A.—Fo. Ib.

7. Here I found the portion of the loyal Ngatiporou clan from the East Coast which is to be placed (in pursuance of a policy which Avas successfully carried out at the Cape by General Cathcart) at Waihi, about tAventy-five miles north-west of Patea, as an advanced guard for the English settlements against Titokowaru's bands, Avhich still infest the country beyond. There was some misunderstanding of the intentions of the Colonial Government and consequent discontent among the Ngatiporous, but, at the request of Mr. Eox, I addressed them in an explanatory and encouraging speech, which had the effect of restoring their good humour. The next morning they marched out to occupy the fertile lands assigned to them, a rich exchange for their rugged mountains on the East Coast. The march presented a most picturesque and suggestive picture. The kilted warriors, their mantles Avaving in the breeze and their arms flashing in the sun, strode proudly and rapidly for Avar d, in long " Indian file," over the beautiful prairie, at this season—the spring-time of the Southern hemisphere—bright and fragrant AAdth flo Avers and floAvering shrubs. Erom time to time a part of the line Avould be lost to sight as it passed through a ravine or a grove of trees, soon to reappear beyond. The mounted chiefs gallopped to and fro, marshalling their clansman by voice and gesture, and guiding the progress of the waggons carrying the sick and. wounded. The women stepped gaily along by the side of their husbands and brothers, many with their children clinging round their necks. As I rode up to each group I Avas saluted by all alike Avith ringing shouts and chants of welcome. This fertile open country, stretching east and Avest, is bounded on the south by the Pacific, as blue and sparkling as the Mediterranean; on the north by the dark forests which reach inland from Wanganui to Taranaki, and above which SAvells the graceful, cone-like peak of Mount Egmont, the holy mountain of the Maoris, and celebrated in their traditional songs and legends. This part of the coast land of Ncav Zealand vividly reminded me, in many respects, of the coast land of Sicily between Syracuse and Messina. Mount Egmont, a noAV extinct volcano, is a more shapely and graceful Mount iEtna. I trust that your Lordship will pardon a brief digression of this nature, as I am led to believe that you desire to realize in your mind a complete and correct picture of the scenes and events now passing in this country. 8. Most thoughtful men in New Zealand seem to be noAV agreed that it would have been more prudent not to attempt for some years to come to place European settlers in the frontier district of Patea, Avhich is peculiarly exposed to the attacks of the hostile Natives. But this policy was carried out several years ago; and it now appears to be also generally agreed that to retreat at the present crisis would be regarded by the Maoris as a sign of Aveakness, Avhich Avould probably have no other effect but to transfer the fighting from the outposts to the heart of the Colony —from Patea and Waihi to Wanganui, and possibly even to Wellington. The homesteads of the settlers, over an extent of nearly a hundred miles, have been burnt by TitokoAvaru, their cattle devoured or driven off, and their crops and fruit trees destroyed; but they are now gradually returning to their lands, the Colonial Parliament during its last session having voted a sum of money to them, by way of loan, to enable them to make, as it were, a fresh start. The plan adopted resembles that recommended by General Cathcart for the defence of the frontier districts of the Cape Colony. The rebuilding of the scattered homesteads is discouraged, while at convenient distances and in commanding positions (such as Wereroa, Wairoa, Patea, and Waihi,) redoubts and blockhouses have been erected for the protection of villages in which the settlers and their families will reside, going forth from these central places of refuge to tend their cattle and cultivate their farms. The advanced posts of the Ngatiporous inspire general confidence. 9. Erom Patea I proceeded to New Plymouth, the capital of the Province of Taranaki, where I was heartily Avelcomed alike by the Europeans and the Natives, as will be partly seen from the accounts of my reception published in the local newspapers. The Address presented by the settlers, and the speeches of the Maori chiefs, deserve attentive perusal, as showing the views of both races on the present condition and prospects of the West Coast. It will be perceived that four hundred (400) Maoris, at least half of whom were returned rebels, recently in arms against the Crown, assembled to meet the Governor and the Minister for Native Affairs 11

41

AND THE GOVERNOR OE NEW ZEALAND.