G.—4,

4

Whitiora, Pikia, and the well-known Kawhia chief Tapiliana. The weather being stormy, it was not till the 24th that a move could be made. Accompanied by Messrs. Kemp, Mair, Marshall, Bush, Morpeth, Davies, and Wiremu te Wheoro, Sir D. McLean proceeded to Kaipiha, the farm of the brothers Turner, and Mr. H. Eeynolds, just without the Confiscation line. Here Tawhiao, with a few of his leading chiefs and advisers, and about one hundred followers, was waiting to meet him. Shortly after our arrival, Tawhiao, Takerei te Eau, Te Tuhi, and Hunia te Ngakau paid a friendly visit to Sir Donald. Some conversation upon topics of local interest took place, but no political discussion. Upon the 25th, 2Gth, and 27th May important meetings took place between the Hon. the Native Minister and Tawhiao, full notes of which are appended. Business was concluded on the latter day, but Sir Donald McLean was persuaded by Tawhiao to remain at Kaipiha till Monday, the 29th, that they might have further opportunity of seeing each other. lam of opinion that much good will result from this meeting. There are on the Native side prejudices to overcome and wrong impressions to remove, and some time must necessarily elapse before a permanent settlement can be concluded ; but Tawhiao is, I think, anxious now to arrange matters. There was on the recent occasion a marked improvement in his manner, and an absence of the shyness exhibited by him at Waitomo last year. He was very cordial in his greeting of the Europeans present, and evidently eager to create a favourable impression upon their minds. It must be remembered that two years ago it was not permitted to Europeans to see him even, much less to converse with him. Tawhiao's meeting with the Hon. the Native Minister was of his own seeking, his idea being that Sir D. McLean alone can solve the Maori question. In the meantime there are not wanting evil advisers of both races, who, actuated by a false sense of patriotism, and, in the case of Europeans, counsellors from sheer malice, will continue to do all in their power to prevent the solution so much to be desired by all well-wishers of the Maori race. Ido not think, however, that these counsels havo much weight, and though they may retard, I am confident they will not affect, the result. On May 30th the Native Minister met sections of the Ngatihaua and Ngatirankawa at Cambridge, and discussed with them matters of interest to those tribes. I have, &c,

W. G. Maib. Notes of Meetings between the Native Ministee and Tawhiao. Thttbsdat, 25th Mat, 1876. Present:—Hon. Sir D. McLean, Major Mair, Major Te Wheoro, Tawhiao, Takerei te Eau, and Patara te Tuhi. Sir D. McLean : " Perhaps you have something to say to me, Tawhiao P" Tawhiao : " Have you agreed to the requests made by me at Waitomo ?" Sir JD. McLean .- " To which request do you allude ?" Tawhiao: "To what I said about the Europeans returning to the place appointed ?" (meaning that the Europeans should vacate Waikato.) Sir D. McLean : " I told you that neither myself nor any other person could agree to that. It is not my wish that you should be misled by my making any promise that cannot be fulfilled. I desire to be frank with you, so that there shall be no misunderstanding in the future. It is not the desire of the Government to interfere with your authority over your people in your own district. You would be even assisted and supported in carrying out measures for the benefit of your people. If we can agree to a perfect understanding in the first instance, other matters can be settled afterwards ; and I hope a meeting will soon take place between you and your friend the Governor, who can give effect to what may be arranged between us." Tawhiao: " With me rests the day for that!" Sir D. McLean : " I have carefully weighed all your words (at Waitomo), and I remember too the words of your father (Potatau), about living at peace with the Europeans. If you follow his counsel in that matter, the Government will show you all the more consideration." Tawhiao : " Have you duly considered the latter part of our conversation (at Waitomo) ?" Sir D. McLean: "Yes ; I attach great weight to all your words; my colleagues and myself have carefully considered the matter ; we are agreeable that you should have full control over your people within your own district, and we are prepared to strengthen your hands in maintaining peace and good order." Tawhaio : " The people and the land are mine." Sir D. McLean : " I agree, the people and the land are yours ; that is, within your own boundaries. Although not able to comply with some of your requests, there are ways in which the Government can help you, and they are willing to afford every encouragement to you and your chiefs, to enable you to suppress evil and promote good measures in your district. lam here by your invitation, and am not going away yet; so you have plenty of time to consider what I have said, after which we can again resume our talk." Feidat, 26th Mat. Present:—Hon. Sir D. McLean, Mr. Commissioner Kemp, Major Mair, Mr. Bush, Major Te Wheoro, Tawhiao, Takerei, and Te Tuhi. Sir D. McLean: "Is there anything that you desire to speak to me about to-day ?" Tawhiao : " My conversation goes back to our talk about my land, and then about my burial-places. (Ko aku tio /) (Takerei, upon being requested, explained that tio meant a grave.) Sir D. McLean : " What burial-places do you mean ?" Tawhiao : "Te Mata-o-tu-tonga, at Taupiri; Pukerimu [opposite Church Hill] ; and Tangirau on the Waipa, above Ngaruawahia. Potatau pointed out all these places to Sir G. Grey when he was Governor. Takerei's name of Te Eauangaanga is from Te Mata-o-tu-tonga."