E—No. 9 Sec. IV.
With reference to the manner of introducing the new system into the Bay of Plenty, it is the wish of the Government that you should, after conferring with the Resident Magistrate, and with the Natives inhabiting that part part of the country, submit your own opinion andsuggestions as to the extent and limits of the district or districts which it may be expedient to constitute, having refeence to the circumstances of the various tribes living on the coast and in the interior. Iu the event of your finding the Natives willing to accept the proposed institutions, His Excellency authorizes you to assure them that he is prepared at once to introduce it among them, and to make the necessary appoiutmeuts of salaried officers, with provision for their pay, to commence with the year 1862. It may be well, if you find convenient opportunity, to point out to them the mischievous consequences which must result from a division of the authority of government within the Colony, and the inevitable conflict of races which must ensue if the so-called King movement is persisted in with a view to establish a separate form of government for the Native race; aud how the benefits of law and order may be secured to them in a tenfold degree, by placing themselves under a system which will be administered with perfect equality to both races. As soon as you have accomplished the objects of your present mission, you will return to Auckland personally to report your proceedings to the Government. During your absence you will be allowed travelling expenses at the rate of 10s. per diem, and forage for a horse at 3s. per diem. You will also consider yourself authorized to incur such reasonable expenses as you may find necessary in seeking to carry out the wishes of the Government, as in defraying expenses of Chiefs or Assessors who may be required to accompany you in your visits to the various Native settlements, to attend meetings, &e. I have, &c., Henry Sewell. T. H. Smith, Esq., Auckland.
No. 2. FIRST REPORT FROM T. H. SMITH, ESQ., R. M. Maketu, December 26th, 1861. Sir,— I have the honor to report, for the information of the Government, my proceedings under instructions from the Hon. the Attorney-General dated December 14th, directing me to visit the Bay of Plenty for the purpose of ascertainiog the circumstances of the district and the temper of the Native mind, and of obtaining the assent of the Natives to the introduction of the new Institutions planned by His Excellency for the government of the Native race. On the 14th instant, I embarked in the "Caroline" for Tauranga, where I landed on the 16th. Mr. H. Clarke, K. M., was absent on circuit, his return being expected about the 21st. Soon after landing, I communicated with two of the Taurauga Assessors, and requested them to call a meeting of the people at some convenient place, to furnish me with an opportunity of making known the object of my mission. It was, accordingly, arranged that I should meet the Ngaiterangi on Wednesday the 18th instant, at the site of the new mill near Te Matapihi settlement. On the day named, 1 proceeded to the place of meeting, accompanied by the Rev. C. Baker, three Native Assessors, and Wirimu Maihi. I found a party of about 150 assembled, who gave us a most cordial reception. After the usual preliminary speeches of welcome, I addressed the meeting, stating that the object of my visit was to offer them the assistance of the Government in establishing law and order among them and generally promoting their social advancement. I explained to them that the Government recognized and sympathized with the efforts made by themselves in this direction, and was anxious to ensure their success by lending its aid to supply what otherwise might be lacking, proper direction and the means of remunerating the services of such officers as it might be found necessary to appoint. I read and explained in detail the document setting forth the plan proposed by His Excellency, to which I requested their attention, assuring them that the Governor was prepared to introduce the system at once if generally assented to. Copies of that document were also distributed. The replies of the Chiefs, most of whom spoke, differed considerably. Some were for rejecting ultogether the overtures of the Government, which they said were merely put forth as a bail to seduce them frpm their allegiance to the Maori King. Others expressed their appreciation of the good intentions of the Government, but were unwilling to acknowledge the Queen or the Governor as having any authority over them. Others were for maintaining a neutral position between the Government and the Maori King, and accepting the proffered aid. While a few urged the acceptance of the proposed plan without any reservation. I replied by deprecating any discussion of the Maori King question at that meeting, reminding them that the Governor was probably then in Waikato ; that the question was one which would have to be settled between him and Waikato, and that pending such settlement it was idle to discuss the question here; that the Governor gave them credit for a desire to establish law and order among themselves, and proposed to help them, and if I hey were sincere in their professions they would not reject his help. I proceeded to point out the inconvenience and danger which must attend a separation of the two races under different governments, and concluded by intimating that, as an officer of the Government, I could not listen to a reference to any authority but
4
REPORTS OF OFFICERS:
Use your Papers Past website account to correct newspaper text.
By creating and using this account you agree to our terms of use.
Your session has expired.