A.—No. 12,

Enclosure. [Extract from the Daily Southern Cross, Bth and 9th June, 1869.] ME. FIRTH'S VISIT TO THE KING PAETY, WAIKATO. The First Day's Koeeeo. Torolianga, Ist Juno. Early this morning a messenger arrived with intelligence that Tamati Ngapora would meet us at Orahiri if we desired it, thus paying us the compliment of leaving us the option whether we would meet him at Hangatiki or Orahiri. We preferred the latter place, and shortly afterwards another messenger arrived with intelligence that the party had arrived at Orahiri. A third messenger afterwards arrived, requesting us not to be in a hurry. I learned that a child of Te Kuri's had died on the previous day, and that the party were having a tangi before meeting us. Shortly after dinner another messenger arrived, informing us that the Natives were ready to receive us. Mr. Firth, accompanied by the two interpreters, Messrs. Davis and Preece, prepared to proceed to Orahiri on foot, and a few Natives, who happened to be at Torolianga, volunteered to accompany us.

MR, FIRTH'S VISIT TO THE WAIKATO.

Copy of a Letter from Mr. J. C. Firth to the Hon. Dr. Pollen. Sic,— Auckland, 10th June, 1869. I have the honor to inform you that I have returned from a visit to the King Natives at Orahiri, a Maori village in the neighbourhood of Tokangamutu. 1. It is proper to state here the circumstances under which I considered it my duty, as a private citizen, to undertake the task of seeing the King Natives. 2. On being informed by you that His Eoyal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh had consented to delay his departure from Auckland, in order that he might meet Tawhiao and the leading chiefs of the King party at Ngaruawahia, so that his influence might be exerted to restore peaceful relations between the two races, it will be within your recollection that I made you acquainted with my intention to visit the King party with the objects, viz. : — 1. To remove the impression existing amongst the King Natives that the Prince had no power to interfere on behalf of peace. 2. To endeavour to insure the attendance of Tawhiao, Tamati Ngapora, and Eewi, at Ngaruawahia. 3. To ascertain, if possible, the desires of the King Natives, so that neither His Eoyal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh nor the Government might be put in a false position in consequence of unreasonable demands being unexpectedly made by the King party. 3. I then stated to you that I purposely refrained from asking your opinion on any matter connected with my proposed visit, so that Government might not be in any way compromised by my action. The only question I asked was whether you had any objection on the part of Government to my proposed visit, and in reply you stated that Government raised no objection. 4. After the termination of this interview, I invited Mr. C. 0. Davis and Mr. J. W. Preece to accompany mo as interpreters, and set out the same evening, 27th May. I arrived at Torohanga on the 30th May, and met Tamati Ngapora (Manuwhiri) and several leading chiefs at Orahiri on Ist June. During that and the following day the conference was held. 5. The results were, that Manuwhiri informed me that they had already sent word to To Wheoro that they declined to meet the Prince, the Governor, or the Kupapa chieftains at Ngaruawahia. They further informed me that they were desirous of peace on the following conditions, viz.: — 1. The King to be acknowledged. 2. All fighting on both sides to cease. 3. All criminals to be pardoned. 4. The whole of Waikato, as far as Mangatawhiri, to be given back to them. In reply, I stated my belief that there might be a possibility of the following conditions of peace being granted to them by Government. 1. The King to be acknowledged in a certain district. 2. Fighting on both sides to cease. 3. A general amnesty to be proclaimed. 4. A portion of land to be given in Waikato for those people to live on who have no land. 6. Manuwhiri desired me to convey his propositions to the Government. I declined to do so unless they were given to me in writing as amended by me. They did not agree to this proposal. 7. For a full and sufficiently faithful report of the proceedings I beg to refer you to the appended account from the Southern Cross newspaper, whose special reporter was present. 8. In conclusion I have great pleasure in stating that I have received very valuable assistance from Mr. C. O. Davis and Mr. Preece, under circumstances of extreme delicacy and difficulty. I have, &c, The Hon. Dr. Pollen, Eesident Minister, Auckland. J. C. Firth.