G.—l

2

I think I might more properly substitute "could," for, as shown when forced to declare what he intended to do with regard to the proposals made him, it was necessary for him to refer the final settlement of the question to those who, although he as King represented them, still were more powerful and had more to say regarding the matter than he, viz., the Ngatimaniapoto, who at that meeting were represented by one of their most powerful chiefs named Wahanui. Tawhiao's whole demeanour during the close of the meeting with the Hon. the Native Minister was an exhibition of puerility and helplessness : he even conveyed the idea to some that in his heart he would gladly have accepted the generous proposals made to him had he dared do so. Be that as it may, it was quite apparent that for the future he, personally, was not the one with whom negotiations affecting the King movement were to be carried on. As a weak person in trouble calls for assistance to those whom he looks upon as his strength, so Tawhiao called upon Ngatimaniapoto (through Wahanui) to know what he should do in his extremity. The reply was not iong in coming, and under the circumstances was what was to have been expected. It was in effect—as reference to reports will show—" No, not yet; we will hold out still longer;" and when we consider now that Ngatimaniapoto, really the power and back-bone of kingism, have during the last few years been apparently ignored by Europeans, whilst Tawhiao, who was only their head so long as they allowed him to be so, was being feted and extolled whenever he travelled within European territory, it cannot be wondered at that Wahanui, having thus the whole power and responsibility thrown suddenly and openly upon him, should take advantage of the situation in which he found himself placed. Although his speeches in reply to the Hon. the Native Minister had at that time an appearance of defiance about them, his action during subsequent negotiations has shown that he is really actuated by a desire for the future welfare and well-being of his people and their lands. He, curiously enough, entirely ignores Tawhiao, as King, having any right or claim over the* Ngatimaniapoto lands ; neither do they (the Ngatimaniapoto) propose to do anything in the way of providing land out of their large store for Tawhiao and his people, for whose present almost landless state they must know they are to a great extent responsible through their combined action in setting up the Maori King and fighting under his standard, and which action brought about the confiscation of Waikato. Notwithstanding this, the Ngatimaniapoto consider that the Waikatos have no claim upon them, unless they can prove a title in the usual way through ancestry, conquest, or occupation. But, although Ngatimaniapoto are so unmindful as to what becomes of Waikato, they are not so with regard to themselves and their own land; in fact, they are evincing a most lively and laudable interest in connection with its future disposition. It is an all-absorbing topic with them just now, and they have requested that all surveys and public works be postponed in their district until they shall have come to a decision amongst themselves as to the way in which they can best throw their lands open to the public with advantage to themselves. They have carefully noted the unsatisfactory way in which the Natives who are now attending the Cambridge Land Court are dispossessed of their lands, partly through expensive litigation, and partly through the unsatisfactory system of land-purchase now in vogue. They propose, after due deliberation amongst themselves as to the best way in which to dispose of their land, to petition Parliament to have a new Land Act passed, which will embody as far as possible the scheme they have to propose. Should this be found practicable, and effect be given to it, there will then be no objection on their part to the throwing-open of their country for settlement. In fact, when the proper time arrives, I shall not be at all surprised if they are then as anxious for public works to be carried on over their lands as they have previously been opposed to them—but they wish the new state of affairs to be put on a proper basis first, and the opening of the country to follow. The principal drawback in the matter is the great delay in getting them to come to any decision among themselves as to what they really do want. They have amongst themselves so many individual opinions and ideas, they are so jealous of one another, and of investing their chiefs with too much power and authority over the lands of the whole, and, last, but not least, there are so many Europeans who consider they have a mission to counsel and instruct them as to what is the best thing to be done, and how to do it, that really it is not to be wondered at that they are bewildered, and. cannot make up their minds quickly as to how they will act. As soon, however, as they have decided what to do, and their petition is signed, it is the intention of Wahanui, or some one else representing the tribe, to convey it in person to Wellington, and endeavour to bring about the desired results. Should they be successful, and measures be adopted which will induce the Ngatimaniapoto to throw open their country for settlement, then I think the King movement will practically be at an end, for, without Ngatimaniapoto to support it, it must assume very small proportions, as Tawhiao would then be left with a very small following, and they would have to take up their abode in the vicinity of Kawhia, where they still have some land. But I must confess that I cannot yet see how Ngatimaniapoto can with good grace entirely cast off the King and his people. Of course, if their country is opened their hands will be considerably strengthened by the introduction of Europeans, and those of the King party proportionately weakened; but still I consider that the Waikatos have a strong claim upon the sympathy of Ngatimaniapoto, and, unless this is in some way recognized, I shall not be surprised if a bitter feud hereafter springs up between them. It is to be hoped, however, that, by the time the Ngatimaniapoto country is opened for settlement, Tawhiao and his few remaining followers, seeing that they are not supported by Ngatimaniapoto, will "throw up the sponge," and a satisfactory amalgamation between the two take place. At present, however, it looks very much like as if Ngatimaniapoto were content to leave Tawhiao and his Waikatos to be provided for by Government under the Waikato Confiscated Lands Act, or in any other way that it may see fit. As the allocation of Natives under the Waikato Confiscated Land Acts also forms part of my duties, I may here • state that during the last seven months considerable effort has been made to get some of the landless Waikatos who principally form Tawhiao's following, and who come under the category of ex-rebels, to accept portions of Government land within the confiscation boundary, and occupy and cultivate the same. These efforts have been, on the whole, fairly successful, but