E—No. 9 Sec. I.

District, some of the members remarked that the subject w*s too important to be lightly entered upon ; I was of the same opinion, and was glad of an opportunity of advising them to pass a resolution to have the papers printed ; so as to give the Government time to make such amendments as might be more fitting ; or to prepare a more perfect organization to be laid before them at their next meeting, and to have copies of the proposed arrangements printed and placed in their hands, previous to their being called together. This was unanimously agreed to, as shewn in the business of the day. The next business was the selection of two more Chiefs for the Distiict Runanga ; and, as I expected, most of the members had a friend to provide for. The first chief proposed was Wiremu Tana Papahia, a Rarawa chief, living at the North Head of Hokianga, and whose influence extends as far as False Hokianga ; a very proper person, and one that I had fixed upon while on my tour to Hokianga in December last. There was unanimity of feeling upon this matter; he was therefore nominated : after which, Tamati Waka pressingly brought forward Ruhe, a chief of Pukenui, and so bent was Waka upon this point that he told the Runanga he would vacate his seat, if there was no other way of getting Ruhe into the House ; and though many of the members thought that a more fit person should have been proposed, they gave way to Waka, and nominated Ruhe. lamat a loss what to recommend as the best course to be pursued in this case. Ruhe can do us much mischief, and but little good; but being a friend and relation of Waka's, if not admitted into the Runanga, we shall lose Waka, and much of his influence; and if the Government is unwilling to admit a larger number than twelve, by electing Ruhe we shut out more useful and influential men. The best suggestion I can offer is, that he be admitted as an honorary member, but I fear neither Waka nor himself would be satisfied. The next Chief was proposed by Marsh Kawiti, narred Piripi Korongohi, of Tautoro, a Chief of secondary rank, but over whom Marsh has influence, and claims him as bis friend and neighbour. I reminded the Runanga that they had already made up their number to twelve, the original number proposed by the Government; but out of compliment to Marsh, Piripi was unanimously named for the approval of the Government. I could not recommend this Chief, even if the Government were prepared to admit a larger number of members; not being one of the first rank, his influence is very small, and even in a Naive point of view, his character does not stand very high To prevent future embarrassment, both to the Government and the Chiefs themselves, I would suggest that after having finally determined on the number of chiefs to be admitted to the Runanga, and to be paid by the Government, if members wish any further augmentation of their numbers, the Runanga must find means for paying them ; as the Government can only admit them as honorary members. This, I think, would save both Government and chiefs from being continually pestered with applications from their friends. Hut, before leaving this subject, lam prepared to advise the Government that there should be an addition of at least three more members for this District, making them fifteen in all. The whole of the coast line from Russell to Tutukaka, being the greatest part of the hundred of Kororareka, is unrepresented in the Runanga by any chief of the hundred ; and Marsh Kawiti, though not living within that hundred, but possessing great influence in it, made some just observations in the Runanga upon the subject ; he felt, he said, that they, the natives of that hundred, and himself, as their friend, had been greatly neglected. I would therefore propose that three of the principal chiefs of that and the bordering hundred of the Waimate, with one warden, be selected by the people, assisted by Marsh and his friends, and approved of by the Government, to represent that part of the district in the Runanga. This, I think, would give general satisfaction to all the chiefs of the district. I feel confident that no district of the same extent and population could at first be worked with a smaller number of chiefs, with anything like success ; gradually, the expenses attending this great policy may be lessened, fewer English magistrates will be required, when the district is well organized, and the Natives better understand their duties. The papers referring to the payment of the members of the Runanga and other Native officers, were called for and laid before them ; and in committee debated upon for hours. Nothing could convince them that they were on an equality, as members of the Runanga, while there was an inequality of salary. The salaries of constables and wardens, they remarked, were equal, and why should not theirs be ? They could not comprehend bow it was that a constable should be paid more than an assessor ? Their decision will be found in the Minutes of the day, and their debates and arguments were often a credit to their understanding. In revising the list of assessors, they struck off five or six as useless ; but with the exception of Tamati Hapimana, whose name was erased as a notorious drunkard, it appears to me that the others should retain their pittance as a pension, being very old men. Mitai Pene Taui was struck off with the rest, having left the district. I liope, at an early convenience, to supply you with a complete list of assessois in the district, with a few suggestions for the further improvement and efficiency of these officers. The Runanga adjourned at about 11 o'clock, after sitting nearly 19 hours. On the 28th the Native Chiefs began to show symptoms of uneasiness, and I found it would be impossible to keep them in good humour for business much longer ; therefore, at their unanimous request, I agreed to close this, our first session, in the evenir.g, which I did, just before 4 o'clock ; first passing several motions respecting our next meeting, determining the place where, and the time when, it should be held. It will be seen that much more was proposed for the consideration of the Runanga than could have been got through jn one session ; important subjects have been left untouched. Much lime

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BAY OF ISLANDS.