ZEALAND TO THE SECRETARY OE STATE.

A.- v

95

would never again look upon an European face. William Thompson added that his fear was lest some European or friendly Native who attempted to cross this line might be murdered, and thus a recommencement of disturbances might be brought about. 4. William Thompson in his conversation clearly showed that he was not very well disposed towards the Ngatimaniapoto tribe, in consequence of the line named by the Government, within which confiscated land might be taken, having included a large portion of his territory, and a very small portion of the Ngatimaniapoto country; which arrangement was, in his belief, unjust, inasmuch as many acts committed by himself and his tribe were far less blameable than those perpetrated by the Ngatimaniapoto tribe. 5. This complaint on his part was natural and founded on fact; but he at last understood that the object of the Government in taking land was less punishment than the intention of securing positions in the interior, the possession of which would ensure the safety of the European settlers and the future peace of the country. 6. I pressed upon him that it was a duty he owed to his tribe, and to the Native people of New Zealand, to be present at Wellington at the next meeting of the General Assembly, there to be in readiness to give evidence before any Committees of the Assembly on Native affairs, as it is possible that much legislation regarding Native affairs will then take place. He at first showed considerable reluctance to promise to go to AVellington, but ultimately on considering the whole matter, he undertook to be present at Wellington when the Assembly meets ; and he further agreed, on my pressing him to do so, that before the Assembly meets, he will go to the Middle Island, and visit some of the leading persons there who have always expressed themselves regarding him in a most friendly manner. 7. Before leaving me he was so well satisfied with his position with the Government, that he pressed me in the strongest manner to take him with me to England when I returned there, expressing great anxiety to accompany me on a visit to the Mother Country. 8. Before proceeding to Baglan, for the purpose of going from thence to the Waikato country, I had gone into the harbour of Kawhia, on the southern shores of which I understood that some of Bewi's people and some of the relatives of the so-called Maori King resided. 9. The Natives on the North shore of Kawhia Harbour all manifested the greatest pleasure about my visit. I found there Hori Te Warn, the Chief of Bangiaohia, who, having joined the rebels, had lost all his property and the larger portion of his land. The poor man was in great poverty, having been formerly one of the wealthiest Natives, but he was very cheerful, and admitted fully that his sufferings were the result of his folly in having yielded to the wishes of las people, and thus engaged in the rebellion. I assisted him on the part of the Government with the articles necessary to re-establish himself in life on the landed property he has at Kawhia, and left him quite happy and contented. 10. His son, Taati Te Waru, is still a leading chief amongst the rebel Natives, he having refused to come in; ,but his father told me that he believed he would in a short time join him, and then make his submission to the Government. I have since heard that a day or two after I left Kawhia, he arrived there, and joined his father. 11. Captain Eremantle, commanding the "Eclipse," landed on several points on the southern shore of the harbour of Kawhia, accompanied by Dr. Hector. They were civilly and well received by all the Natives but one; but as these Natives had sent no message to me, I thought it best to leave them to themselves, and not for the present to1 try to force an interview upon them, more especially as I had then already heard that Bewi had expressed himself as desiring never to see an European face again. 12. Some of the family of Matutaera, the chief chosen as king, had formerly been well known to me. Amongst these was an old lady named Te Paea, who had the charge of Matutaera's eldest son, who is named after me. She was residing with the lad near Hangitiki. I wrote her a few friendly lines, and sent 21