E—No. 7

Vrummund Hay, Esq,

The Natives who advocate the King movement are those who see in it the only hope of retaining their laud, aud by retaining their land the only hope of preserving their status in the country. They affirm, that in parting with this land, the Maori parts with all that entitles him to any consideration; and that by ceding land tho Maori paves the way for his becoming the humble dependant of the European,—a galling prospect for tho Native who prides himself upon his ancestral rank, and looks upon the wealth of the white man with contempt not unmixed with envy. This refers to the best disposed Natives; who are desirous of having law and order only after a fashion of their own, and who, misled by their advisers, are blind to the consequences of the course they have adopted. The mass of the adherents of the Maori King are the rabble who wish for the good old times of the Ture Maori, when an offender was never punished if he had many friends: and many have left their own tribes when punished, saying that, as King's men, they enjoyed immunity from all punishment. With too few exceptions, the Maori has a great dislike to law and order, except as administered in his own way and for his own peculiar benefit. However specious the colouring given to this combination, and however plausible the pleas urged by its advocates and its defenders, it is more than probable that the real feeling at heart of every native is that expressed loudly by the more turbulent; and that, though not stating their wish openly, the best disposed Natives would, owing to the causes already referred to, be too glad to be independent of the Government and Europeans generally, except as far as suited their own convenience. Take, as an example, any one of the best disposetl tribes, and it would be found that in cases where one of the tribe was to be surrendered to staiul his trial as a criminal, it would be much against their will, and they would expect some recompense for thus doing violence to the aroha Maori. No combination amongst the Maoris could exist for any length of time unless with ample encouragement and support from Europeans whom they looked upon as influential men. Remarks made by some of the leading men in the Waikato movement would induce one to infer that they are somewhat disappointed as to the results of their scheme, but they feel that they have gone too far to turn back.

In the case of operations being carried on in the Waikato, the tribes already mentioned would furnish a contingent of about four hundred men. If troops were landed anywhere on the shores

of the gulf, nearly as many more would join the insurgents. The smaller bodies of Natives who would remain neutral if they could, are afraid of the Waikato tribes; and think it safer to join the Waikato than to bear the brunt of their displeasure for remaining neutral. G. W. Drummond Hay,

District Commissioner, Thames.

12

REPORTS ON THE STATE OF THE NATIVES.

Names of Tribes. Boundaries. Names of Chiefs. Loyal. Disloyal Remarks. Is'gatipaoa Residing on Waiheke and the West shores of the gulf Hawa Tipa Hoera Wharepunga Patene Puhata Te Kapara Te Rauroha Te Hiwi Nui Te Toterewa Peneamene Yes n The small parties of Natives who depend on this tribe, Te Koheriki, at the mouth of the Wairoa, Te Iwitanupo, between Whakatiwai and Pakorokoro, Ngatituahuru, at Makomako, and the settlement of Kahungunu, at Pakiri, are all disposed to join the Waikato Natives. Wiremu Hoete Po, and Ngatai, Paura Pouroto, and many minor Chiefs are thoroughly disaffected. Patene Puhata sympathises with the Ngaruawahia party, but would not, perhaps, lake any active part. a Yes a Ngatitamatcra East shore of the gulf from Cape Colville to Kawaeranga Taraia Te Moananui Te Hira Kake Tarera Nui Hatana Riki Te Huro Huke Huke Karauria Ngakuku Taraia is too tricky to be depended upon, and will, as he always has done, play a double game. With this exception, the tribe are well affected, and will not join the insurgents. The Whakatohea and Ngatikoi, and small parties of Natives residing in the Waihou and dependent on this tribe, will most probably join Waikato. Ngajimaru, including a portion of Ngatiwhanaunga Cape Colville and Manaia; chief settlement at Waiwhakauranga Riwai Te Hoterene Aropango Tawewe Te Whewhera Ngatimaru are ready to join almost without exception, the few individuals who would not are connected with Rawiri Te Ua, at Tawhitu. Ngatiwhanaunga Coromaudel and Wharekawa Kitahi Te Taniwha Heta Kereopa Maihi Rawiri Te Ua These Chiefs are well affected towards the Government, and would influence the tribe who are not ambitious of fighting. Ngakapa would join Waikato, but very few of the tribe would go with him. Ngaiterangi Tauranga Rini Tangimona Tuapea Hamiora Ngapipi Ngaiterangi are firm allies of Ngatihaua. Tupaea alone has refused from the commencement to recognize the King movement in any way. Yes u u