E.—No. 13.

p.m., and found him just returned from the hui, which had been held about five miles beyond Hangitikei. He had been there since Wednesday, and reported that there had been very "little political talk, the meeting being chiefly a Christinas one. The hui had now broken up, but all the leading chiefs were at Hangitikei, and" Mr. Reed suggested that if we wished to see them we had better go that afternoon. As he very kindly offered to accompany us, though but just returned, I determined to go, and after getting some lunch, Mr. Reid, Mr. Gorst, and myself set off for Hangitikei. The road runs partly along the Waipa and partly along one of its tributaries, till it enters the hills about eighteen miles from Mr. Reid's station, "where Hangitikei stands on a particularly picturesque site. The village is small, but there are many kaingas about it, altogether containing a population of between 200 and 300. As we approached the village a Maori galloped on and reached it perhaps five minutes before us. As we ascended the hill on which it stands we found all the people turned out. and the King's household troops, forty strong, just falling in on each side of the road. As we passed between the ranks they presented arms, and the officers, who wore sashes and carried swords, offered the usual military salute. Our horses were then taken from us, and one of the very best houses in the village was placed at our disposal. The church bell was ringing, and we accompanied Mr. Reid to the evening service, which was numerously attended. On our return we found our house newly strewn with fresh fern, and we were asked by a young woman in excellent English whether we would have roast fowls or a sucking pig for supper. As we had brought some provisions with us we declined both, but accepted the former for our to-morrow's dinner. Potatoes, salt, cups, spoons, &c, were however provided. We had our attention called to a notice posted near the " Guard-room," informing all the world that any person wishing to see Matutaera (the King) must send in a note requesting an interview. Mr. Gorst wrote one, saying that 1 had come to see Matutaera and his friends. A reply was forwarded in about half an hour by the Colonel of the household troops, written by Rewi, the principal Secretary of the King, fixing Monday morning for a " korero." The " Army" afforded us much amusement during our visit. The " Guard-room" was close to our house, so we had ample opportunity of observing the numerous parades and other evolutions, which were almost unceasing. The "whole force consisted of forty rank and file, many of whom were mere boys, and four officers, the principal of whom was Hemar'a, one of the two Natives who went to Europe in the " Novara." We were admitted to the privilege of his personal acquaintance, and found him very communicative, having, besides his native language, a very small smattering of four others, German. Italian, French, and English. He informed us that he had only accepted of his present position for a short time, and on the whole seemed rather ashamed of being caught at it. The army was drilled several times a-day, the word of command being always given in English. There were two church parades, two school parades, and one early service, besides several inspections. This body-guard, or whatever it is called, is provided by different " hapus," each sending three monthly contingents. The lads we saw had only been drilled two or three weeks, and really went through their facings very well. Mr. Reid heard an old chief saying, " What are they drilling those boys for ?—they'll soon spoil them for fighting ; they'll soon be only fit to guard barracks. They certainly did appear to be doing all they could to emulate the stiffness and perpendicularity of her Majesty's troops; and if anything could secure such a result on short notice it would be such an imitation of soldiers' stocks as they had tightly buttoned round their throats at the imminent risk of strangulation. Their uniforms were of various patterns and colours, but there was an attempt to give them a military cut. The caps were white, with a red cross in front. I observed the character and quality of their fire arms, which were by no means first rate. Of the thirty-six on parade on Monday morning twenty-four were armed with old flint and steel muskets, two"Enfield rifles (one long and one shorthand the rest carried double and single fowling pieces. They receive no pay, but the King has promised them some land, some day or other, which my informant seemed to think rather problematical. The Colonel (Hemara)'carried their " rawiris" (prayerbooks) to church in a bag: and occasionally when he observed any want of decorous behaviour stepped up to the offender and gave bun a cuff. On the whole, however, their behaviour was verv good. The King continued invisible. A report was circulated that he was unwell, but that was probably only an excuse for his not appearing at church on account of Europeans being there. He is usually kept shut up as carefully as the Grand Llama, and even chiefs of importance are not always allowed to see him. Two sentinels with fixed bayonets walked one on each side of the royal residence. The King flag was erected in front. 30th December.—After church parade and breakfast we were informed that the chiefs were ready for the korero, which was to take place in the church, a large building (unfinished) fifty or sixty feet long by thirty to forty feet wide. Nearly all the leading men of the war party, except Wm. Thompson (if he can be said to belong to it), were present : Te Rangitake (Wi King), Rewi Manuipoto (next to Thompson the chief man in the King movement), Waitere, Reihana, Porokoru, Wetini. Anatipa of Kawhia. Takerei of Kawhia, Takerei of Waipa (not committed as a King man), W. Barton, (an ordained Wesleyan minister and a chief of consequence), Nopi, Aporo of Kawhia, Mohihi of Hangitikei, Ihaka (Mokau) Pa rone, and many others, about 200 altogether. W.King seated himself nearly opposite to me, Rewi immediately behind. The latter requested me to tell them my thoughts. With tho kind assistance' of Mi-. Eeid as interpreter, I then addressed the meeting for about an hour, touching chiefly on the same topics as his Excellency did at Taupari, with the addition, however, of proposing that the great: source of all the troubles, the Waitara, should be settled by an investigation, to be conducted by six Commissioners.—one Pakeha and two Maoris to be

5

NATIVE AFFAIRS.