IN NATIVE DISTRICTS.

F.—No. 6.

5

original home of the whole tribe), including Titiraupenga district on one side of Waikato, and Patetere Plains on the other. A considerable number of the same tribe are located on the West Coast, about Kapiti, having taken possession of some country and settled down there during the disturbed times that followed the introduction of fire-arms ; and, through having been located in a district which was early settled by the Europeans, this portion of the tribe has become more civilized than their brethren in the interior, who, from their isolated position, are deprived of the benefits derivable from easy communication, and the example set by industrious Europeans. Accordingly, from the commencement of the war to the present time, the Maungatautari Ngatiraukawa have taken an active part against the Government, and have been thorough supporters of the King party, forbidding roads being made through their lands, and shutting themselves out from all communication with Europeans. From tho important position these people possess in tho centre of the Island, holding as it were the key of the inland communication, it was of the greatest importance for the carrying out of any systematic scheme of road work, such as is now initiated, for connecting the different settlements and developing the resources of the country, that this obstacle should be overcome; but from the disturbed state of the country, the mistrust felt by many from long isolation, and other causes, some time elapsed before any of the leading chiefs openly expressed a desire to meet for the purpose of tendering their submission ; although it is now palpable they have been watching with the greatest interest for some time (with that object in view) the changes going on in the Taupo district. On my previous visit to Taupo, in October, 1870, a number of Ngatiraukawa, including Te Paerala and other chiefs, came to Tapuaeharuru by appointment, with whom I held a meeting, the result of which is shown in my report of October, and the conclusions I then arrived at respecting these people have, lam happy to say, been fulfilled. The late murder in Waikato has hastened their decision to abandon the King and Hauhau party. On the morning of the 23rd of January, I met Maihi Te Ngaru, Hori Ngawharc, and their followers, with Tukorehu, Mamao, and some Ngatituwharetoa chiefs, in number about eighty, at Tuparahaki, some fourteen miles north of Tapuaeharuru. I was acecompanied by Poihipi, Hohepa, and other Taupo chiefs. The meeting was opened by Hohepa Tamamutu giving a short history of the disturbances that had taken place in tho country, blaming the parties with whom they (the Ngatiraukawa) had taken part as the cause. Poihipi Tukairangi then spoke somewhat in the same strain, urging all parties to be open in their statements. He was followed by Tukorehu Mamao, a Ngatituwharetoa chief, formerly of Tauranga, Taupo, who sided with the King and Hauhau party. He said that he and his people were sincere in their intentions ; that they had been led away, but were now fully convinced that the course they had taken was a wrong one, and they had undergone so much that there was no fear of their ever desiring to leave their homes or committing themselves again. After a few others of less note had spoken, Hori Ngawhare, of Te Waotu, who, excepting perhaps Maihi Te Ngaru, is the head chief of Ngatiraukawa of Waikato, then spoke. The principal part of his speech was composed of songs and hakas, but all purporting that he and his tribe had entirely abandoned the King party and all idea of opposing the Government. Then followed Maihi Te Ngaru, an old man, but still possessed of great energy and considerable flow of speech, being looked upon by his own people as one of the few remaining orators of the old school. Nearly the whole of his speech was composed of songs and chants. He gave a history of their troubles from the commencement of the King movement, stating that he had been greatly instrumental in electing a Maori king, in fact had been named as one of tho candidates to the office. He charged the Taupo people with having deserted the cause, and recounted many of the narrow escapes he had had during tho Waikato war ; and wound up by declaring he had decided on leaving the King party entirely, apparently considering they had descended to commit deeds which degraded them as a people. I then addressed them, stating I had listened to their speeches, which appeared to be satisfactory. They professed to have entirely abandoned the King and Hauhauism, which meant they had abandoned that section of the people whose object was to obstruct the advancement of the country in peace and prosperity. That all well-thinking men would do so in time. That the Government desired to see the troubles, that had disturbed the country so long, at an end, and that all parties should assist in accomplishing that object. That they should consider well what they were doing, and act straightforwardly, &c, &c, —and ended by asking Hori and Maihi to come to Napier with me, to communicate with the Government. The whole of the Ngatiraukawa then unanimously declared that they had abandoned the King and Hauhauism, and would no longer obstruct road-making or sympathize with those who murdered Todd, and the meeting closed. Maihi and a few others are on their way to Napier; Hori, not being able to ride so far, has returned home to Waotu. After some further conversation, arranging for their coming to Napier, and settling other matters requiring adjustment in tho district, I returned to Tapuaeharuru. I then visited Tokanu, but finding that Hare Tauteka and the greater part of his followers had left for Napier by way of Patea, I returned to town, arriving here on Saturday evening. It is needless to comment on the advantages accruing to the country through the powerful Ngatiraukawa having abandoned their past unfriendly attitude, throwing open, as it does, the fertile district bordering on the Waikato River, including the Patetere Plains, between Taupo and Cambridge, and allowing, with judicious management, the main line of road from North to South being completed ; not to mention the importance, in a political point of view, in circumscribing the limits of the disaffected portion of the Island. I have, &c, His Honor J. D. Ormond, S. Locke, General Government Agent, Napier. Resident Magistrate. 2