G.—2

XLIV

the difficulty Avas but the natural outcome of events in which successive Ministries had for so many years tried their hand and failed : and why we end as we began, by saying that at any moment in all these years the trouble north of Waingongoro Avould have vanished, if instead of talking about doing the right thing, any Minister had only set himself to do it. The story speaks for itself. We entirely believe the moving cause of all our difficulties to have been ever the same, that the tribes Ave had encouraged to return -to the Waimate Plains have never knoAvn what land they might really call their own; and if any of us are tempted, as an easy Avay of escaping from reproach, to say that the fault is all Te Whiti's, we ought not to forget how our own records show ho never took up arms against us, but did his best in all that time to restrain from violence his unruly and turbulent tribe. If the story we have told has not made this clear, AA re have told it to Your Excellency in vain. It still remains for us, however, to say what Ave think should be done in addition to the measures Ave advised in our Eirst Report, in order that the Crown may fulfil its promises and heal eA~ery real grievance on the Coast. One thing is certain, that nothing can be done without neAV legislation, as every power which formerly existed has been repealed. In this Report, long as it is, we have only been able to speak of the past; and we ask Your Excellency's permission to offer to you, in a few days hence, our suggestions as to what such legislation should do for the future. We hope a brighter time may come. In January the Armed Constabulary crossed the Waingongoro, to carry through the Parihaka country the road which for years a handful of disaffected Natives had (to the humiliation of our people) forbidden to be made. Simultaneously we tried to learn what promises had to be fulfilled, what grievances to be redressed. This inquiry has now been completed. The road has been pushed through from end to end. The really essential Reserve has been marked out upon the ground. A line cut through the forest from Stratford to Opunake has shown a level fertile country fit for settlement. Cross-lines have been cut to unite this line with Waimate Plain. The Plain itself is being re-surveyed to open the land for settlement next spring. As yet this work has all been done Avithout serious opposition : and though the greatest care, and caution must continue to be exercised at every step, Ave say to Your Excellency that the Natives are no'w realizing, for the first time since the insurrection, that there is a Government Avhich will treat their claims with generosity, but is resolved to be the master. All which is with great respect submitted to Your Excellency. William Eox. Ekancis Dillon Bell. Parliament House, Wellington, 11th July, 1880.