A.—No. 4

REPORTS ON THE STATE OE THE NATIVES AT

16

J. 11. Campbell, Esq. —continued.

Their physical condition generally is good; their moral condition not so good, and it is likely tocontinue so as long as they adhere to their custom of living crowded together in pas. Hauhauism, as far as regards its fanatical or religious features is dying out, but not so the deeplyseated antagonisms and hatred of our Government and people which has been from the commencement its real characteristic. The feeling of the Natives in regard to the war was, in my opinion, unquestionably one of largelyincreased respect for England. "Whether the withdrawal of the troops has tended to weaken that feeling is doubtful. Although, in respect of the suppression of the outbreak on this coast, and its being effected by Colonial forces, with the assistance of Native allies, they seem to be aware that any attempt of the same local nature could again be aa effectually put down, yet the boast is occasionally made that in the event of another war we should require Imperial troops to assist us. This is only said in good-natured argument, but it gives some idea of their opinion of regular troops. The prospect of peace being permanently established will, I consider, depend much, at least on this coast, upon the legislation in respect of Native lands. Owing to the delay in dealing with the question of confiscation time has been given to the Natives to reconsider that which at the conclusion of hostilities they were quite prepared to allow was just and reasonable, even according to their own ideas of the rights of conquest —that the Government should assume possession of all- lands held by rebels. The time that has elapsed has encouraged many of the friendly Natives to claim these lands oil account of some relationship discovered to exist between them and the former Hauhau possessors. But the most obnoxious measure to them, and one which I would particularly draw the attention of the Government to and commend to their grave consideration as being fruitful in causes of future trouble, is the scheme of taking blocks of laud in certain localities, regardless of ownership, whetherfriendly or otherwise. I have been witness to many and violent expressions of discontent on this measure being announced to them. They loudly complain that if they are required to remove from homes rendered sacred to them by long occupation of themselves and their ancestors they are being treated no better than rebels, and that no other lands could compensate them for those that they are thus dispossessed of. The subject of Education, which I was in hopes a short time ago would interest them sufficiently to induce them to co-operate with the Government scheme is, I fear, for the present lost sight of in the all engrossing question of land. The Representation Bill was well received by the Ngatiporou, extending from Anaura to Hick's Bay, but beyond that and as far as the Kaha, on the Bay of Plenty, I found a spirit of indifference with regard to this as well as to anything connected with the Government. The same state of feeling prevails to a great extent at Turanga. I have endeavoured to reply as succinctly as possible to the questions suggested by your letter, a,nd I believe that the information I have given will be found to convey to His Excellency and the Government the true state of the Natives in this district at present. J. 11. Campbell, Waipu, 11th March, 1868. Resident Magistrate, Waiapu.

No. 10. ¥AIEOA. Report from S. Deigiitos", Esq., Resident Magistrate, Wairoa. In accordance with instructions contained in your circular No. 71-2, February 11th, 1 have now the honor to forward the following report: — In dealing with facts which have come under my immediate cognizance during the last three years,. I may first state, that on my arrival here although the Native population generally speaking were upon the most amicable terms with the Europeans, yet as far as the administration of the laws were concerned they were under very little control further than it suited their own convenience, and nearly all purely Native misunderstandings were settled by the runanga, and I may say generally in an unsatisfactory manner, the custom being in most cases to inflict large fines for offences of every description, perfectly regardless of any legal right to do so. A few mouths after my arrival Hauhauism first broke out at Wairoa, a large body of fanatics, headed by Te Waru making their appearance and causing much alarm among the population of both races. At the request however of Pitiera Kopu, I at once sent to Napier for assistance, which promptly arrived in the shape of arms and ammunition for the settlers and loyal Natives, and was followed up shortly afterwards by the arrival of a small detachment of local forces. In the meantime the fanaticsm was rapidly gaining ground, and but for the timely help sent us by the General Government Agent, the greater part of the Natives would have joined the Hauhaus, not so much from inclination or belief in their doctrines, as from actual fear ; a reaction however took place and from the causes above mentioned, combined with the strenuous exertions and unwavering loyalty of Kopu, the clanger was averted. About this time (May, 1865,) I was despatched by the General Government Agent to Waiapu where I remained with a few short intervals till the conclusion of the East Coast campaign; on my return here I found things in a much, more promising condition than I could have anticipated owing principally to our success on the East Coast, notwithstanding that every attempt was made by the rebels to throw discredit on the statements made relative to the war. Te Waru was at this time living at Te Marumaru about fifteen miles up the river Wairoa, and had been reinforced by large numbers of rebels who had escaped from different places along the coast having been driven from thence by our forces. At the conclusion of the Poverty Bay campaign, the said forces under Major Eraser were sent here and immediately proceeded up the river to bring the rebels to subjection (having been joined by a large body of loyal Natives under Kopu, Ihaka Whauga, and other chiefs of the district), a very

S. Detrition, Esq.