E—No. 9 Sec. II.

Hetaraka Nero seems to have the confidence of the Europeans here generally, and I think they would make no objection to his acting along with I he Resident Magistrate in all cases between European and Native; but I submit it is placing him in a false position to allow him to act only on sufferance. I have to request that you would allow me to be furnished with a copy of the Ordinances and Acts of the Assembly for use in the Court here. I have constant reference to them on account of the adjudication of cases where the two races are concerned, and considerable trouble in obtaining them from Dr. Harsant; they are, moreover, too heavy to carry with me overland. If you comply with my request I should wish them to be forwarded to me here by vessel from Onehunga. The policemen of the Hundred have not yet received their clothes, though, I believe, measured for them in Auckland. If made, I beg to request that they may be forwarded by vessel direct from Onehunga to the care of Hetaraka Nero. 1 was requested to attend a Runanga last night about the establishment of a lock-up here, and forward you the report of the speeches thereon. They are interesting only as shewing the ability of the Natives to take part in debates. General matters. It has been several times stated publicly during my present circuit that His Excellency had promised at Kohanga and subsequently in Auckland, to pay the members of the various Runangas. As I believe the assertion to be unfounded, I would beg to suggest that a contradiction might be given to it in the " Karere Maori." The circulation of such a statement causes me considerable trouble. The head of the police in each Hundred have applied to me for some distinguishing badge, and I would recommend that sergeants' stripes be forwarded to me which could be sewed on to the clothes. I should at present only require four such, i. e., for four policenen. A proclamation offering a reward fin Maori) for the apprehension of sailors has been generally circulated. The Natives allege they are willing to arrest the parties whenever they find them, but they complain of the want of any description of each party by which they could bfi identified, and wish this to be altered in future. I have arranged, subject to your approval, to hold quarterly Couits in this part of my district, and the Assessors are quite satisfied with such arrangement. The whole Circuit will occupy a month or five weeks, perhaps more in winter, on account of the difficulties of the roads and bad weather. Mr. Joseph Graham applied to me respecting a public house license he is anxious to obtain for a new house he has lately erected in the township here. I informed him that I could give him no information as to it, but that I thought, inasmuch as there were two Magistrates in this district, they should have the power (as in the case of WaiuUu, Drury, and other out-townships) of deciding upon all applications for licenses. I promised to communicate these views to you. Mr. Henry Fuller, at present, is the only licensed publican here, and I think one public house is sufficient for the requirements of this place. On my return from Kawhig, I received a very insulting letter from Mr. J. C. Johnstone. As soon as I have completed the investigation I have been instructed by you to make, I will forward you a copy thereof along with my report. Regulations for the Hundred of Whaingaroa. The Runanga has handed me a copy of resolutions on which it is desired Regulations may be formed. They refer principally to cattle trespass. On enquiry, I find that the Natives have only a few hundred acres (said to be not exceeding 500) of reserved lands Irom Raglan to Aotea and from Raglan to the Waitetuna, the residue being Crown lands; say ten miles each way. As such regulations would if sanctioned by the Governor in Council, indirectly if not directly affect these Crown lands, I have declined to assent to them until I had communicated with you. It appears to me too extensive a power to entrust to the owners of these few hundred acres, viz., the right of legislating for the whole lands. I should propose that the Crown lands should be included in this particular Hundred, the whole to form one Runanga, each raGe to be represented therein according to numbers. I am aware this scheme cannot be carried into effect without further power from the General Assembly, *nd therefore only introduce the subject to your notice. The scheme would no doubt be an experiment, and I consider this Hundred the most suitable place for testing it, as the Native population have always been renowned for their lovalty. The interests of both races must be the same, but if one race carried a regulation of a partial nature, the Commissioner would always be able to advise the Government of its nature, and it could then be rejected by the Governor in Council. I have ascertained the views of some of the most intelligent Europeans on this scheme, and they are very favorable to it. The only opposition it would meet with would be from Mr- Johnstone (as J am informed) but that might equally be expected in any plan which did not emanate from himself, or in any plan which tended to equalize the two races. I forward you a copy of these resolutions herewith for your information. The application for Crown Grants refers only to the Native Reserves before mentioned. With reference to their application for a medical man, I should inform you that the Rev. Mr. Wallis administers medicine to the Natives gratuitously, and has the confidence of the Natives for his skill therein. If you did not think it worth while to station a doctor here, I should recommend that be be supplied with drugs, and receive a small salary for his services if he would accept it. I do not know his views as to same. I have, &c, The Hon. H. Sewell, James Armitage, Attorney-General. Resident Magistrate.

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LOWER WAIKATO.