E.—No. 13

followed on the subject of the soldiers, and though they admitted, as they had done at Ilangatikei, that the Governor had a right to move troops on the Queen's land, they said it manifested distrust and they would not treat about anything else till they were taken back to the camp. There was, however, nothing like excitement about the soldiers, nor any talk of fighting. During last night three Maoris came from Paetai to tell Matutaera that the soldiers were come to the la, and he sent word back that '; his children (Tamariki) should be patient and not go over to the land where the soldiers were, and that he would go down the river to be near them." He started this morning for Ngaruawahia. The arguments between Eewi and myself occupied most of the morning till dinner time, ftewi very seldom speaks in public, and his object on this occasion evidently was to prevent my talking over the Taupo natives, who are not staunch Kingites, and not at all war men. Not one Taupo man went to Taranaki. However, he outwitted himself, for when we re-assembled after lunch, Poihipi and the best Taupo men did not return, but went off to a house in the rear, where they remained by themselves. They sent for Mr. Gorst and told him that they were greatly disgusted with liewi for taking the part he had done, that they were deputed from Taupo to talk with me, and that they wished to have an interview without the Ngatimaniapotos. Mr. Gorst communicated this to me, and when Te Heuheu had finished a two hours oration de omnibus rebus, with which he indulged us after lunch, I slipped away to Poihipi and the others, and it was arranged that to-morrow they will come down to Mr." Morgan's "to see me by themselves. They declare they will go no further with the Ngatimaniapotos, but rest where they are and return to Taupo, evidently very much offended. There is no doubt that the overbearing conduct of the Ngatimaniapotos is tending to create divisions in the King party. It is doubtful whether Thompson and the Ngatihauas will put up with it much longer. There seems also some prospect of a split in the direction of Ahuriri, arising out of the deaths of Epiha and another native, who are believed to have been bewitched by an Ahuriri chief. The talk of the Waikatos has been so loud about it, that two Ahuriri natives, who came down with the Taupo Natives, took fright the first night they got into Waikato at what they heard, and went off for home in the night. All this goes for what it is worth, but put together there are indications that the different tribes are not strongly united and that if hostilities can be avoided, they will not long hold together with no other bond of union than their King. I had a long private talk with Rangitake, ("William King) Mr. Morgan interpreting for me. On the subject of Waitara he says it must stand over, it cannot be disposed of at present. He repeated the statements that have been so often made of the multifarious ownership of the block sold by Terra. He wants Teira to be taken to live in town (Taranaki) and particularly urges that in any negotiations we may hereafter have about it, Parris may not be allowed to interfere. He reported that the stoppage of the road to Wanganui was baaed on Parris' stopping the Ngatiruanui from coming to Nga Motu; and said distinctly that if the latter restrictions were removed, the road would lie opened. He asked if the Governor meant to take troops to Tataraimaka. I told him the pakehas would certainly be replaced on their farms there and elsewhere in Taranaki, and that, if necessary, soldiers would protect them. He begged me not to hurry this, that it was " Tako the pai ana ;" all right, but wait a little. My impression is that the only thing William King cares about is Waitara, and that 1 think he "would arrange if the Ngatimaniapotos would let him. Indeed, but for this tribe I believe we should have but little trouble with any of them. They seem thoroughly stubborn and had such good fortune in the war and so much plunder, that they would like to fight again. Apropos of the plunder King said quietly, " Don't say any more about the plunder, the pakeha took plenty of my property. I have said nothing about it." He did not speak in public at all but I found him very pleasant in his private talk. Personally, he is the finest Chief I have seen, though now getting somewhat old and rather grey. Subsequently as I passed his whare, as I was going to mount my horse, he saw me, beckoned me in, and went into a state of great good humour, which ended in his clutching two sticks of tobacco from my hand, which I was about to present to a lady whom I took to be his wife, and which, notwithstanding the most urgent entreaties on her part, he declined to restore, laughing at the joke till his eyes ran over. The last time I saw him was in 1857 or 1858 in Queen Charlotte's Bound, at a Tangi over a Ngatiawa Chief named liobert. He is much changed, but not altogether for the worse. The result of these various I/iiis is to satisfy me that there is a great ferment going on among the Natives. How it will eventuate none can say, though I think it is clear they will not fight unless we strike the first blow. I do not look upon anything that the Natives have said about Waitara or other subjects as conclusive. Thompson has not been consulted, and till he is, nothing will be decided finally. I think the impression made by the Governor's talk at Taupari and mine here has decidedly been good, and has inclined many to listen to reason. But on the other hand, the advance of the troops has nipped the growing confidence in the bud, and is a handle for the more disaffected and warlike to work with on those who are less so. The greatest care should be taken to prevent any intrusion by the soldiers, collectively or individually, on Native land. So long as this is avoided I think there will be no mischief arise out of their presence at the la, and probably before long the natives will be reconciled to it. Special messengers have been sent off for Thompson by the natives in consequence partly of my talk at the huis, and partly on account of the soldiers. There will be great liuis at Ngaruawahia as soon as he arrives. The messenger I sent for him a week ago ought to return to-morrow at latest, and I shall then probably know whether and when he is coming. If there is a probability of his being here within the week I shall remain to see him, unless I find from my letters by this mail (which are at Taupari) that I am wanted at Auckland. If the day is not too far advanced after I have seen the Taupo Natives to-morrow,

7

NATIVE AFFAIRS.