G.—3

14

Visit to Cambridge. The Premier and party left Rangiaohia at half-past 2, reaching Cambridge at 4.35. Here an address was presented as follows : — "To Sir George Grey, X.C.8., Premier of New Zealand. " Sir, —"We the undersigned settlers of Cambridge beg permission to welcome yourself and colleagues to the settlement of Cambridge. We are fully aware of the benefits that have been derived by the colony, and the Provincial District of Auckland in particular, since your Ministry has come into power, and we ask permission to express our confidence in the policy the present Ministry has adopted as far as we are at present acquainted with it." —Signed by W. Clare and others. The Premier replied, thanking the inhabitants for the address, and expressing his anxiety to do justice to the district. Subsequently he received a deputation, headed by Major Clare, with reference to the construction of the Cambridge and Taupo Boad. The Premier, in reply, pointed out that the best route would be to connect with the Tauranga-Ohinemutu Eoad, north of Botorua. The deputation coincided with this view, as the route proposed would afford access to Tauranga and the Hot Springs. It was ultimately arranged that plans should be furnished to the Premier. Another deputation, consisting of Messrs. Chepwell, Campbell, and Walker, waited upon the Premier, and requested assistance towards the construction of a road through the Piako country to the Thames Eiver, the cost of which is estimated at £1,750. The Premier promised to grant £500 towards the work, providing the settlers would raise £600; the balance to be susequently arranged. Visit to Hamilton. The Premier and party left Cambridge at 6.45 p.m., and arrived at Hamilton at a quarter to 9. Sir George Grey and the Hon. the Native Minister put up at the Commercial Hotel, which in every respect is the best hotel in the whole of the Wai-kato District, and would do credit even to Auckland. At Hamilton the Premier received a deputation, consisting of Messrs. Hume, Cumming, Vialou, Morris, and N. E. Cox, with reference to the extension of the railway into the township. The Premier explained that he had made a mistake on a former occasion when he said that a telegram had been received stating that a railway station in the township was not desired by the majority of the inhabitants. The telegram had reference to Te Awamutu. Mr. Vialou produced plans of the proposed extension, and estimates showing that the cost would not exceed £2,448 ; station and goods shed, £700 ; and three acres, £250. By this £400 per month in traffic, now paid to the river steamers, would go to the railway. The Premier asked that the matters should be put into writing, accompanied with the plans, and promised to lay them before the Minister for Public Works. Mr. Vialou introduced a deputation with reference to the sale of a portion of the town belt reserve. The Premier said he would introduce a Bill to provide for leasing the reserves for a period of twenty-one years. In reply to Mr. Vialou, the Premier promised that the £2,000 voted in aid of the fund for constructing a bridge should be paid over as soon as possible. Mr. Vialou pointed out that a portion of the town belt reserves had been allowed to be monopolized by Messrs. Jolly, Cox, and Williamson. Departure for Auckland. The Premier and party left Hamilton by train at 7 o'clock this morning, but remained at Newcastle until the arrival of the afternoon train. Here Sir George Grey received a deputation with reference to matters of local importance. Mr. Seymour George and the Star special came on to town. [From the New Zealander, Wellington, 6th May, 1878.J Auckland, sth May. TifK " Hawea" arrived late last night. Sir George Grey did not land. Hema te Ao, of Otaki, Wellington, a relative of Tawhiao, was a passenger en route to the Native meeting. The Premier, Native Minister, and Mr. Mitchell (Private Secretary) left by special train, at 10 o'clock this morning, for Hamilton. A number of Natives from the North and coastal settlements accompany Sir George Grey. The position of affairs appears to be this : that there is a very large gathering of King Natives at Hikurangi, though not many of the Ngatimaniapotos have yet gone up. Eewi and his people are waiting for the arrival of Sir George Grey. It is possible that he may not go to the meeting, but may be waiting till the meeting of Waikatos is over, and then ask Sir George Grey to see himself and his own tribes. All parties agree in the opinion that the King and his advisers really mean business, and are anxious to come to some terms of peace, but some time may elapse unless Eewi and his people attend the meeting, because if he remain away any terms agreed to by the Waikatos will have to be ratified by him. One feature, however, in the case, more than anything else is the complete alteration in the position of affairs, and that is, the freedom with which the King party, especially Eewi, discuss the questions of roads, bridges, railways, and leases, and sales of their lands. Whatever may be the outcome of the meeting, the Native policy of isolation is broken down and the aukati is a thing of the past. [From the New Zealander, 7th May.] Alexandra, 6th May. Sir George Gret, the Hon. Mr. Sheehan, and the Hon. Hoani Nahe left by special train at 10 o'clock yesterday morning for the Waikato. They were accompanied by Messrs. Mitchell and Grace, Private Secretaries.