EOR PEACE WITH THE NGAITERANGI TRIBE.

9

A.—No. 18

No. 2. Mr. Eakeb's Diaet, from 19th to 26th July. 19th July. —Embarked at 3 p.m. on board the " Sandfly " for Tauranga. Sailed at 5 p.m. 20th July. —Arrived at Te Papa about noon. Found every one in a great state of anxiety and excitement regarding the peace movement, which the military seem to look upon as the first step towards their return home. From what I can learn, there appears to have been some degree of pressure brought to bear upon the question, and there seems no doubt about the fact that overtures were made from the Government side. The guides (Tv and Te Kiahia) have little faith in the movement, which has been chiefly carried on by Wiremu Patene and Hohepa. Mr. Rice was still absent, and as he was over the time fixed for his return, I went out with a party of the Defence Force to look for him, but was followed by a mounted orderly, who informed me that the Colonel had received a letter explaining the cause of his delay. In the evening ho came in, in high spirits at the success of his mission. Mr. Mackay and myself engaged till a late hour conversing with the Natives, sifting the question and explaining to them (the friendly Natives) the nature of the terms of peace. Ido not think, from all I can gather, that the rebel Ngaiterangi understand them. They imagine it is to be chiefly a cessation of hostilities. 21st July. —Only a few friendly Natives about, and they, for the most part, engaged in trading for firewood. Went out with Mr. Mackay to To Eanga and the Gate Pa. No news of any importance in to-day. Intended to cross over to Te Matapihi and Mangatapu, but could not got a boat. (Memo. to remind the Collector of Customs to send the boat which has been lying in Auckland some time, waiting for an opportunity to be sent down.) The Field Adjutant showed me a letter authorizing the release of Hone (wounded at the Gate Pa). I told him he would of course have to leave the Hospital dress he has been using, and requested him to inform me whether his friends could supply him with clothing, and asked where he wished to go. He at once turned sulky, and after behaving in an unbecoming manner, complained that 1 had threatened to muru him. Fortunately Mr. Mackay was present when I spoke to him. 22nd July. —Engaged during the greater part of the morning in talking to Parera and Tainati Manao. Mr. Mackay present the greater part of the time. They do not appear to put much faith in the promises of Ngaiterangi, and allege that Wi Patene has been playing a double game to suit his own purposes. Sent the " Mavis " off at noon with a short note (private) to Hon. W. Fox, one from Mr. Mackay to Dr. Shortland. Did not think it advisable to write officially with my present limited knowledge of proceedings —still of opinion that the matter has been prematurely arranged. Had a long conversation with the Colonel on the matter, in which he informed me that he intended to let them stay at Otumaetai. I objected, on the ground that in all probability the Government would require that land for the Waikato Militia. The Colonel however seems bent on carrying out his own plans, and will have his own way. Thinks it would be an advantage to have the Maoris along the coast line, and proposes that the settlers should take up the land behind them. From my experience of the difficulty that has been found to attend such a system elsewhere (especially at New Plymouth and Whanganui), I can only see great and unsurmountable evils in so doing. Interminable disputes about cattle trespass, dogs, fencing, &c, would arise, and prove a fruitful source of litigation, annoyance, and perhaps bloodshed. Again, if their location there is only temporary, there are no end of troubles to encounter, arising out of the jealousy of the original owners, the difficulty of removing them ending, I fear, in forcible ejectment. I apprehend that for the present the less they are meddled with the better. They have retired off the land, for some months they have lived elsewhere, and I cannot see why complications should bo encouraged at a time when all the energies of the Government are required to establish peace, harmony, and order throughout the country. It is far better, in my opinion, that they should suffer temporary inconvenience in the wooded retreats to which their follies have driven them, than that the Goverment should be hampered by them in the fulfilment of the pledges given to the Waikato Militia. It is estimated that each regiment will require GO,OOO acres. Half of this quantity will be required for the right wing of the first regiment now stationed here ; and there will be very little to spare within the limits of the territory from which the Ngaiterangi have been ejected, after the deduction of even the smaller of these two quantities. The terms of the Proclamation are " Kia noho noa iho," it does not say " Ka whakano hoia ratou," which makes a. wonderful difference. Mr. Eice went to Otumoetai with two Native police. Bishop Williams arrived in the " Tawera," reports that the Tauranga Natives are quiet, but that a large party of Ngatiporou were to start on Monday for another attack on Taurauga. Rev. E. Clarke, from whom I received a letter, states that some of the young men even of Tauranga had been proposing to join the rebels, but had quieted down since the news of the action at Te Eanga. Eev. Mr. Grace arrived. Reports a very unsatisfactory state of affairs at Taupo. In the evening Te Kiepa Amohau, of Ngaiterangi, came in to see the authorities. Was accompanied by six of his family, escorted by seven friendly Natives from Opounui. Sat talking with him to a late hour; Mr. Mackay remained with him till past midnight. He told us plainly that the overtures of peace were made by friendly chiefs in the pay of the Government; that it was a ease of "tiki" (fetch), not " kuhu noa mai" (creeping in of their own accord), thus confirming our fears that the matter did not originate with the rebels. He laughed when we told him that we expected to have this thrown in our teeth at some future day. In fact his whole manner was such that I inferred he was ignorant of or misunderstood the great question of confiscation and the disposal of their lands. I could hardly imagine a Maori so cheerful in the prospect of surrendering for ever the mana of his paternal acres. When Mr. Mackay came to bed he informed me that my surmises were correct; that Te Amohau had informed him that he knew nothing about the whenua part of the question, and did not know that he was to lose his land. Te Amaobau also said that when the party went up to Te Moananui's place, they were peremptorily ordered oft" " hokiatu." Whereupon one of Mr. Eice's party replied, "We have not far to go, for our friends (the soldiers) are just at hand." This threat had the desired effect, and they were mora civilly received. 3