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in that district. Nera's party, and the Aotea Natives above referred to, Ngatinaho, always take the same side in political matters, and are nearly related. Nera was one of the first to oppose the King movement (see his speech at the Paetai meeting); his character has been so well known to the Government for so many years, that it appears unnecessary for me to make any remark on his conduct, as it is well known that Raglan would now be abandoned but for him. At the same time I am of opinion that, in the event of an attack being made on Waikato, Nera and all his people will join their countrymen. Mohi, one of Nera's party from Waipa, assured me that, iv the event of a war on Waikato, kahore rawa he tangata ki a koe. The Tainui tribe occupies the coast line from Woody Head to the North bank of Raglan; they have followed Nera's advice to dispose of their lands at Raglan. About six years ago, au offer to sell a portion of the North bank of Raglan was formally made to me; the boundaries were pointed out, when the Waikatos became so threatening in their tone, that I considered it advisable to withdraw from tho negotiation, which gave the Tainui people great offence. While travelling to Raglan last year with the Chief Commissioner, after the war commenced, the most violent of this party came forward aud said that, after all, it was I who saved them, or tho war would have been with them instead of at Taranaki. It is, however, only justice to the Chief Commissioner for me to say, that in this, as well as in every other transaction of any importance in which I was engaged with tho Natives, I was guided by his advice, which was always Ireely given when applied for. The Ngatitahinga, who occupy the coast line between Raglau and Waikato heads, are of the same generic tribe, and remained quiet during the late disturbance; but it is very questionable whether they would have remained so much longer had the war continued. In fact, a section of the Ngatitahinga, residing mid-way between Raglan and Waikato, were about to move towards the seat of war previous to the return of Waikato.

John Rogan, EfO

With regard to Waikato proper, and the Natives occupying the Hauraki Gulf, although I have travelled several times through a great part of these districts, my acquaintance with the inhabitants is so slight that my opinion regarding the people could not be considered entitled to any weight; aud 1 shall, therefore, pass over to my own district in the Kaipara, where I have been engaged at intervals for these four years past, and have had the most extensive transactions on account of the Government during my period of service. The Ngatiwhatua tribe claim more land in their own right than any other tribe, to my knowledge, in the North Island; they have been the most consistent friends to the Government of all the Northern Natives, excepting Tamati Waka's tribe. These people were defeated by Hongi, after his return from England, in a pitched battle at Te Ika-a-Ranganui, between Mangawai and the head of Otamatea; those who escaped fletl to Waikato, and many of the chief people were killed there, at intervals, in a manner which will not be forgotten by tlie Kaipara tribes, for this reason. To Tinana and Te Kawau Apihai, at a meeting held at Mangare, before the Government was established at Auckland, when all the Waikato Chiefs assembled with the intention of opposing the settlement of Auckland, said, " Let the Pakeha come, and he shall rest ou our knees," meaning that their laud should be sold for the occupation of Europeans: they have been equal to their word in this respect, because they have been selling land to the present time, aud with few exceptions, the whole of their territory is now under offer to the Government. The reason given by the Chiefs for consenting to the sale of land is, that they were slain by Ngapuhi and eaten by Waikato, and the white man is their only real friend; they take a peculiar pride in seeing settlers located on laud disposed of by them. The Ngatiwhatua tribe is divitled into several families; those at Orakei are headed by Apihai Te Kawau; at Muriwai by Nopera; at Ongarahu by Te Tinana; and at Babylon by Te Otene. Another section of this tribe occupies the tributaries of Kaipara, at the mouth of the harbour, called Te Uriohau, the principal Chief of which is Paikea; the younger men are Wiremu Tipene, Pairama, Arama Karaka, Matikikuha, Manukau, and Paraone. There is also another portion of these people residing at Mahurangi, of wL m Te Hemara is the principal: and Te Kiri and his brother Te Urunga, at Pakiti, who may be said to be the last of their family, also belong to this party. I have watched these people narrowly on many occasions, while treating with them for land, during the progress of tho war: and at midnight, when they thought I was asleep, they would read over again the names of the Waikatos who fell at Taranaki, and say exultingly, "Kai toa, at last we have had payment for our fathers who were eaten at Waikato." I have every reason to believe that the Ngatiwhatua tribe are sincere in their professions of friendship to the Government; and, in the event of an outbreak, they can be more certainly depended upon than any people with whom lam acquainted. The only portion of the Ngapuhi tribes of whom I have any particular knowledge are the Chiefs at the Wairoa, Te Tirarau and Parore, and Te Manihera and Hori Kingi Tahua at Whangarei; all leading men who have been friendly to the Government and settlers for many years. Tirarau, who is the great spirit of that district, during Heke's war was invited by him to attack Auckland: his reply was, " You can do it, but you must first travel over my head." Hori Kingi, who is grandson of Kawiti, assured me that neither he nor his friends would ever again be hostile to the Government, unless some grievous injustice were done to them, because they had their fight; and his grandfather's last words to him were, " never again quarrel with the pakeha." At the same time, in the event of a difficulty with the Natives north of Whangarei, I think it probable many of the Natives living at that settlement would rise against us. During my recent visit to Taranaki, I had an opportunity of forming an opinion of the temper of those who fought against us, which may be expressed in few words; —that they have had sufficient fighting, and will be careful not to commence again. Their desire is to make peace, but on their own terms. Under any circumstances nothing can be done with them at the present time, as they are looking for the settlement of the great question of peace or war te» be decided by the Waikato with the Government. They are cultivating most extensively, and an inference may be drawn from

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ON THE ARRIVAL OF SIR GEORGE GREY.