A.—l.

Thus, neither ourselves nor the Maori people generally have had any fair opportunity of considering measures of the greatest importance to our future welfare, and which, in so far as we are acquainted with them, will inflict great and irreparable injury upon ourselves and the mass of the Europeans_i this our time of great trouble. Your Excellency's petitioners are preparing a humble petition to Her Majesty, praying that these Native Bills in relation to their lands, which they believe will prove most injurious to their race, may not be assented to by Her Majesty until full time has been given to Her Majesty's loyal Native people to be made fully acquainted with the provisions they contain, and to consider the effect they will have upon their future. Your petitioners therefore earnestly pray that your Excellency may be graciously pleased, before assenting to the Native Bills passed this session, to have, if possible, a clause inserted therein delaying the coming into operation of the said Bills until Her Majesty's assent has been obtained thereto. And your petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray. Paora Tuhaere and 14 Others, On behalf of the whole Maori population of New Zealand,

Enclosure No. 2. The petition of the Maori chiefs of New Zealand, with greetings to Her Majesty the Queen. This is to remind your Majesty that when you were yet quite young tidings of your goodness and kindness w^ere brought to the Maoris of New Zealand. Upon receiving these good tidings the chiefs considered, and consented to submit to your Majesty the authority of the chiefs of New Zealand ; in proof of which, and to give effect to the consent they had given, the Treaty of Waitangi was made and completed in the year 1840 between your Majesty and the chiefs of New Zealand, to be the supreme power for the protection of us and our lands and all our properties. This is to bring to remembrance our faithfulness and allegiance to your Majesty and all the provisions of the said law; also to bring to remembrance the time when troubles arose between the two races, and when we were mindful of our gracious Queen and took up arms against our own people, when the blood of your Maori subjects was spilled through our great regard for our gracious Queen. Our greatest desire is that peace and good feeling should exist between the two races. In these days the chiefs feel satisfied that, since your Majesty has been so long exercising your authority as Queen of England, and has been so considerate in watching over and showing kindness to the Maori race and all other people under the shadow of your authority, that you would never wish nor consent to allow any trouble to arise nor any harm to come to your Maori race of New Zealand. We wish to inform your Majesty that there are a great many troubles and pains oppressing the Maori race of New Zealand, caused by the bad Laws affecting our Maori race which are being enacted by the Parliament. Your Majesty is aware that Maori members are entitled to sit in the Parliament of New Zealand; but the said members are only for appearance's sake, and as a me r ans of applying these bad laws passed by Parliament respecting land of the Maori race, for the purpose of burdening their lands with the sums of money borrowed from England, thus causing the men, the women, and children to complain bitterly. We therefore wish to draw your attention to the offensive Acts of the Parliament of New Zealand which are being forwarded to your Majesty for your Royal assent. We, your Maori race, pray that you may not give your consent to these oppressive Acts passed by the Parliament of New Zealand, for the Maori race do not desire them. Should you give your consent to these Acts it will cause the destruction of your Maori race. They will be destitute of land, and like unto the other races, that have not a treaty like the Treaty of Waitangi. Do not give your consent until you have received a request from your Maori people to do so. We, therefore, the Maori race, have decided to return to your Majesty our gracious Queen the protectorate over the lands of the Maoris in New Zealand, that your Majesty may guard them for us, lest we perish by these oppressive Acts of the Parliament of New Zealand. May you beware of these Acts which are being foiwarded to you. Your humble petitioners pray that you may grant their petition. God save the Queen and all the Royal Family. Paora Tuhaere. Mitai Titore. Wiremu Tuti Kohirnaru. Wirernu Poinare. Hekawera Mahapukoe. Te Taira Kaumati. Akuhata Tupara. Hori Tekukioterangi. Mereana Pareha Kohumaru. Hapi Pakau. Ploani Rangitakaniaho. George Grey Sheehan Taiwhanga. Raniera Whararai. Herata Paora Tuhaere. Sidney Taiwhanga. ' Mita Hape. Paki wi Hongi. Makarita Kohumaru. Te Materanga Taiwhanga. Paki Wiremu Kanekane Hareta Paki wi Hongi. Nonghawe Taiwhanga. Taiwhanga. Hone Haniorake. Tetiariki Maki Tauru. Apero Taiwhanga. Hirini Taiwhaki Manihera. S. W. Taiwhanga, M.H.R. Era Erana. Peri wi Tuti. Rapi T. Arapata. Penetawa Kohirnaru.

Enclosure No. 3. Memorandum for His Excellency the Governor. Ministers have received from His Excellency the petition signed by Paora Tuhaere and fourteen others on behalf of the whole Maori population of New Zealand, and would first observe that, although the petition bears date the 15th August, and the whole of the chiefs who signed it are at present in Wellington, it was not received at Government House until the 28th August.

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