ZEALAND TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE.

31

A.—No. 1a

Colonial Government with a view to its repeal or modification. An attempted disregard of a law is not a justifiable mode of bringing about such a result, and it certainly is no ground on which to claim compensation for the loss which such attempt has entailed. F. A. Weld. Wellington, Bth June, 1865. No. 18. Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor Sir George Grey, K.C.8., to the Right Hon. the Earl of Carnarvon. (No. 19.) Christchurch, Canterbuiy, My Lord, — 4th February, 1867. I have the honor to transmit for your Lordship's information, a copy of an interesting Report, by Mr. Parris, the Civil Commissioner of the Taranaki District, which shows a very satisfactory state of affairs on the West Coast of the Northern Island. I have, &c, The Right Hon. the Earl of Carnarvon. G. GREY.

, Enclosure 1 in No. 18. Mr. Parris to the Native Minister. Sir, — New Plymouth, 24th January, 1867. I have the honor to report for the information of His Excellency's Government, that with reference to the party of Waikatos now in the Taranaki District, that after they had left Kirikiringa, in the Ngatimaru District, the Chief Nepe came in to me to report what took place during their stay in that district, on their way south. They assured the Ngatiawa Natives, under William King, Bangataki, and Hapurona, that their mission was a peaceable one, and that after visiting the different tribes in this Province, they should collect what Waikato Natives there were in the district and clear out for good not to return again. Nepe assured me that both he and Hapurona were of opinion that if our forces were kept quiet for about two months, that peaceful relations would be established with all the Natives of this Province. On arriving in the Ngatiruanui District, tho Waikatos wanted to come to Taranaki by the coast road, but Hone, Pihama, and Mawaia (Wiremu, Kingi, Hukanui) opposed their doing so, being an armed party, and told them to go by the bush track, at which More, the Native in charge of the party, threatened to stop the road between Opunaki and Warea. This caused some alarm at the outposts (Warea and Opunaki), and Lieutenant-Colonel Hamley was about to reinforce Warea, until I told him there was no necessity for tho slightest anxiety for the safety of those places. In my letter of the 7th instant, I reported that a deputation of Natives had gone from Waikoukou to Ngatiruanui to recommend a discontinuance of hostilities, and I have now much pleasure in forwarding a letter from Tamati Kaweora, reporting favourably the result of the deputation's visit to the Ngatiruanuis. A party of seven young men (Natives) arrived from Ngatiruanui yesterday on a visit to their friends at Waiwakaiho. This morning a Native arrived from Opunaki with a mail, having come through the district to Warea in the daytime. He saw a few Natives, but was not interfered with. He reports that Captain Morrison, Captain Hampton, and a Mr. Gates, who left this on Tuesday last, arrived safe at Opunaki, and left for Ngatiruanui yesterday morning. I have, &c, The Hon Minister of Native Affairs, Wellington. B. Barris, Civil Commissioner.

Sub-Enclosure 1 to Enclosure 1 in No. 18. Tamati Kawena to Mr. Parris. [translation.] To Mr. Parris,— Friend. We have all of us seen Eeweti and Pumipe —in fact all of them. They informed Arama Karaka, and I, and all of us, that they went to break the weapon of Ngatiruanui, and they say it is broken and ended. Arama Karaka said to them—" Be correct and truthful in what you say ; perhaps when you arrive " below (at Waikoukou) there is some one who will be selected, as in the case of Buaroa." He and Mr. " Parris talked together, and on his returning you heated the oven." Eeweti replied—" Why do you " listen to the talk of a thief. This is I; this is we —your relatives. Look here ; all of Taranaki is " represented by us and our talk. The council will decide that one, when I shall see my friends the " Europeans, and talk together." I then said to Eeweti —" When you see that (the time for meeting " Europeans) send a child by the coast road, and not by the bush road; let him come to the redoubt," to which he replied —" That is correct." We did not enter fully into their talk, but will send on what comes of it. From Tamati Kawena.