A.—No. 1

80

DESPATCHES FROM THE GOVERNOR OF NEW

All the Europeans stood up, and applauded heartily; and when the cheering had subsided, the five Maoris rose in succession, and returned thanks, in the English fashion, with the natural fluency, humour, and eloquence of their race. A more cordial feeling could not have been exhibited by English and Russian officers meeting at the close of the Crimean Avar, than was exhibited at Tauranga by the Military Settlers and the Maoris, who four years ago had been arrayed in arms against each other. The many high qualities of the Maoris prevent Englishmen from regarding these "foemen worthy of their steel," with that mingled contempt and dislike with Avhich our countrymen unfortunately too often regard the dark-skinned races in other parts of the British Empire. 3. From Tauranga I proceeded to Maketu, where I was received by* a large assemblage of the Arawas, Avho fought gallantly for the CroAvn throughout the Avar, and who are now much harassed in consequence by the Hauhaus and by the wild tribe of the UreAveras, which holds the neighbouring mountains. After Avitnessing the customary Avar dance (which w ras admirably performed at Maketu), and listening to addresses from the principal Arawa chiefs, I replied in a speech of which the substance Avill be found in the annexed report. I explained that, owing to the near approach of the Session of the Colonial Parliament at Wellington, I was unable at that time to visit the hot lakes and springs (resembling the Geysers of Iceland) in tho country of the Arawras, but that I hoped to return next summer, and then to tra\"el thither over the road AA rhich they had made by their own labour, in expectation of the proposed visit of the Duke of Edinburgh. I added that I had acquainted the Imperial Government and His Royal Highness with this proof of the devotion of their tribe, and that I Avas confident that it Avould be graciously acknowledged. Like the Ngapuhis and other loyal tribes, the Arawas expressed, through their leading warriors, unbounded indignation at the attempt to assassinate the " Queen's Son," and entreated "to be led against the Fenians." 4. After this Maori horero (a ceremony corresponding somewhat to the durbars of British India) I visited the pa or fortified village of Maketu, and the ivhares or dwellings of the principal chiefs. I then inspected the school for their children which has been established by the Arawas, assisted by the Colonial Government, under the provisions of the " Act to regulate and provide subsidies for Maori schools." Though this school had been open for only seven months, and the teaching is entirely in English —the master being a former Corporal of the 12th Regiment,—l found the Maori children quite as proficient in reading, writing, arithmetic, and in the other branches of primary education, as English children of the same age, and under similar circumstances, would be. It was very gratifying to observe the intelligent interest evidently taken in the examination by the Managing Committee of fourteen Maoris, who were all present. No efforts will be w ranting on the part of the Colonial Government, to extend an efficient system of schools throughout the Native districts. 5. After leaving Maketu, I visited Opotiki, also in the Bay of Plenty, as if was named by Captain Cook. Opotiki was the scene of the cruel murder in 1865, of the Rev. C. S. Volkner (the resident Church of England Missionary), by tho fanatical Hauhaus, under the prophet Kereopa, who devoured a portion of the body of his victim. To punish this and other similar atrocities (including the murder of Mr. Fulloon and his crew), an expedition of Colonial Militia and friendly Natives was organized. This force was completely successful, routing the Hauhaus on every point, and seizing many of the ringleaders in the abovementioned barbarous outrages. These prisoners were afterwards tried before the Supreme Court of Ncav Zealand, and five of those condemned to death Avere executed ; while the sentences of the remainder were commuted to various terms of penal servitude. A portion of their land Avas confiscated; and the township of Opotiki, with the fertile plain surrounding it, was allotted to Military Settlers. Owing to the frequent incursions of the Hauhaus and Ureweras, it is still found necessary to maintain about eighty of these settlers on permanent pay, and to station them in two block-houses, commanding the entrance of the passes leading from the mountains into the plain. Attended by a small escort of Volunteer Cavalry I rode over the confiscated land, which, wdien law and order shall have

Enclosure No. 1

No. 41 of 18G7