F—No. «a

IN NATIVE DISTRICTS.

9

be molested. Should you desire to go in search of the enemy, go through it, but do not interfere with my kaingas or cultivations. Ido not wish to hide from you my own feelings. If you go to fight with the King and I see he has justice on his side, I may assist him*; if he is in the wrong I will not assist him. But you must not ask me to assist you. I aud my people are tired of fighting ; let us remain at peace. Henare Te Pukuatua desired Eru Tamaikowha to lay aside the high tone he was assuming, and said that it was not because the Government were not able to destroy them that they did not do so ; that he had been himself into the centre of the Urewera country, and had severed tho neck of its inhabitants, and if he had had his way he would have remained there. But the Government were merciful, and wished to save the race. The Natives were a turbulent race :he himself sometimes went astray, and gave way to evil passions; but he knew that he was wrong, and his desire was to do that which was right. Henare then urged upon Tamaikowha to submit unconditionally, and give up his arms as a guarantee of his good intentions. Maihi Te Rangikaheke then followed, going over the same ground as the previous speakers. He boasted of his past deeds, and magnanimously stated that he did not wish to harass the Urewera any longer. He gave his opinion of the Waikato King party by saying that it was useless to cut away at the branches ; the only way of quieting the Island was by digging up the roots, then the branches would die of themselves. This speech of Maihi's directly aroused the Ngatipukeko, who stated that they were ready to go to fight whenever they should be called upon to do so. Mr. McLean replied generally to the speeches. lie told Hapurona Kohi and the Urewera generally, that ho was glad to see that they had taken good advice and come away from their country. That he wished them to come away for two reasons. One was to give a proof that they were sincere ; and the other was to leave the country open, that the search for the great cause of the trouble might, be pursued without interruption. Mr. McLean proceeded, stating that with regard to their request that they should have land in Whakatane, inquiry should be made, and, if it were possible, some arrangement should be made ; that they should have a supply of clothing, and also of food. 1 would here remark that the complaint of these surrendered Natives was not without reason. The land upon which they have been settled is not of the best quality —a great deal of it being sand, and the other part swampy. Many of the requests made by tho friendly Natives were satisfactorily settled. With regard to the statement that the surrendered rebels had not given up all their arms —one informant NepiaTokitahi was confronted with the Urewera, and a calculation made of all the arms that had fallen into their hands; but the general impression seemed to be, that instead of Te Kooti having given them arms, they had after his many discomfitures to supply him with rifles for his men. Several others of the Urewera chiefs, amongst whom were Hoani Paiaka, Te Ahikaiati, Hemi Kakitu, and Turi, addressed Mr. McLean, and expressed themselves as tired of the life they had beenleading, and a desire to live at peace with their neighbours. Late in the afternoon the meeting broke up, and Mr. McLean and party having returned to the " Luna," she steamed off to Te Awao-te-Atua, with the hopes of being able to communicate with the shore, and arrange about the disposition of Te Waru and others who had surrendered with him ; but tho surf was so high that it was impossible for a boat to live in it. A boat that was pulling out over the bar got swamped in the attempt. The Native Minister however handed over To Waru and his friends to the charge of Major Keepa, of the Tuhourangi, who was of our party. He promised to look after them and supply their wants. Late in the evening we left for Tauranga, where we arrived at 2 o'clock the following morning. I have, &c, The Under Secretary, Native Department, H. T. Claeke, Wellington. Civil Commissioner.

No. 5. The Hon. D. McLean to Mr. Clarke. Sir, — General Government Office, Auckland, Bth February, 1871. I have the honor to forward you a copy of a letter received from Captain Gundry by which you will see that he reports a want of tools among the surrendered Urewera. I must request you to have the goodness to inquire into the matter, and to send the necessary requisitions for the tools you may deem required by the Urewera. I have, &c, H. T. Clarke, Esq., Civil Commissioner, Tauranga. Donald McLean.

Enclosure in No. 5. Sub-Inspector Gundrt to Lieut.-Colonel Moule. Sir,— Te Teko, 26th January, 1871. I have the honor to forward enclosed application from several Urewera chiefs for agricultural implements; and also to inform you, for the information of the Hon. the Defence Minister, that the crops put in by the Urewera have failed, owing to the early part of the season being dry. They are complaining that the provisions issued to them are insufficient—only getting a little now and then—and are totally dependent on them, as they cannot get anything else at present. Tho remainder of the Urewera have heard this ; and the consequence is, that those who are desirous of coining in have hesitated, preferring to remain where they are, and live on the secoud growth of last year's crops of potatoes, and pigs to the uncertainty of getting sufficient rations here. I may say that they do not get a daily ration ; and between the intervals of issue of rations, they are wandering about over the country digging fern root, hunting for pigs, getting honey, &c. This has been a great source of trouble to me, 3