17

G.—l

The re-occupation of the old post at White Cliffs and the occupation of Tongaporutu by a section of Ngatitama, has very materially improved the condition of the district and given confidence to the settlers. The returned Ngatimutunga Natives from the Chatham Islands, who were disinherited by the Compensation Court, are most of them settled on the land between Mimi and Urenui j and although they pledged their word on leaving the Chatham Islands to settle on land here, to be allotted to them by the Government, they now altogether disregard their pledge and repudiate the confiscation, and lay claim to the original possession of the tribe before they were expelled from the district by the northern tribes, regardless of the rights of the resident Natives, who were in possession during their absence at Chatham Islands, and who obtained awards under the Compensation Court, which were never allotted to them. This is the only matter these Natives give me trouble about; in other matters they are not inconsistent, but generally governable. A section of the Ngatimutunga, chiefly old residents, are now proposing to cede to the Government the land between Urenui and Onaero, which meets the land I recently purchased in the Ngatimaru district, the acquirement of which, in addition to the Ngatimaru purchases, will be the means of making available for settlement a tract of country from the coast to the Waitara Eiver, inland. Having referred to the Ngatimaru district, I will now take that tribe next. The district of the Ngatimaru Natives is one which has been less frequented by Europeans than perhaps any other part of New Zealand, until within the last year. These Natives were warm Kingites, and fought against us in Waikato, Taranaki, and Ngatiruanui; and when Titokowaru was driven from the West Coast, he and his followers took refuge in that part over two years. When the latter returned to the West Coast, the Ngatimaru took advantage of what they considered a good opportunity to establish friendly relations with the Government, and commenced selling their land. Two purchases have been made from them, and more is under offer. The movement has already had a very beneficial effect, and promises to lead to more favourable results. They have been censured by non-selling tribes, but are not to be deterred, and avow their determination to sell all the land they do not require for their own use, and ally themselves to the Government. Considering their former position, and the footing it will give the Government in the centre of this Province, the change brought about by these Natives is deserving of the highest commendation and some substantial recognition hereafter. Wiremu Kingi te Eangitake lives himself at Parihaka, but his late followers most of them reside on the Waitara Eiver inland, at a place called Manutangihia, north of the district recently purchased at Ngatimaru. They never give any trouble, and about twice a year visit Parihaka, about 30 in number, and on passing through here they generally stop at the Native Office for two or three nights. The Ngatirahiri Tribe, as a body of Natives, have behaved better than any- other tribe in this Province ; and although they have a grievance about land that was taken from them for Military Settlers' settlement, they refuse to mix up in any disputes of other tribes about land, in opposition to the Government. The Hon. the Native Minister has authorized mo to givo them ample compensation for their land which has been taken from them; but for some time past an opinion has prevailed amongst the Natives that all the confiscated land will be restored to them. From Waitara to Stoney Eiver the Natives are all settled down upon land allotted them under the confiscation, and the only grievance in this part is from returned absentees, who either live with their relatives or upon a few general reserves never allotted. The district from Stoney Eiver to Te Namu is occupied by Natives who are very troublesome and lawless (except a section of the Ngatimahanga nearest to Stoney Eiver). They steal cattle, sheep, horses, &c, from Europeans passing along the coast while encamped at night, and take them away to their villages and kill the cattle and sheep, and when at last horses are found in their possession, they refuse to give them up without being paid an exorbitant sum, half their value and sometimes more. They are violently opposed to the extension of public works through the district; and at a recent meeting held to discuss the question, they threatened to shoot the first man who attempted it. I have nothing new to say of Te Whiti. Judging from recent meetings held at Parihaka, he is still for peace and quietness, and advocates non-interference with land selling or public works, which his followers do not approve of, and it remains to be proved whether he will change his tactics to sustain the position he has so long held amongst them. From Te Xamu to Omuturangi, the district (with the exception of the Opunake township) is occupied by the Opunake and Tangahoe Natives, who have for a long time been employed on public works, and behave very commendably. There is a large party amongst them, with Hone Pihama at their head, who would carry the road and wire through the before-mentioned district in defiance of the Natives opposing it, but there are considerations involved which require to be carefully dealt with. From Omuturangi to Waingongoro is a district occupied by'Manaia and Wharehuia and their followers, and Titokowaru and his late followers. The only difficult question with them is the surrender of part of the land, which Manaia and his people are as much opposed to as Titokowaru and his people are. In other matters they behave very well, and take employment on road-making. The Pakakohi, with Taurua, were all at Oeo the week before last, where there was a very large meeting of the Tangahoe and Titokowaru and his people. I met them on the 19th inst. Matters of interest were discussed freely, and tho Pakakohi behaved remarkably well, and recommended caution against evermore provoking hostilities, and advised no obstruction to public works. The road at the back of the mountain was freely discussed, and some of Titokowaru's late followers, under the young chief Heke, expressed their determination to carry it. Heke is a grandson of the late chief Hori te Pakeke, who with his tribe, the Ahitahi, cut the track for Colonel Wakefield in 1842. There is some opposition to the work at present, headed by a troublesome Native named Harawira, notorious amongst Titokowaru's lot. When I was at Ketemarae the other day, he came there and protested against it, but it was merely an oral protest, without any threat, and the working party are of opinion that beyond that nothing is intended. The working party purpose, however, crossing the Mangawhero at Araukuku this week, the disputed part, which will prove what tho opposition means.