E.—No. 13

meet me. Found that the messenger had got no farther than to Tamahere, his excuse being a sick horse. Mr. Palmer volunteered to ride on to Peria while Mr. Gorst and myself went on to Otawhao (Mission station) the residence of the Key. J. Morgan, where we arrived at 8 p.m. 22nd (Sunday).—Accompanied Mr. Morgan to Kihikihi (about 5 miles from Otawhao), where he held Church service in a partly finished building, the completion of which, like many others in this district, has been prevented by the unsettled state of the times. The resident Natives were absent, but there was a considerable party of Ngatihauas (Thompson's), who after the service wished me to tell them about the Governor's plans. Appointed to-morrow, at Otawhao, for a meeting with them. 23rd.—Eode over early to Bangiawhia, where we called on the Eev. Mr. Garavel, It. C. clergyman, whom we found just returned from Auckland, accompanied by a German priest. There is a great deal of cultivation in this neighbourhood, probably quite sufficient for the food of the people here, if not consumed and wasted at their endless hiiis. The soil in this neighbourhood, and for hundreds of thousands of acres around, is very good, and most easily cultivated. This part of the Upper Waikato is a first rate agricultural country. On return to Otawhao, found a considerable number of Natives (chiefly Ngatihaua and a few Ngatiraukawa) awaiting us. Held a korero in the orchard. Their desire was to know the Governor's thoughts. I addressed them for about three quarters of an hour with some effect, principally as his Excellency had addressed the Natives in Lower Waikato on the following subjects s —l. The King movement. 2. The Governor's plans for their future government, laws, magistrates, &c. 3. Eoads. 1. The Taranaki question, including the investigation into Te Teira's sale of the disputed block, stoppage of mail and travellers by Ngatiruanui, occupation of Tataraimaka block, and the plunder. 5. Land Sales generally. (5. The stationing of troops at Maungatawhiri and Waiuku. Mr. Morgan obligingly interpreted. The Natives listened with great attention, and when I was done, they said the talk was very good, all except taking the soldiers to the la. This I argued with them at length, and they admitted that it was " tika," but that they did not like it. Wiremu Toe Toe was present, and said that he was sure William Thompson would agree to all I had said, except about the soldiers; and as 1 had told them that my principal object in coming was to see Thompson, they said, " Talk to Thompson, and whatever he says all the Maoris will agree to." I asked the Maoris to whom the Waitara land now belonged. They said it had been given to Thompson to keep for the law. The natives at Tamahere said the same. This confirms the account of the transaction between King and Thompson, reported Rome time ago in an article on the latter in the New Zealander, which has been extensively circulated, and is, I see, attracting considerable attention at home. Everywhere lam told that Thompson is a trustee of that land for all parties, and whatever he decides will bind the Natives. The promise of investigation into Te Teira's sale seemed to give general satisfaction. As Toe Toe was going to the great hui, which is to take place at Hangitikei (on the road to Mokau) on Christmas day, he will report all I said, and if I may judge by the way in which this small party received it, and Toe Toe's own evident satisfaction, it will do good. I should go to Hangitikei myself, but hope to find Thompson at Tamahere to-morrow. Transacted post-office business with Mr. Morgan, in reference to several alterations and improvements of mail routes, and authorised him to act accordingly, on which he will report to the I'ostmaster-General when done. The Government is very much indebted to Mr. Morgan for the very great trouble which he has gratuitously taken in reference to the mail arrangements, which, in addition to their postal utility, have at present very great political importance. It is interesting to find that the Natives on several parts of the line, who, during the war and previously, were opposed to the mail being established, are now eagerly competing for the contracts, and the only difficulty is, to distribute them among the applicants. I saw at Mr. Morgan's and Mr. Garavel's two coloured engravings after Winterhalter's well known picture of the Royal Family, which were sent out by Her Majesty some years ago as presents to the Natives at Waikato. When they first arrived, they attracted the greatest interest, and natives travelled very great distances to see them. Mr. Morgan's house was frequently quite crowded with visitors ; and they would stand looking at the picture for hours at a time. One chief, after being so engaged for a long time, exclaimed, " Great is my love for the Queen ; if she were here I would give her a pig." It is sad that any thing should have occurred to check these feelings of loyalty, which were I have no doubt as truly felt as they were simply expressed. Left Mr. Morgan's at 3 p.m., and rode over to Tamahere, where we arrived at sunset. Found Mr. Palmer there, but with bad news. Thompson was not at home. He had gone early in the previous week to Hauraki, more than three days' journey off, and nearer Auckland than Waikato. His wife, Wikitoria, said that she expected him soon, and that he was very anxious to see me, but did not know I was coming. It is significant that Thompson abstains from attending the huis and runangas, which the more active of the war and king party are continually holding. It is not improbable that there is a coldness between him and the Ngatimaniapotos, who are the greatest agitators, and in whose country nearly all the meetings are held, on the ground of their being the only tribe that has any food to spare. One report which Mr. Palmer heard at Peria was, that Thompson had been trying to slip into Auckland by way of the Thames, unobserved, but that he was detected and stopped by some of the Natives, after he had got aboard of a small vessel to go. I do not think this is true, but it confirms the report that Thompson is desirous of coming in, and is only prevented by the threats and interference of those Natives who are afraid of his making terms with the Government, and deserting the King party. Had such not been the case, no such story would have been invented by them. His wife believed that he had merely been stopped at Hauraki to spend Christmas with friends there.

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