E.—No. 13

Browne promised us all that, but we never got it." Such arguments are unanswerable, and time and experience of our sincerity can alone remove the feeling of distrust indicated by them. William Fox. Auckland. Bth January, 1862. Oruanui. Taupo, 21st February, 1862. Saturday, loth. —Left Otawhao for Taupo accompanied byßev.f.T. Morgan, J. E. Gorst, E.M., G. Law, Esq., Marsden Clarke, and Mr. Hunter Brown. Beached Taupaki, about 30 miles. Road good. "Wet through. Sunday, 16th. —-Remained at Taupaki. Rained all day. Monday, 17th.—Started at. 8 a.m. Dull morning, which soon changed into a soaking day, Reached Whakamaru at 6 p.m., thoroughly soaked, —man, beast, and baggage. Tuesday, 18th.—Fine. Crossed the mountain and the Waikato river at "Waimahura, and came on to Tahataharoa, where we camped at a small neat kainga, belonging to a party of Ngatiiaukawas, who returned from Otaki last October, after a residence there of some 30 years, having been driven South from Maungatautari. Wednesday, 19th. —After riding about ten miles we were met by Hohepa Tamamutu and Rewheti, chiefs of this place, staunch Queenites, who were on their road to see Mr. Law, at Otawhao, to urge him to make this place his head-quarters, instead of Honi Terei's, as he had intended. They turned back with us. The Natives on the east side are all ready to accept the Governor's " tikauga," to make roads. &c. I have never met a more civilized and intelligent Maori than Hohepa. He keeps a house of entertainment for travellers, and a store. He thoroughly appreciates the benefits of European customs, and is going to build a good house that !ir may live like an Englishman, and have chairs and tables that he may sit at his meals like Pakehas. lam writing now at a rough table, on a good portable desk, in the " travellers' house." The Natives on the East side of the lake have had a meeting among themselves, and are agreed that this should bo the magistrate's residence. I have no doubt it is the proper place for the following reasons : Ist.—lt is on the mail road, whilst Honi Terei's kainga is not. 2nd. —There is abundance of food for man and horse. 3rd.- —-It is central; and -J-tli.—The Natives have already given me for the Queen a block of about 50 acres of excellent land on which to place the Government buildings, and will put up a house forthwith. On the other hand, Mr. Law seems to have led Honi Terei to believe that his kainga would be selected; but in addition to its being deficient in all the above particulars, Honi is a Kingite, and says that he will not give up his King. Now the great error committed in the "Waikato, when Mr. Fenton was removed, was that the Government did not encourage and support the Queen's party. We must not fall into this mistake again. If the result should be to create two parties, it is better than surrendering our party to the King's. But the two already exist, and the simple question is, which shall we support P Thursday, 20th.—Spent the day in talking with Hohepa and other chiefs. In the afternoon walked over to some hot springs, where we indulged in alternate plunges into sulphurous water, as hot as could be borne, and an adjacent brook as cold as ice. On the return to the kainga found Poihipi and his party, whom we had left two days ago on their way back from Auckland. Friday, 21st. —Poihipi concurs in all that has been done. The mail has come in from Auckland. A good deal of disappointment that the Governor has not come and is not coming. 1 propose to go over to Honi Terei's place, about 20 miles on tho back route ; but the Natives say he is ill, and out of his mind. Finally arranged to go this afternoon to a kainga beyond Poihipi's place on the lake, accompanied by him and the Natives of this place, where they will have a korero, and on Monday I shall go on to Hawke'a Bay. Nothing can be more decided and earnest than the loyalty of the people at this end, and I hear on the east side of the Lake. I have already written requesting that Mr. Law's appointment may be made immediately. He will come into Auckland at once, to receive instructions, arrange his private business, and return here at once. A district, enclosing the east side of the lake and the north end, and extending till it meats Mr. Smith's, ;>.t Rotorua, can be formed at once, leaving it to Mr. Law to bring over the west side at a future period. It is no use going there now, as Te Heuheuis reported to be from home, and Honi Terei ill. I shall probably not have another opportunity of writing till I reach Hawke's Bay. William Fox. Tuesday 25th.—Started at 7 a.m. for Napier. First stage to Ouepe, ten miles ; then to Rangitikei River, where rested an hour ; then on to Tarawera bush, where, it being dusk, we encamped in some deserted Maori whares. Wednesday 26th.—Saddled and started at 5 a.m. Reached Tarawera at 8. This is the kainga of Nicholas, a very civilized Native, who has a good weather-board house, with verandah and glass windows. An European Mas busy putting up a post and rail fence round a paddock in which the house stood. Nicholas was absent, but his wifr proceeded to cook some scones, nudsoon supplied us with a comfortable breakfast, with china, plates, knives, forks, tea-kettle, &C. After breakfast pushed on through a very heavy and broken country to the Mohaka River, where we rested. Reached Messrs. Toogood and Campbell's station, near the Petani River, at 7 p.m.

9

NATIVE AFFAIRS.