FURTHER PAPERS RELATIVE TO NATIVE AFFAIRS.

E— No. 3d

6

Government on the Natives of this district since 1848, I have stated my conviction that the Rarawa tribe was not only the most loyal, but the most indolent of the New Zealand tribes. Their indolence is the great enemy I have had to struggle against, driving me at times almost to despair of ever being able to get them to interest themselves sufficiently in public matters, or exert themselves to improve their own condition. When lam present to urge, and exhort, they will agree with me, and are very willing, but no sooner is my back turned, than they return to their original state of apathy. It will thus appear that my influence over these people is really counteracted by their indolence, and that we are in great danger of failure in any scheme we try for their benefit through the apathy of the people. For the above reason I feel diffident in entering upon any new experiment, moreover I fear that the election of one Chief with a salary so much larger than the others, would certainly lead to much difficulty and jealousy. The district is so divided that, from Monganui North, the tribe is Rarawa, and from Monganui South, as far as my district extends, they are Ngapuhi. The people would not at present mix in concert in their tribal affairs; again the principal Chief would be certain to be elected Deputy or Superintendent. Puhipi, the principal, is a man of the old school, kind, indolent, easy, and always agreeing with the last speaker. He has not therefore much influence for good with the people, and scarcely any influence with the people South of Ksiitaia, still his influence is sufficient to ensure failuie if he did not secure the office for himself, or one of his own relations; it is so much easier to do evil than good. From Mongonui to Wangaroa, a separate, but similar machinery would have to be started as their tribal differences would prevent their cordial co-operation. Believing, then, there would be great difficulty in establishing one Chief over so jealous and tenacious a class of people, I will take the liberty to suggest, that the Resident Magistrate should be empowered to, call the people together, for the purpose of laying the following scheme before them, that each "hapu" forming a district should elect three or more Councilmen, out of these a Chairman; They should be Assessors ex officio: their duties should be to suggest rules for the internal Government of the "hapu" or district, and assist the Magistrate in enforcing the law. That records should be kept of their doings, and on the visit of the Magistrate, the Council should assemble, and the former work put in shape for the great Council of the tribe, which should consist of the Chairmen of the District Councils, which should assemble, say, once in three months, in presence of the Resident Magistrate. The great Council would listen to the wants of the different Councils, and would form rules for the public good, as suggested in His Excellency's Minute. In this way jealousies might be avoided; no Chief would be placed conspicuously above the others, and all would be engaged in the management of the affairs of their locality; nor is it likely that the amour propre of the old Chiefs would be in any way offended. The Chairmen of the District Councils might receive, say ten pounds, and the Chairman of the Great Council twenty pounds ; if a Native can be found competent to the office of Secretary he should also receive twenty pounds. The Resident Magistrate's duty would be of course to guide and instruct the Councils in the way of carrying on the Public Meetings, and with the Chairman of the Great Council address the Governor for his approval of the rules prepared by the Council. The district I at present preside over might be divided thus—Rarawa seven subdivisions, or kapus. Ngapuhi five ditto. But this might perhaps be better left to the meeting. The Councillors should be invited to render all assistance in maintaining the dignity and prestige of the Assessors of the District Courts. I submitted a letter relative to them on January 31st last. I have, &c, W. B. White, Resident Magistrate. P.S. —I referred the accompanying papers to Mr. Puckey as requested, and also to the Rev. W. Kirk, both gentlemen of great experience of the Natives, and beg to forward their opinions. W. B. W.

No. 8. Mongonui, 19th March, 1861. My Dear Sir, —• As to His Excellency's suggestions that the administration of law amongst the Maoris be left principally to a Native Magistrate and Assessors, I am of opinion that in the present state of the Natives such an arrangement would be greatly injudicious. The regular visits of the Resident Magistrate to central places, assisted by intelligent Assessors, are of much moral benefit to the Natives, and cannot be advantageously superseded. Could an Hospital be erected at Mongonui for the Rarawa and Ngapuhi tribes of the neighbourhood, 1 believe it would be generally appreciated, and would probably contribute to the saving of many lives. " ■ • I am, &c, William Kirk, W. B. White, Esq.

memorandum. I have seen the Governor's suggestions relative to the administration of the law amongst the Natives of this district. I cannot think that it could be brought practically to work. It appears to me that the system Mr. White has adopted with his Assessors here is working well without raising the jealousy of the Chiefs, one against the other, which would assuredly be the case under the proposed system. I have, &c, W. G. Puckey. Mongonui, March 15, 1861.