i\— No. 5a

14

EURTHER REPORTS EROM

No. 10. H. T. Kemp to the Native Undee-Seceetaby. Civil Commissioner's Office, Sic,— Auckland, 17th November, 1871. I do myself the honor to report, for the information of the Hon. the Native Minister that the Native Deputations from the North and South have returned from their visit to the Kuiti, whence they had been specially invited by the Chiefs Manuwhiri and Eewi, to a conference on matters of private as well as public concern, and in which the Government had taken no paiticular part further than that of facilitating an interview in the hope that some specific measures would be suggested by them for consideration in the interval to the approaching Hui. I am not able to gather that anything worthy of note has transpired at this visit, beyond that of a friendly meeting, to which, however, and as an exceptional one, some little importance may be attached. The chief Mangonui, of the Bay of Islands, has furnished to the Native Minister his own report, and as Ihakara will have the opportunity of explaining in person his own views as to the ultimate result of this interview, I will only add that in both cases the chiefs and their friends have received every attention while in Auckland, and that passages have been provided for them both ways at the public expense. I have, &c, H. T. Kemp.

No. 11. W. G. Maie to the Civil, Commissionee, Auckland. Sib, — Alexandra, 17th January, 1872. I have the honor to report that, on the 14th inst hearing that Eewi Maniapoto was at Otorohanga, I thought it advisable to see him, and ascertain the truth concerning certain rumors with regard to the impending meeting at Kopua. On arriving at Otorohanga, I found that Eewi had returned to Te Kuiti, but Wi Pukapuka volunteered to go for him, and on the morning of the 16th I met him at Iki's place —Koura-pirau—near Hettit's. In reply to my questions about the meeting, he said that no change had taken place on their side ; that the meeting had been arranged with a view to settling all difficulties, that even if no good came of it no harm could come of it either ; that Te Wheoro had proposed it, and it would be for him to fix the time. He also said that there was no truth in the report that they intended to demand the restoration of Waikato, and that the pakeha should not take any notice of mischievous rumors, for he and Manuwhiri would not conceal anything. Speaking of the road making north of Taupo, Eewi said that it was not true that Ngatiraukawa had written to Manuwhiri inviting him to take up arms and stop the work. Upm asking him why he took Te Kooti's part, he said that it was not from any spirit of opposition to the Government, and that he had desisted directly I informed him that Mr. M'Lean disapproved of his conduct. When I told him that Kereopa had been hanged, he answered " What do I care about Horokaru (swallow-eyes) ? He should have remained at Te Kuiti, out of harm's way." He spoke of Todd's murder as a question that was not yet settled, and evidently wished me to understand that he was not to blame. He admitted that the Kawhia people were sore about the death of Parati (vide my Eeports of 10th and 23rd November, 1871), but when they talked of taking utu by " making trouble" in this neighborhood it was " only talk." He spoke slightingly of the " Ngapuhi Deputation," who had " nothing to say and only cared for the haka." It appears that there is another difficulty about Mr. Walker's cattle, some of which are running near Aratitaha. The Wharepapa people wanted to kill them, but Eewi, to prevent extreme measures, went through the form of claiming the cattle for himself, and then handing them over to me with a request that I would ascertain the particulars of the reported leasing of the run to Mr. Walker. (A copy of a letter from Manuwhiri will be found appended). I am inclined to attach considerable importance to what fell from Eewi during this interview ; there was a frankness about him which conveyed to my mind the impression of an improved state of feeling on his part. It was his wish to go even further and throw off all reserve, or, as he expressed it, to regard me as being " partly Maori," but Manuwhiri did not approve, and told him to "wait awhile." He said that I had done right in sending for him, and that he would always meet me when I wished to see him. A report has been current that Waikato intended to kill Eewi in revenge for some fancied or real injury on the part of Ngatimaniapoto. Whitiora and Nuku of Hauturu were named as the authors of the idea, but both Whitiora and Tawhiao have denied it, and Eewi expresses himself satisfied; it is evident, however, that the coolness between Ngatimaniapoto and Waikato is increasing. A. very favorable sign, I think, is the falling off, in all the villages between here and Mokau, of Hauhauism. Ngatihaua who have always been the strictest observers of Hauhau Karakia, regard this as a mark of great weakness, and have called a meeting at Ohinekura, to discuss the matter, and, if possible, bring about a revival. Eewi says that there has been a great amount of quarrelling lately among hapus, about local matters, and he had to go first to Wharepapa, and then to Mokau, to make peace. Ho has been invited by the Tuhua Natives to settle a quarrel there, arising, it is said, through a gold discovery by some persons from Whanganui, acting under the auspices of Topine, whom the Tuhua people regard as an intruder. Manga is undecided about going. A considerable number of the up-river Natives have gone to the Coast and down Waikato to dig gum. In most localities the Native crops will be very light this season. I have, <fee., W. G. Maie, Official Correspondent.