A.—No. 12,

6

PAPERS RELATIVE TO MR. FIRTH'S

mined to maintain an appearance of cold and haughty reserve, if not of obstinacy and irreconciliation. I saw enough, however, to convince me that it was not real; for now and again, when he turned to Louis Hettit and spoke a few words in an undertone, a smile beamed over his dark face, and the look of sad haughty pride disappeared in a moment. With all his pride and frigidity I could not but pity the poor misguided old man. During much of the conversation that ensued he remained sitting with head bent down, apparently humbled in spirit, yet still endeavouring hard to preserve the same haughty exterior. Tamati's features are pleasing, and full of intelligence and thoughtfulness, but his imaginary wrongs have hardened his heart so that it will be long before he will be reconciled towards the Europeans. I know little of his history. He has not always been the King's Prime Minister and mouthpiece. Before the war in 1803 Tamati lived at Mangere, and was the Native pastor there. He wore the attire of a minister, and was much respected by the Europeans ; but when hostilities broke out he forsook us and joined his countrymen, amongst whom he soon became conspicuous for his intelligence and education. Tawhiao having married one of his daughters, he became Prime Minister of the Maori King, and at the present day Tamati is virtually king himself. When I saw him he wore no other European clothing but a Crimean shirt, beneath his mat, and even of that he appeared to be ashamed, for when he saw my eye bent upon his sleeve, he suddenly withdrew it inside his mat, and never afterwards showed it except when he shook hands with us at parting. Tamati Ngapora has recently taken the name of Manuwhiri (guest), in reference to his being the guest of the Ngatimaniapotos, upon whoso territory the whole of the Waikatos are now residing. I believe Tamati is in receipt of a considerable sum in the shape of rent on land of his at Mangere, which he still owns. Before we left he gave Mr. Davis a power of attorney respecting his Mangere property. And here, before proceeding to give the discussion which took place at the interview, I may pause in order to say a word or two of the actual feeling that exists between the Ngatimaniapotos and the refugee Waikatos. The King himself, Tamati Ngapora, and all the principal supporters of the King, are Waikatos; and the Ngatimaniapotos are jealous of the assumption of authority over them, and have accused the Waikatos of maintaining the aulcafis for their own exclusive benefit. Bewi and his people have as yet lost no territory, and are not embittered against us. They are jealous of the King, and would, I feel sure, gladly get rid of the Waikatos altogether, if the latter could be induced to settle on portions of the Waikato. They are annoj'ed at the obstinacy of the Waikatos, and already a suspicion is gaining ground that these people, whom the Ngatimaniapotos have received as guests and refugees, desire to remain in permanent possession of the land on which they have been provided with an asylum on sufferance. Already there have been bickerings, and I firmly believe that, so soon as it is known that the Waikatos refuse to accept portions of confiscated territory as a free gift, the breach between the two tribes will be so widened that the slightest accident will bring them into hostile collision with each other. At the present time Eewi and Tamati Ngapora are estranged from each other, in consequence of the latter having opposed Eewi's going to Ngaruawahia to meet the Prince. I have been told by those who heard him, that Eewi said at Tokangamutu on a recent occasion, " I have been the cause of these troubles ; I was strong to produce them, and now I will be as strong on the other side to end them." The Ngatimaniapotos also say that should the King and Tamati involve the Ngatimaniapotos in a war with the Pakehas, it is the Ngatimaniapotos who will suffer, while the Waikatos will lose nothing. Tamati Ngapora is not a warrior, and I will do him the justice of saying that he has hitherto shown himself to be averse to fighting, and has done much to put it down. At the same time, however, the proclamation of the King is couched in such doubtful language that it has little or no effect; and the common complaint amongst both Kupapas and King Natives is, " Why does not the King speak out boldly, so that we may understand him ?" Te Wheoro very recently, after visiting Tokangamutu, declared that the King Natives were so changed that even their own countrymen could not understand them. Tamati's first words, after looking at Mr. Davis for some minutes, were: Have you a word to us? Mr. Davis : Yes, 1 have. I heard you were out yonder, and I came up with the hope of finding you at Kiorenui (Alexandra), for the day and the place had been named, and I discovered that you were not there {i.e., at Ngaruawahia). 1 have come in search of you. You were to have been at Alexandra on Friday, and on the Saturday you were to have been at Karakariki, and on the Monday you were to have been at Ngaruawahia to meet the son of the Queen and the Governor; but I find you here. Manuwhiri (Tamati Ngapora) : I have already sent to the Governor three several times. I replied to a letter of his sent from Wellington, inviting me to Auckland to welcome the son of the Queen on shore. I sent fifty of my people to Ngaruawahia to meet the son of the Queen and the Governor, and they returned, saying that the Prince would only stay in Auckland ten days to look about him, and that he would not come by the Waikato. I have seen Dr. Pollen, who was represented by Wilson, but I expected to sec his father. Mr. Davis : Did Mr. Wilson invite you to meet the Prince ? Manuwhiri: I asked him who sent him hither. He said the Governor. I said what Governor? He said Dr. Pollen. I said, " Well, now that you have come from the Governor, speak." I asked him three times, and he made no reply. At last he said, " I have come to ask you to go down to Auckland to meet the Prince." I said, " I wont go." Mr. Davis : What reply did you make about the other places, Mangatawhiri and Ngaruawahia ? Manuwhiri: T made no reply. As I was leaving Mr. Wilson, 1 said to him, " Have you any words from the Governor ? AVhat about the letter of the 6th March ? If you have come to confirm the propositions in that letter, say so." He said, " I know nothing about that letter." Mr. Davis : Was a letter addressed to you from Sir William Martin ? Manuwhiri: Aua. How do I know? Mr. Davis : Will you produce that letter ? Manuwhiri: AVhat have you (the Europeans present) to do with it? Mr. Davis ; We wish to see its contents, so that we may know whether it agrees with suggestions made by some of our European friends, who are desirous to establish peace. Manuwhiri: I have a letter. Mr. Davis : The gentleman with whom the propositions contained in that letter originated is here. Manuwhiri: Why, then, do you ask to know its contents, as they have originated with you ?