A.—No. 4,

32

REPORTS ON THE STATE OE THE NATIVES AT

E.M. Williams, Esq. ■ —continued.

Listen, my people, to the word which proceeded from the humble mind of your son and your relative. Should this notice reach you, lose no time in determining upon some one for the Eunanga, lest it fall to the lot of smaller tribes to nominate our man. Eather let him be returned by all Ngapuhi. This would be correct. Should you not agree to nominate to the Assembly some person from the Northern portion of this Island, I shall leave the Native Land Court, and take to this work myself —yet not without the consent of all the people. These arc all the words addressed to you by your loving friend, Hojte Mou i Tawhai. Waima, Hokianga, January 28th, 1868.

APPENDIX G. When on a visit on one occasion to Marsh Brown's, at Waiomio, the conversation during the evening turned upon the restriction placed upon the sale of ammunition to the Maoris. One of the Natives present asked how long this restriction was to bo continued, and if the Government supposed that such restrictions effectually prevented the Maoris from obtaining both arms and ammunition. " What is it," asked another, " that the Government are afraid of? Are they apprehensive that Ngapuhi will rise against the Pakeha ? If so, I can assure them that the Natives have plenty of guns, powder, and ball, for any such purjiose. But if such were thought of, these would not be used. Guns sometimes make too much noise, and might give warning. The Pakeha is entirely in our power ; and if we really intended mischief, we have only to arrange our plans, and at some given signal the tomahawk could silently perform its work, and rid us in one night of every Pakeha in the district. But Ngapuhi do not entertain any such evil thoughts; we wish to live in peace, and only ask for ammunition for sporting purposes. Kingi Hori Kira, an influential chief in the district, once asked the question why they might not bo allowed to purchase ammunition. " I can obtain it," he said, " notwithstanding restrictions, for there are Pakehas who will sell; but Ido not wish to be always like a rat, nibbling in holes and dark corners —I would like to be able to procure it openly."

No. 14. KAIPAEA. Eeport from J. Eog.vx, Esq., Eesident Magistrate, Kaipara. The circular letter numbered and dated in the margin having been received while I was absent from Kaipara on duties connected with the Native Land Court, in the Manawatu district, and as a disturbance has arisen in the meantime in Hokianga, I was desirous of returning to this place to ascertain the disposition of the Kaipara tribes regarding the recent outbreak before submitting a reply to Mr. Eolleston's letter above referred to. I have now the honor to forward the following remarks for the information of His Excellency the Governor. About twelve years ago a Government officer was first stationed on the Wairoa Eiver in consequence of ships entering the harbour occasionally for kauri spars and timber, which was supplied by Messrs. Atkins and Walton, who were then the chief settlers in the district. As this trade enhanced the value of the extensive kauri forests, the original proprietors of Te Wairoa —Te Ngatiwhatua and Uriohau —disputed the right of Tirarau, of Ngapuhi, who assisted in conquering this district, to a portion of the land ; both parties took to arms, but were prevented from coming to a collision by a proposal from the then Governor, Colonel T. G. Brownie, to come to Auckland, and endeavour to settle the boundaries of their land without bloodshed. The Natives accepted this proposal, and the Government, at considerable expense, entertained both parties in Auckland, when the chiefs debated their respective rights before the Chief Land Purchase Commissioner and others for a week or more, when a boundary between the tribes was proposed, which was not then agreed to absolutely by Tirarau. This district then became of some importance to the Provincial Government, as arrangements had been made for introducing immigrants from Nova Scotia and other places to colonize the country north of Auckland. Accordingly, in 1857, I was directed to proceed to Kaipara as District Commissioner, and succeeded in purchasing a large tract of land, amounting to about 300,000 acres, a great portion of which is now held under Crown Grants by the settlers, in conducting these negotiations it was found necessary to conciliate Te Tirarau, who was then more disposed to quarrel than his neighbours; but old age has now overcome his war spirit, and frequent intercourse between the parties has resulted in a reconciliation which is likely to endure hereafter. The land feud which caused the disturbance between Tirarau and the Natives from Mangakahia, which was settled by Sir George Grey, is distinct from the Wairoa question, as that dispute originated many years ago between the Ngapuhi tribes alone. The Native population of the district (excluding Orakci and the East Coast), may bo stated at 590, which may be relied upon as accurate, as I have taken a list of the Natives in each settlement from which the last census return was compiled. The number of Natives in this district, according to a return made by me ten years ago, amounted to about 600. Owing to the settlement of Europeans and the demand for kauri gum within the last few years, some of the Earawa tribe from Hokianga, and Te Aupouri, towards the North Cape, numbering 100 in all, have become residents in Kaipara (North), and have purchased land from the Provincial Government, which places them independent of the original proprietors of the district. These people form the working part of the community, and will in. all probability in the course of time outnumber the Native owners of the soil, who are indolent and decreasing in numbers every year. According to the above statement, it will be seen that in the space of ten years the original occu-

J. Eogan, Esq.