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A.—No. 10.

8

EEEOETS EEOM OEEICEES

mai ki ta matou kupu tono mo tetahi hoa Pakeha mo matou, ka matau matou kua kino ia ki a matou. E hoa e te Wiremu tena koe, haere atu ki tou wahi mauria atu nga korero o tenei hui kia rongo Ngapuhi me ou hoa pakeha. Heoi ano ta matou kupu ki a koe na ou hoa pono. Na Tamaho Te Tluhii, Wiremu Tana Papaiiia, Te Puru, Rtkihana, wlniata tomairangi, Otira na te runanga o Te Rarawa.

[translation.] Friend Williams,— Whangape, 19th Februry, ISG9. Salutations to you. Here is our word to you : our meeting requests you to forward our letter to the Governor, that a Magistrate be sent to us for this district for Whangape. The reason for our writing to you is in consequence of our troubles, for youcannot be expected to think of them amidst your own engagements ; therefore we give our word to you, for you to pass on that word to him (the Governor). Let him not ignore our good word ;if he does not agree to our word asking for some European friend for us, we shall know that he is displeased with us. Friend Williams, salutations to you. Go to your home, and take with you the words of this meeting, that Ngapuhi and your European friends may hear them. This is all our word to you, from your true friends. Tamaho te Huiiu, Wieemu Tana Papaiiia, Te Puiiu, RIKIHANA, Win tata Tomairangi, That is to say from the meeting of the Rarawa.

WAIKATO. No. 8. Copy of a Letter from Mr. W. N. Searancke to tlie Hon. J. C. Richmond. Sie,— Hamilton, Waikato, 10th October, 1868. I have the honor to hand to you herewith a copy of my Report for the quarter ending the 30th September, on state of the Waikato District. I have, &c, William jST. Searancke, R.M., The Hon. Mr. Richmond, Native Department. Waikato and Raglan Districts.

Report on the State of the Waikato District for the Quarter ending 30th September, 1868. The Waikato District has been remarkable during the last three months for the perfect state of quietude amongst the Natives living both within and without the confiscation boundary. Amongst the latter more particularly I note it, on account of the many circumstances of late calculated to excite them. Preparation of land and planting has largely occupied their attention, anil a greater extent of land is now under cultivation amongst the King's Natives than ever was known before. The rules of the Aukati are also now greatly relaxed, and Natives from Tokangamutu and its neighbourhood are constantly visiting their friends amongst the kupapas ; they appear to be friendly, but very reticent. They still appear anxious to maintain peace between themselves and the Europeans in the Waikato, but I regret to say that I fear this friendship to us is not very much to be depended upon ; there is a want of confidence on tho part of the Natives —a suspicion and an anxiety lor news of late, which, together with the numerous parties of visitors of late from Tokangamutu amongst the- Kupapas, with no distinct object, leads me to suspect that something more than usual is stirring. Native messengers are also constantly passing to and fro between Tokangamutu and Hauraki; and from reports, I have reason to believe that if the gold fields at Ohinemuri and Te Aroha are thrown open to Europeans by the friendly Natives residing there, that serious disturbances, if not war, will be the result. The opening of a gold field there will, lam informed, be accepted as a casus belli by Tawhiao. anil the Natives living with him. That any disturbance could be confined to Hauraki is impossible; Waikato will be the sufferer, and its present advanced state of improvement and prospects stopped, and most probably ruined. Planting now is nearly over, and the Natives beyond the confiscation boundary settling down in. idleness, and consequently ready and eager for some excitement, their present supplies of food abundant, and their prospects for next year's supplies also very good. Under these circumstances, combined with the bombastic reports of successes brought by messengers from the South, I can hardly believe it possible, without the exercise of very great influences amongst themselves, that they can remain quiet long. Many of the King's Natives who proposed proceeding to join Titokowaru have been stopped, and suggestions made that they might be wanted here. As regards the European population ofthe district, I regret to say that the major part succumbed to tho temptations ofthe Thames Gold Fields, left the Waikato, and thereby reduced its male population to a now most insignificant number. A few practical and wealthy settlers have lately located themselves in the district on large purchased blocks of land, aud evince their intention to remain by their extensive cultivations and improvements.

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