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G.—l

selves and keeping Kawhia closed, against the overwhelming majority who are in favour of returning to their former occupations, is useless, and that they will have to consent to its opening at no very distant date. I will ascertain as much of the feelings as possible of the Hauhaus respecting the opening of Kawhia, and communicate with you as often as anything fresh transpires. I have, &c, K. S. Bush, The Hon. the Native Minister, Wellington. Clerk to the Bench.

Enclosure in No. 7. Kopuera (Ngatinaho, brother to Wharepu): I have to speak about some news which was brought to Te Kuiti by Te Kati, respecting matters at To Niho-o-te-Kiore. There arc 200 armed Ngatiraukawas and 100 Europeans all armed there. lam expecting to hear of a disturbance. Some of our people have gone there. If nothing has happened before this it has been amicably arranged, and all will be well. If they are found there by me they will be killed. " Heoi taku pai kite pakeha he kinaki pu ha maku, ki to mau he tangata maori, he kinaki puha hoki maku, kia reka ai te toroi." (The only liking I have for the European is as a relish to my cabbage.) If it be a Maori who is taken by me, he will also be made into a kinaki * for my cabbage, so that the toroif may be sweet. Sone Te One (Ngatihikairo) : What you say is correct with reference to the Maori, but wrong with respect to tho pakeha. Tou are my food, and I yours. Do not you say that the Niho-o-te-Kiore trouble is caused by the Europeans, as that is false. When I was at Ngaruawahia the other day to bid farewell to the Governor, the owners of that place, Te Kei and others, of Ngatiraukawa, interviewed Mr. McLean, Wi Parata, and Wi Take Major Mair and I were also present. They told Mr. McLean that formerly they were adherents of the King, but had for the last two years seen their error ; consequently they had come to tender their allegiance to him and the Governor, and to request that roads, telegraphs, &c, might be constructed in their districts, and that Te Niho-o-te-Kiore would be opened by them. Mr. McLean told them he was pleased with them for what they said. You are alone in your thought. Tou are the only outsider now, as Ngatiapakura, Ngatihinetu, and Ngatiraukawa have oifered land for sale. Will you tell me who but these comprised your party ? Where are they now ? Tou are alone. If you do not look smart you will be left behind. Ngatiapakuru wanted to sell land near Kangiaohia. Kopuera : What I say is correct, inasmuch as there are two redoubts there, one the old one, with 40 men, under Captain Mair, and the other at Te Nenuku (a new one), with 200 men. Mair is a companion of ours ; we have nothing to say against him, but it is in reference to the new pa that I am speaking. But I think this matter must have been satisfactorily settled, as I have not heard anything more. The slave* whom you went to visit has gone away; I care not for him. I have spoken plainly so that you should not turn round and say, on a future occasion, that I knew these things and did not acquaint you. Kewene Te Saho (Ngatihaua) : What Hone says is true ; I also was present at the interview of Ngatiraukawa with Mr. McLean. Why do you speak about these subjects ? Why not leave these things to the Hauhaus of Kawhia to settle ; they have met the Governor and Mr. McLean. What are you, or what weight have your words, now that your chief Tutawhiao has met and dined on board the steamer with the Governor and Mr. McLean ? Do not take us for children; we are aware that it is we, the people of the Government living here, who carry out the Proclamation respecting the not selling of lands ; but you tho Hauhau, which of you has a clean hand ? Not one. Who sold Maungatautari, Horohoro, Taramorahi, Turangamoana ? Why, you, the Kingites. I have no patience with such two-faced work. Are not you glad with the Europeans, and that they are here to purchase your lands for money, which no sooner passes into your hands than you swamp it in rum ? Don't be foolish ; allow the roads to made ; they will benefit no one more than they will you. Just reflect on the roughness of the road which you traversed to come here. There is only one European at Niho-o-te-kiore, and he has been there for two years —I mean living peaceably. It is no use your trying to get the better of the Europeans ; you cannot do it; you cannot do without the pakeha ration, which has been made clear by what took place on the steamer. All I can say to you is, Open Kawhia. It is no use your saying anything now. Tour chief has been on board the " Luna," and has been taken possession of by Mr. McLean. If you were to open Kawhia, you would not have to write to Hone to send you a bottle of rum as you do now, but would have it at your door. Kopuera: lam angry with Tapihana for thrusting himself so forward. The Governor will come to save me in three years. If your people, Hone, were making roads, your thighs would be eaten by me as a relish to my (puha) cabbage. Ido not care whether Tutawhiao has made peace or not: lam by myself, and intend to stick out till the last. Kewene Te Saho : Do not say that in three years you will make peace ; there is no time like the present. Do not procrastinate, but throw in your lot with the chiefs of Kawhia. If you do not make haste, you will be left without any land. Listen ! arc you aware that some of your people have lately sold land for £1,200? Kopuera : Tes ; I have the money in my hand. Kewene Te Saho: Well, then, what is the good of your talking in this strain? Why do not you make peace at once ? E. S. Bush, 14th April, 1873. Clerk to the Bench. * Food eaten with another kind to give a relish. t A kind of green weed eaten by the Hauhaus, cooked and steeped in water. j Xhe King.