E—No. 3d

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FUKTHER PAPERS RELATIVE

whenever they may become practicable. He should be advised to have a distinct boundary marked out between the lands of the Kara was, and those of the neighbouring tribes; and, if necessary, the Magistrate should urge upon them the advantage of conceding or exchanging isolated portionsi a order to faciliate that object. When this has been accomplished, every exertion should be made to indicate the lands belonging , to the different "hapus," until it may be hoped that an individualization of title may ba ultimately accomplished. A register of such boundaries should be kept both at Mongonui and in Auckland. It appears to me that the establishment of such a system would be a great step in advance, and might be the precursor of far greater improvements. Thomas Goke Browne.

No. 5. i Native Secretary's Office, Auckland, February 28th, 1861. With reference to His Excellency's Memorandum of the 26th instant, suggesting that an attempt should be made to introduce an improved system of Government in the district occupied by the Rarawa tribe ; the Native Secretary, and the Assistant Native Secretary, have the honor to report as follows: — We fully concur in His Excellency's opinion, that the peculiar circumstances of the Rarawa tribe, point out their district as a proper field for trying an experiment of the kind proposed in the Memorandum under consideration, and believe that in no other Native district would succpss be so likely to attend such an undertaking; more especially as its practical working would be in the hands of an officer eminently fitted for the task by his personal qualities, and knowledge of the Native character, and from the respect and confidence with which he has fortunately succeeded in inspiring the Natives generally, in the district over which he presides as Magistrate. Apart from the benefit to the people immediately concerned, much good would result from the effect likely to be produced upon other tribes. No better evidence could be afforded of a willingness on the part of the Government, to assist the loyal and well disposed, in establishing and supporting institutions for the preservation of order amongst themselves, and thus to improve their social condition and promote their civilization. At the present time especially, it is most desirable that the Government should manifest its paternal character, by making the interests of the loyal tribes the subject of special consideration, and beneficent action, and that it should be made apparent to the Natives generally, that the Government is at least as earnest in seeking to promote the well being of the loyal and peaceable, as in taking such measures to punish the disloyal and rebellious. Under the superintendence of so able and judicious an officer as Mr. White, we see no reason to doubt the success of any well-considered scheme adapted to the circumstances of the tribes with whom he has to deal, and accepted by them. We believe that Mr.. White himself would be best able to form a sound judgment, as to how far the proposed plan is so adapted, or would meet with acceptance, we therefore submit that it would be desirable to have the opinion of that officer, before deciding upon the adoption of any new system of Native management for his district. It might be intimated to him that the Government will be prepared to provide funds, to a certain amount, for the carrying out of some feasible plan for the social improvement and good government of the Native tribes in his district; and he might be requested to report how, in his opinion, such funds might be best applied for the accomplishment of the desired object. Believing that the wise policy of the Government will be rather to ignore than to perpetuate tribal distinctions, we are of opinion that the authority of the Chiefs which it is now proposed to recognize and confirm, should be exercised with regard to territorial boundaries, each Chief having, as far as possible, a separate local jurisdiction. For this reason, among others, we think that any system brought into operation in the Mongonui district should not be restricted to a single tribe, but should embrace the whole district. The Ngapuhi would reasonably expect that privileges granted to the Rarawa should be equally conceded to them as residents in the same Native district. It is scarcely probable that the Rarawa would unite in acknowledging one Chief as having supreme authority over all the " hapus," or sub-divisions of the tribe, but it might be possible to select a few Ngapuhi and Rarawa Chiefs possessing amongst them an amount of influence sufficient to control the whole Native population of the district, and who might b_ attached to the Government by giving them pensions or salaries, with some special appointment under the Crown. We are of opinion that these appointments should be considered rather as the Government sanction of existing authority than as conferring new powers or imposing new duties. Little should be required of the Chiefs holding them, beyond presiding at public meetings at their own settlements, attending the Magistrates when holding Courts there, .nd generally using their influence to secure obedience to the decisions of the .Magistrate or- Assessors, and to preserve peace and order in the community. This arrangement should be independent of, and distinct from the machinery provided for the administration of justice in the district, though it is probable that some of the paid Chiefs would also make good Assessors. It is frequently the case that the most influential Chiefs are men who, from age and other causes, are not fitted to exercise the office of a Native Assessor, while it is yet most important to secure their good will and co-operation. With reference to the administration of justice Mr. White has recently submitted his views to the Government, and stated what he considers necessary to place it upon an efficient footing.