A.—No. 21

8

CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT

No. 14, Wi Tako Ngatata and others to the Hon. Mr. Fox.

To Mr. Fox,— Waikanae, 21st October, 1869. Salutations to you and your Council. The greeting ends, and the word commences. This is the second letter which we send to you and your Council. The heart prompted us to send a second word to you about these prisoners, that they may not be sent away to the islands of the sea, but that they may be left in Wellington. Their being left to remain in our presence is in itself a great punishment for them. Do not allow yourself to think that it is for you alone, for the Europeans, to look after them, it is rather for us both. Sir, if the words of this letter are clear in your opinion, the final decision rests with you. Do you inform us, that is the whole tribe who make this application to you, that they will be allowed to come ashore here, that is to say in Wellington. Let the prisoners at Kawau, at Wellington, and at Chatham Islands be sufficient for you. Let those be enough for you. But now let me have our relatives. Peaceful thoughts will eventually grow up in them, because the relatives are close at hand who will inform them of all good and proper matters. Sir, favorably consider these words of ours to you. This ends here. Your loving friend committed these thoughts to writing. Wi Tako Ngatata, and others, And all the Runanga of Ngatiawa.

No. 15. The Hon. Mr. Fox to Wi Tako. To Wi Tako,— Wellington, 6th November, 1869. Friend, salutations. I have received your letter containing a request from yourself and your friends relative to the Pakakohi that they should not be taken away, but that they may be left here in Wellington. The Government is extremely sorry that it is not able to comply with your request, the request of one held in such esteem as you are ; but on this occasion the thing is impossible. Had this been the first offence of those men, their sin might possibly have been forgiven, but this is their second offence, and if they are not jmnished how can the dignity of the law be sustained?—and evildoers will not fear it. Do not forget, however, that these men are punished, not in revenge for those who have been killed, "but in order that others may be restrained from fighting against the Queen's authority, and that a man harbouring such thoughts may reason thus with himself, " I shall probably be treated as the Pakakohi liave been treated," and he will, therefore, remain quiet. Those men were formerly in rebellion, and we took their land as payment. That fighting came to an end, and we condoned their offences ; and further we said to them, " Come and let us together occupy the land in peace." The Pakakohi did not abide long by that agreement of theirs, and only a short time elapsed before they went to swell the ranks of the cannibal. Thus these people have committed two great offences, for which they deserve death, and therefore they will not now be pardoned. Do not suppose that they are to be badly treated at the place to which they are to be sent; they will not be treated in any way different from the European ja'isoners with whom they are to be imprisoned. This is all From your sincere friend, Wi Tako, Waikanae. William Fox.

No. 16. The Hon. Mr. M'Lean to Maori Chiefs. Friend, — Auckland, 12th November. Salutations to you. I have written you this letter to inform you that I have been on a visit to Waikato. I went there in consequence of a wish expressed by Bewi Maniapoto, Tamati Ngapora, and the chiefs of Waikato to see me. It was on the 9th day I started for Pahiko. It is a settlement on the south side of Hangatiki, about seven miles distant from Tokangamutu. Before I arrived, the chiefs of Waikato and Ngatimaniapoto bad assembled to meet me. It was then they began to address me. I cannot give you full particulars just now, but I will send it to you when it has been printed. My opinion of the speeches delivered by them is this : that before long the sun will shine over the whole of this island. The chief thing accomplished at this meeting has been the promise made by chief's at Te Kuiti to unite with us in putting down the troubles now existing in this country, to cause fighting to cease, and to prevent any more murders from being committed. Donald M'Lean. Copy of the above addressed to each of the following chiefs :— Tamihana Te Bauparaha Hohepa Tamaihengia Mete Kingi Meiha Kepa Hone Pihama Wi Tako Wiremu Kingi Matakatea Te Mokena Kohere Bopata Wahawaha