E—No. 9 Sec. I.

was taken up in filling up offices, and I was unwilling either to hurry or weary the chiefs of the HunaDga. It is only a beginning, but, with the assistance of the Government, I hope to bs able to make more comfortable provision for the next meeting, and secure more time for business. In the interim, the chiefs will be much better prepared to understand their duties. I hope that, upon the whole, this first effort will meet with the approbation of the Government. It has afforded ire satisfaction : and too much cannot be said of the respectful and praiseworthy conduct of the chiefs and Natives in general, upon the occasion. The meeting broke up, with but one cloud to darkpn our otherwise bright day, and that was an attempt by Native sellers to introduce spirits , but, with the exception of a few unsteady Natives, it was a perfect failure; harmony prevailed, and all returned to their homes much pleased. I have only one more remark to make, and that is, that if the proceedings of the Runanga meet with the approval of the Government, I suggest that they should be printed, in the shape of a small pamphlet, in English and Maoii, and sent to the different chiefs ; if published piecemeal in the Maori Messenger, I fear they will never be read ; a few copies will suffice, and will please the Ngapuhi, and will not interfere with their insertion in the Messenger, The subject for erecting a suitable building for a Runanga house, and its locality,I will resume at another opportunity. I have, &c, George Clarke, The Honorable the N;.tive Minister. Civil Commissioner.

f M FMORANDUM.] Civil Commissioner's Office, April 7tl), 1862. It appeared to tne better to send the Native speeches made by the different members of the Runanga in their original form, as they came from the Native reporter himself. They mity be depended upon as being perfecily correct, though a good deal condensed, the reporter having been instructed to take down the hrads of the speeches, which will be expected to appear either in the Maori Messenger or in some other publication. The Ngapuhi chiefs have expressed themselves disappointed by not seeing in print an acconnt of the meeting with His Excellency the Governor in November last at the Waimate, and at llokianga. They slate that everything said and done by the disaffected Natives of Waikato is printed in the Maori paper, but their loyal speeches and conduct have been unnoticed. They hope that this will not be the case with the proceedings of this their first Runanga The speeches made by the chiefs out of doors on the first day of their meeting were very satisfactory. One and all urged the adoption of the new policy. 1 he notes were mostly taken in pencil, and would require more time than I can at present command to decipher them; but they will be carefully deposited with the records of the Runanga, and will be forthcoming whenever calltd for. I should be glad to have the accompanying original speeches returnee, to be kept with the other records of the meeting in this office. I must b jg to call the attention of the Government to Maihi's speech. It will be seui that he expresses himself disappointed at not having had an answer from the Government respecting his meeting at the Kawakawa in January last. Georgk Clarke, Civil Commissioner.

Enclosure in No. 4. ADDRESS OF THE PRESIDENT TO THE BAY OF ISLANDS DISTRICT RCNANGA. Friends, — Chiefs of the Runanga, listen to my words. Great is the joy of my heart this (lay. This is the first District Hunanga of New Zealand, which has been convened by the Government. We are assembled at this time i.i the midst of peace, in order to lay down new and good regulations, that we may dwell together in love. Friends, I have in remembrance another Maori Runanga called long ago by your fathers, most of whom are dead. It is nearly forty years since that Runanga (took place). 1 was then listening to the words of the chiefs. Ilongi Hika was there, and Kawiti, and AJuriwai, and Taonui, and Pi^ and many others of the chiefs. The thoughts (or deliberations) of that Runanga were about war, and the destruction of the Ngatiwhatua of Kaipara. I did not know then that I should see a day in the future when 1 should be required to call you to assemble in peace. Your fathers have passed away, but you their children have met this day in harmony and love. The thoughts of the ancient Runanga were of war and mischief, but the counsels of the present Runanga are to hold fast peace, that we may do that which is right. What is our object in thus meeting together? Is it to throw down words for the destruction of man? No, we are seeding for a different order of things. Our business at this Runanga is to lay down regulations by which men may live; that the Englishman and the Maori may dwell together in peace ; that we may be united as one people, with one code of laws for us all, and ont great head, our compassionate (or loving) sovereign Queen Victoria. •

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