E-JS To. 2

On the Saturday, 28th May, the bodies of Hemi and two leading chiefs on our side, who had been killed, were brought through the town on their way to Putiki, where they were to be buried. Colonel Logan ordered the garrison flag to be hoisted half-mast high, and gave permission to his men to volunteer to attend the funeral, which about 50 did, in uniform, but without a ruin. Colonel Logan, myself, and several officers of the General and Provincial Governments joined in the procession, and as it passed through the town a large proportion of the shops were closed, and the inhabitants, who thronged the principal street, stood uncovered. These marks of respect and sympathy were much, appreciated by the Maoris. In the afternoon I rode to Aramaho with Colonel Logan, Mr. White, and others. Here au extempore meeting was held, at which strong assurances of fidelity were given by the Natives, and request was made for arms. I have since directed these to be supplied. A very handsome mat, and a roll of bank notes was presented to me, as an apology, they said, for there being no feast ready. The money, of course, I retnrned, accepting the mat as the usual token of amity. On Sunday, 29th May, I again visited the hospitals, and found the wounded, with one exception, doing well. The manner in which the Natives recover from wounds of the most severe character, is very remarkable. Some amputations had been successfully performed. Having heard in Whanganui that a large party of king Natives from Otaki, led by Wi Hapi (who had just returned from fighting against the Q.ueeu's troops in Waikato) were about to take up their abode in the Eaugitikei district. I determined to go there, in the hope of inducing the resident Natives, by my personal influence Tvith them as old friends and neighbours, to prevent the others coming. I started from Whanganui on Monday morning, 30th May, and reached Eangitikei the same evening. Next morning I crossed the Eangitikei river, to the Ecu Ecu pa, where I found some of the principal chiefs. The report appeared to be true. I spoke strongly and plainly to them, pointing out the probable consequences of their allowing men with blood on their hands to come among them. The result was, that on the following day they despatched a chief, Wi Pukapuka to turn back Wi Hapi, who was at a pa about 20 miles off, two others accompanied me to Otaki, where they gave the Natives to understand that they must not come to Eangitikei, and I have no doubt they will be prevented from doing so. Next morning, Ist June, I proceeded down the coast, visiting Ihakara, near the mouth of the Eangitikei. Ihakara is a cousin of Eewi Maniapoto, and expressed great anxiety to save him. I explained to him that if he submitted he would not be punished, except by the loss of his lands. Ihakara, who seemed very much in earnest, begged me to let him go to Waikato to see Eewi. I agreed to give him a passage to Auckland, and let him go through to Eewi from thence. He will come up shortly. I was joined before leaving Eangitikei by Mr. Buller, E.M. He accompanied me down the coast as far as Waikanae. He .nformed me that, acting under instructions from Dr. Featherston, he had just succeeded in purchasing 250,000 acres of the Manawatu block for £12,000. A purchase of great importance, both in a political and colonizing point of view. Slept at Manawatu. 2nd June. Started from Manawatu for Porotawhao and Horowhenua. Found the Natives gone on to Otaki to wait for me there ; followed them down ; held a large meeting at the Court House, at Otaki village in the evening; at which place I gave an account of the progress of the suppression of rebellion in Waikato, and NoaTe Eauhihi, whom I had lately sent to Waikato to see what had been done there, made an extremely eloquent and judicious speech on the same subject, which appeared to excite very great interest. 3rd June. Left Otaki; after crossing the Euru held another meeting, at which Epiha and the Porotawhao Natives were present, when the speeches of last evening were repeated. Thence we rode on to Waikanae, where we arrived late in the afternoon. I had heard at Otaki that Wi Tako, the principal leader of the king movement in Cook's Straits, had made lip his mind to abandon kingism. His Excellency will remember the uncompromising demeanour of this chief at an interview which he had with His Excellency at Wellington, two years ago, and his determination to support " his king." I had been led to expect that he might attend the Otaki meeting, for the purpose of declaring his allegiance to the Queen. I was disappointed at his not appearing there, but on reaching Waikanae, where he lives, I sent Mr. Buller to his pa, to tell him I had arrived at the village. He was not long in coming down, and at once proceeded to business, by informing me that he had been waiting for me three days, and asking what were the thoughts of the Governor and myself towards the Natives ? Did our love embrace them all ? &c, &c. As there were others present, I proposed an adjournment to another room, accompanied by Mr. Buller only. I there repeated to him the conditions on which submission would be accepted ;• —the surrender of arms, declaration of allegiance to the Queen, and forfeiture of land, where the Government might choose to enforce it. He replied by stating that the terms were very fair. He then gave his reasons for having joined the king movement. "He had expected good from it; and if they had taken his advice he believed it would have had a very diiferent result; but on every single occasion when he had offered advice it had been rejected. He considered kingism was beaten, and he was beaten also. Why should a beaten man stand out longer ? When Sir George Grey had talked to him on the subject two years ago, he, Wi Tako, had said that that dispute must be settled in AVaikato. It had now been fought out there, and he was satisfied. The contest now was no longer for kingism, but for Eewi and Thompson. Why should he lose his to save theirs ?" His demeanour was frank ; equally without any appearance of false shame and of bluster ; but he was evidently very anxious to be received. Mr. Buller left the room, and returned with a written copy of the declaration of allegiance. He began to read it aloud, and WiTako of his own accord repeated it after him. As soon as he had finished, I handed him a pen, and he signed it without the least hesitation. He then said, "You may take this as the surrender of kingism between Whanganui and Hawkes Bay. I have written to Ngairo (Wairarapa), to Ahuriri, to Poverty Bay, to tell them so, and to invite the leading men to a meeting here immediately, when all will consent to the abandonment of kingism." I told him that he being a groat chief, and his name known all through New Zealand as a leader of the king party, I should not ask for his gun. But as regarded his followers, I did not know who these were; many were Taurekarekas (elaTes) and not to be trusted with guns. " They must give them up." H«

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PAPERS RELATIVE TO NATIVE AFFAIRS.