A.—No. 4.

The arrival of Te Rangihiroa and the rapid spread of Hauhauism led to the removal of the Colonial Defence Force from Featherston to Masterton. This, with the proceedings of Mr. Dudley Ward during a visit here as Agent of the Government, and the circulation of the Proclamation before referred to, produced once more apprehension of attack amongst the Native kingites, or, as they were now called, Hauhaus, and they again left the valley and concentrated in their strongholds on the hills. "Wi Tako, of Waikanae, visited them, and urged them to abandon their fanaticism; but, although as a leading member of the King party he had formerly exercised very considerable influence here, his exhortations were unheeded. In June, 1865, Ngairo, accompanied by Wi Waka and a party of about twenty, at the request of Te Ua and Wi Hapi, left this district for the scene of hostilities on the West Coast. During his absence the Hauhau party here divided into two sections, one attaching themselves to Karauria Ngawhara, who, acting upon a supposed Divine revelation, was appointed king, the other recognizing Ngairo as their leader. lam not aware of any theological difference between these sections, but they still continue distinct. The fanatical excitement of the people for the first few months of their acceptance of Hauhauism was accompanied by the most revolting excesses. Happily that stage has passed, and their religious ceremonies are now performed in comparative order. The extent of the delusion under which they laboured may be learnt from the fact, that, on the assertion, of a so-called prophetess that food would spring spontaneously as manna fell from heaven, they neglected for one season to plant ordinary crops. In March, 1866, Wi Waka and some other,] of those who had accompanied Ngairo to the West Coast returned, after having been engaged with the troops. In order to protect them from apprehension as rebels against the Queen's forces a very strong position at Kohikutu was fortified. The erection of the fortification, and a report that Ngairo was about to return with a large body of men, caused new excitement, which was quieted by Waka surrendering himself in July, when, after an interview with the Hon. the Minister for Defence (Colonel Haultain), he was permitted to take the oath of allegiance, and return to this district. Ngairo, finding that his forerunner Waka had been pardoned, returned on the 15th September, accompanied by Wi Hapi, of Ngatiraukawa, aud eighty followers. As showing the party, even after their defeat on the West Coast, I will mention that, at an interview I had on that occasion with Hapi, he used the following words : —■' Do not deceive yourself, the war is not over: the land is gone, but the people live, and while the people live there will be war for ever." Hapi was afterwards invited to visit vai'ious parts of this district, and he did so, accompanied by his armed followers: they committed no actual breach of the peace, and were allowed to travel without interference, except that they were forbidden to pass through the townships, a restriction which they respected. Hapi left the district on the 16th November, 1866, for Manawatu, shortly after the receipt of information of the destruction of Bangihiroa's followers at Napier. After the departure of Hapi, no event of any importance occurred until the 25th March, 1867, •when Ngairo surrendered himself, and at an interview with His Excellency the Governor was allowed, to take the oath of allegiance. Since then the security of the district has been unaffected by any political action on the part of Natives. The present Native population of this district is about as follows : — 350 adult males 250 ~ females 150 children, males 100 „ females making the total ... ... ... 850 This estimate is based upon a nominal list prepared by me in December, 1864, and upon my estimate of the population in 1865, when I made it 925. The decrease is attributable to the small number of births. Ten men of this district were killed fighting with the rebels on the West Coast and at Napier. The general feeling between the two races in this district is at present satisfactory. It is worth remarking that during the past eight years no Native has been charged with personal violence against an European; that convictions for theft have been very rare, and in each case during the last two years obedience to the law has been readily rendered. The physical and moral condition of the Native race in this district has, I believe, considerably deteriorated during the past ten years. Venereal diseases and others connected with them are very common —the energies of the people are ill-directed —the young of the race are growing up entirely uneducated and untrained, while the vice of drunkenness is unfortunately prevalent among old and young. Their social habits arc, in my opinion, of a lower character than when in a more savage state; they have lost a great deal of the energy which they formerly displayed, and have acquired little else than the vices of civilization. Hauhauism as a religious system seems to me to be rapidly losing its hold upon the people; its effect has been to demoralise, and its ultimate tendency is to degrade them still lower. It is, however, a bond of union which may be turned to political account, and is nourished as such. Judging by my observation here, I believe the Maoris, as a people, arc so depressed by the want of success met with by the rebels in the late campaigns, that I do not believe they will ever again attempt a war on a large scale with our forces. The removal of the troops has not, in my opinion, increased their confidence in their own strength, and they look to steps being taken for the suppression of outbreaks as a matter of course. I anticipate a succession of local insurrections consequent upon the confiscation of land, but no combined action against the authority of the Crown. So far as the peace of this district is concerned, I feel all cause of anxiety is at an end —the present organization and numerical strength of the European population would render any hostile attempt on the part of the Natives futile. The working of the Court established by recent Legislation for the investigation of title to Native lands has not given satisfaction here. Natives complain that the rules of the Court are too complicated

H. Wardell, Eaq, couliuued.

35

THE TIME OE SIR G. E. BOWEN'S ARRIVAL.