ask you to give to each man a title in writing to his own allotment ; but we leave the matter iv your hands, O Governor. Our reason for urging the subdivision of our lauds is, that our difficulties and quarrels may cease, that we may live peaceably, and that Christianity and good works may thrive amongst us. These are our farewell words to you. Depart, O Governor. Return to your home at Auckland. Farewell! Farewell! Farewell!

the governor's replt. My Friends, — lam glad to see you. Our great Sovereign the Queen, who reigns over the people of many nations, loves you and cares for you. She gave orders to the Governors who came before me ; she has given her orders to me ; and she will give orders to those who may come after me. Her orders are always the same —" Take care of my people. Make no distinctions between the Maori and the Pakeha, unless it be for their own good. Make my people live together in peace, and teach the Maori to follow the ex&mple of their Pakeha brethren. Tell them to listen to the

DESPATCHES FROM GOVERNOR GORE BROWNE

4