F—No 3

BEFORE THE WAIKATO COMMITTEE.

"Let the King be placed upon his kingly throne, and after him, let Governors be sought Out for each district, and councils for the whole. The money [to defray expenses] is easily procured. " If you are unsuccessful the Europeans will taunt you and scoff at you, " When the King is elected, we shall be a sacred people, and our former greatness [i.e. our national dignity] will return unto us. " The Council will search after truth for him —the King, and influence will be given to this man and that man, to this tribe and that tribe. " This is a word of advice. " When the King shall be seated upon his throne of majesty, I will return to my own home. " To the assemblies of the chiefs of New Zealand." " I am not disposed to think seriously of all this, though the subject appears to have taken deep root in the minds of many influential Chiefs; but I do think that strenuous efforts should be put forth in order that our friendly relations with the Maori tribes may be established upon a firm basis, for whatever may be asserted to the contrary, the links which hitherto bound the races together, are being broken, one by one. " I cannot see how this is to be accomplished under the present system, nor does there appear to be the slightest probability of anything but increased disorder in the Native Departments by their consolidation. " The political portion of the business, which is by far the most important, will be completely buried in the multiplicity of land questions which daily arise, and the difficulties in connection with land are likely to increase tenfold. The consolidation of the offices as an experiment has proved an utter failure. It becomes a question, therefore, requiring the most serious consideiation of the Minister for Native Affairs, as to whether the political branch of the Native Department shall be placed in unskilful hands, and whether the whole attention of its officers should not be directed to the improvement of our relations with the Native tribes. Not indeed by foolishly yielding to their prejudices, nor by the bestovvment of gifts, which will never bind them to our cause, but which will tend to make them far more unmanageable. " It should be borne in mind that those persons who are engaged in land matters, are almost always suspected of taking advantage; their usefulness in regard to political matters therefore will be limited, and their influence in a great measure will depend upon the amount of money at their disposal. " No presents should ever be given or any loans granted through the Land Office, as these favours are sure to be considered as so many inducements to sell land. All the Officers acquainted with Maori being placed in the Land Department, the Governor will be looked upon as a mere land agent, which, of course, will be most derogatory to His Excellency. "There may indeed be some principle which has guided the Minister for Native Affairs in the union of the Native Offices; but it appears to many unprejudiced and reflecting minds, that such a union as that of the Native Secretary's Department with the Land Office, is fraught; with numerous evils. This strange fusion, it is true, keeps us all in a kind of bustle; but what is the result ? the duties are performed with an absence of all judgment; projects are formed pregnant with theoretical notions which end only in disappointment and vexation ; and while the dangerous experiment is being made, we are sacrificing our own interests, and destroying that influence which has enabled us hitherto to govern the restless and warlike New Zealand race. CO. Davis. memorandum. " The great Taupo meeting attended by Te Wherowhero and many other Chiefs of high standing is about to come off. There is a good deal of mystery connected with this national gathering, nor is it lessened by the fact that a platform has been erected upon which the inscriptions have been written, " Hinana ki uta, Hinana ki tai." (Look to the land, and look to the sea.) " Of course ie is known that various political questions will be discussed, and especially that of the election of a King, " There things may be unimportant in themselves, but it is impossible to say what they will lead to, for there are not wanting persons throughout the country who warmly encourage such proceedings. " How necessary then that the heads of the Native Departments should be men of energy and stability of character, men who will give little to the Natives, but do much for them. C. O. Davis. Wiremu Maehe called in, and examined. 339. Chairman.] What is your name, and to what tribe do you belong?—Wiremu Maehe Te Rangikaheke of Ngatirangiweweli. 340. Have you any general acquaintance with people?—l am acquainted with the sentiments of the Waikato Chiefs. 341. Do you know that Mr. Fenton was Magistrate at ?—I heard of Mr. Fenton's appointment as Magistrate for Waikato. 342. _ Do you know anything about Mr. Fenton's proceedings with reference to the native runangas? —-What I know has been communicated to me by the Chiefs ; they have spoken to me of the excellent manner in which Mr. Fenton administered justice; there was no turning, it was in accordance with the plans being laid down by themselves ; so also what was taught by Mr. [Fenton was clear according to the Pakeha runangas and the regulations of the Queen. 343. Were you acquainted with Potatau ?—Yes; he is a parent (relative) of mine.

C- O. Davis, Esq. 6 Oct. 1860,

Wiremu Maehe, 6 Oct. 1860.

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