E.—No. 4,

Te Houkamaio, the Chief of the Kawakawa Hundred, was not at home when they passed through Wharekahika, or he would certainly have sent them back ; and upon their venturing to hoist it at Omaruhou, he sent them a message which convinced them that it would not be prudent to fly it in his territories. They met with no better success in Waiapu, though a few worthless scapegraces, outlaws from society and Church membership, rallied round the standard. When marching into Tokomaru, where the people are supposed to be disaffected, they attempted to test the feelings of the Whanau-a-Rua in a manner which, while it suited their purpose, proved that they had little hope of success. They printed the stars and crosses which adorn the original upon a soiled calico sheet which was then elevated upon a huata (Maori lance) and so carried with little cei'emony into Tuatini. A day or two after, the subject of the king and flag was introduced by Hoera. This gave rise to many excited and vehement speeches, the result of which may best be judged from the fact that an hour or two after the meeting had been dispersed by a heavy fall of rain, I saw the deputy flag wrapped round the person of a young Maori boy, whose sole garment it had originally been, its stars and crosses trailing in the mud. I am told that the flag was flying at Maraetai, about two miles from Rangitukia, on Sunday last, but I fancy it was only a display of bravado, s,s the people generally have little or no sympathy with the Waikato party, and even talk seriously of setting up a rival king in the person of Henare Potae, who, as the direct lineal descendant of Hine-matiora, and the representative of the late Kaniatakirau, is of the best blood in New Zealand. By so doing they do not appear to be acting so much from a feeling of hostility to the English Government —indeed, this seems to be hardly thought of—as in indignation at the whakahihi (insolence or presumption) of Matutaera in assuming greater powers and rank than " Nga Mokopuna o Hinematiora raua ko Te Rangimatemoana" (the grandchildren of Hinematiora and Te Rangimatemoana). It is of great importance that Henare's influence should be availed of by the Government, and I think that a small annual sum necessary for this purpose would be judiciously expended. He is a young man of very good disposition, average ability, and anxious to improve his condition. In the event of the district of Tokomaru being placed under the management of a separate Magistrate from that of Waiapu, I strongly recommend that Henare should receive the appointment of chief Assessor, with a salary of £50 per annum, in the same way as Te Mokena Kohere, of the Waiapu district. This appointment would give general satisfaction, and secure the services of a useful, deserving, and influential man. If this cannot be done, he might be appointed Postmaster at Tokomaru, as the mail which is really necessary between this place and Turanga would have to pass his residence, and ought to change there. At all events the recognition of Henare's position by the Government would tend more than anything else to secure the co-operation of Maori chieftainship with British law, without which the latter is comparatively impotent and ineffective. I have, &c, William B. Baker, Resident Magistrate, The Honorable the Attorney-General. District of Tokomaru.

No. 12. RESIDENT MAGISTEATE, EAST CAPE, TO THE HONORABLE THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL. Resident Magistrate's Office, Rangitukia, 5th June, 1862. Sib, — In compliance with the instructions conveyed to me in your Circular of January 9th, I have the honor to forward herewith a List of Persons fit to serve upon a Jury, and which, for the reasons stated in my letter of 6th May, No. 48, could not be furnished sooner. I am unable to supply names for the District of Tokomaru, in only one Hundred of which (Uawa) it would at present be possible to form a Jury List. The same may be said of the Hundred of Te Kaha, where neither the Rev. Rota Waitoa nor myself could select or recommend persons for the office of Juror. The greatest care has been taken in forming the enclosed List, all the names having been submitted for the opinion of the Revs. Raniera Kawhia and Rota Waitoa. I have, &c, William B. Baker, Resident Magistrate. The Honorable the Attorney-General.

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NATIVE AFFAIRS.