G.—2

1871. ] Minute, Hon. Mr. ' Sewell. i Minute, Hon. Mr. " Fox. Appendix A, No. 9. 1 < ( 1

perhaps dogmatically worded, points to serious, and if neglected to imminent danger." Mr. Sewell joined in Mr. Gisborne's views. But the Prime Minister was of opinion that the circumstances of the two districts (New Plymouth and Patea) were very different: that there had been good reasons for imposing the restrictions, in a district which had been swept of its European settlers, who could only be induced to return on the express assurance that Natives would be excluded till the district was so re-peopled as to make their return safe; and that to adopt the suggestions of the Native Board would be to invite Titokowaru's return, and excite a feeling south of Waingongoro certain to lead to a renewal of the war. The Patea settlers continued to petition against any alteration in the policy; and asked that steps be taken to stop the " mischief that was being done by people in New Plymouth," who were endeavouring by every means in their power to get the rebels reinstated, and holding out hopes to them of being allowed to return to their former homes. lll.—The Return of the Ngatiruanui Insurgents. While the mind of tho Government was thus kept in suspense by contradictory ideas and conflicting counsels, the gradual return of the defeated tribes was tacitly allowed. By the end of March 1871, Kokiri and a number of his people had already come back by stealth to Omuturangi; and other parties crept home one by one. Attempts were at first made to turn them back, with varying success ; and there being still a reward of £1,000 open for the capture of Titokowaru, parties of volunteers w rent out into the bush on the chance of taking him; a practice, however, which was soon ordered to be discontinued. In the following August, another party of Titokowaru's men came down to Kaupukunui, where they began to fell the bush : upon which the Native Office sagaciously observed, how " gratifying it was to find the ideas of Titokowaru's followers tending to peaceful avocations." In October, Hone Pihama brought the news of Titokowaru and all his followers having resolved on leaving the Ngatimaru country and coming back to settle on the Waimate Plains. Early in November, when the Civil Commissioner gave warning that the position was getting to be more and more unsatisfactory, the Government became uneasy, and asked him to say what course he would advise. He replied that the Natives would certainly return : and showed how much better it would be, if Government meant to let them do so, that an understanding should be come to with them to settle upon a defined block, whereas they were now cultivating in scattered places all over the Plains, from which it w Tould be very difficult to turn them off by any quiet process afterwards. In the meanwhile Titokowaru had called together a large meeting in the Ngatimaru country to discuss the question of his return. His object was to prevail upon the Ngatiawa tribe to go with him in a body, and take him back; nor did he spare a bribe, in the shape of five large canoes which he had built for them. But they did not respond to his call: on the contrary, they opposed his leaving Ngatimaru without some understanding with the Government; wdiereupon he reproached them wdth their coldness, and refused to give them any promise that he would stay. Immediately upon this meeting breaking up, nearly all Titokowaru's younger men came away, leaving him with only a few old people behind; and hastened down to Oeo, where their sudden appearance at Christmas 1871 caused much excitement. No sooner had they left the Ngatimaru country, than the Ngatimaru chiefs, who had not come in since the Waitara war began in 1860, tendered their allegiance again, on the plea that as Titokowaru was about to leave their district, they were resolved, if he renewed hostilities, to have nothing more to do with him. Nor was it alone the threat of his return which caused grave embarrassment to Ministers, about the country north of the Waingongoro. A new source of anxiety was arising also on the south, by the pressure which was brought upon the Ministry to let Taurua and the prisoners then in confinement at Dunedin return to the country about Patea. At a great meeting at Whanganui on the 30th November 1871, appeals were made by the chiefs on that river to Governor Sir George Bowen and Sir Donald McLean, to release these prisoners and restore

] Petition of Patea ( settlers, 30th May 1871;andofW rai- ] roa settlers, sth July 1871. ]

1871. I Parris, Eeport, 21st March 1871, ■ 71/326.

Sir D. McLean, 25th March 1871. P. P. 1871, P.-68. Parris, Eeport, Ist August 1871; 22nd August 1871. Parris, 2nd October 1871.. Parris, 3rd November 1871. Sir D. McLean, 7th December 1871, 71/1445. Parris, 18th December 1871, 71/1791.

Parris, 28th and 29th December 1871, 72/2, 72/3.

Parris, Eeport, 29th December 1871,72/3; 3rd January 1872, 72/49.

XVI