G.—3

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decisive measures to prevent a recurrence of such proceedings; but in New Zealand, where the dangers are far greater, we find such persons have hitherto been placed in positions of public trust. Nor were these the greatest difficulties we had to contend against. The late Native Minister himself told me that the Government did not want us to open Mokau, and it is a somewhat remarkable fact that, when the late Premier was telling the public of New Plymouth a short time ago of his earnest desire to have seen Mokau opened, and the great anxieties with which himself and his colleagues watched the experiment of the settlement from the first, the Mokau settlers were in possession of an official telegram, written during the last recess, telling them that the Government would not countenance the opening of Mokau by Europeans in any way whatever, and that they would not permit any licensed interpreter in their employ to translate for the Mokau settlers. What chance, I ask you, had we of opening the country against such handicapping as this ? And, I assure you, we felt these things very severely, coming, as we did, from a country where a pioneer receives the best countenance and support his fellows can give him. We received good wishes from some of the settlers here, but they could not assist us much. The respected Mayor of New Plymouth, Mr. Standish, at great personal inconvenience, gave us all the assistance in his power, but even he was unable to obtain the countenance of Government, notwithstanding his presence at Wellington, until the Grey Government came into power. The late Government appeared to be wanting in the ability to cope with such a great question; their influence with the Natives was below zero. In February last Sir George Grey and Sir. Sheehan came here to see for themselves ; the result was that the head people of Mokau, who had been secluded for many years, all came out to meet them ; and, as a further satisfactory result, we are now witnessing the two races united. I was compelled to tell Mr. Sheehan of our difficulties, and in reply he told me to communicate our wishes direct to him. I did so, and our representations have been attended to, and I hope the Government may never have reason to be deceived by any suggestions that we may be able, in our humble endeavours, to offer. There is another reason that gives the honorable Ministers here present the entire confidence of the Maori people. Their fingers are not tainted with the purchase of Maori land ; and the name of Mr. Sheehan will be blessed by posterity for having put down with an iron hand the practice followed by Native officials of purchasing Native land for their own aggrandizement. If I were asked for an opinion, I should say it was the duty of Parliament to confiscate to Her Majesty every inch of land so obtained by Native officials. I consider the practice, and the wealth thereby obtained, to be most unrighteous ; and it is proverbial as having been productive of much evil in this Island. I fear lam detaining you too long. I will only express the hope that all classes will now let bygones go; it is for the interest of both races that we should now work together. I agree with a sensible remark that appeared in the Taranaki Herald during the past week. It was this : That any troubles in future would be of our own making. As Mr. Jones was finishing his speech a storm arose, which caused the company to break up ; and at about 3.30 p.m. Sir George Grey and the Ministerial party left for town. The little engine, which is almost useless, broke down on its way to town, and considerable delay was thereby caused. Sir George Grey and suite took their departure at about 5 p.m. in the " Hinemoa," the Hon. Mr. Sheehan remaining to go to Wellington by way of way of Waimate Plains, in order to see Titokowaru and his people to make final arrangements in connection with the survey of the plains. After the Ministerial party had left Waitara the Natives danced a war-dance. As the Volunteer Band has remained at Waitara, a ball will be given to the Natives in Pennington's large room. Although the publichouses have not been closed, nor any restraint in the supply of liquors to the Natives, there has not been any disturbance since they have arrived, and there must be over twelve hundred there. [From the New Zealauder, 4th July, 1878.] THE NATIVE MEETING- AT WAITARA. (By Telegraph. From our Special Correspondent.) Waitara, 2nd July. These is nothing more actually to report in connection with the Native meeting, but the series of my letters may be appropriately brought to a conclusion by a few remarks on miscellaneous topics. Whi/ Native Meetings are necessary. —Some people may be inclined to think that such meetings as those which have been held at Whakaroroe, Hikurangi, and Waitara are very clumsy, and that really very little is done at them. The holding of such meetings is, however, the best proof that Natives are inclined to make peace. The fact that Sir George Grey and Mr. Sheehan give themselves such infinite trouble over them shows the importance they attach to these events. I may also cite the testimony of one of the best authorities on the race (Mr. Parris, late Civil Commissioner of thia district). In a report in April, 1868, Mr. Parris referred to the Native feuds which had prevailed on the subject of land-selling, and said, "This state of things produced a very unhappy feeling of enmity between the two factions, which lasted fourteen years, and to which they have now for the last six months been turning their attention for the purpose of establishing friendly relations with all the tribes through the province by convening large meetings and giving great feasts, in accordance with their old customs, for the settlement of past differences." The process is a very slow one, but they know of no other, and it is useless to recommend any other to them. That the Natives have received the Premier and Native Minister at great meetings shows that they are desirous for peaceful relations, and the fact that Sir George and Mr. Sheehan have devoted much labour and patience to them proves that they consider there is no other means of making a permanent peace. Bewi. —All the Europeans here have been much gratified with the demeanour throughout these proceedings of Eewi Maniopoto. He has always been dignified and courteous. It is quite evident that, above all things, he desires peace between his people and the Europeans. When he refers to the Waitara quarrel, which set the Island in a flame, it is to regret that what was at first proposed was not acceded to by Maoris and Europeans—namely, to let the question be settled by some impartial tribunal. He referred with pride to the fact, a most extraordinary fact indeed, that in three years the Maoris embraced Christianity, and cherished the faith of Europeans who had come amongst them, and no stronger proof could Eewi give of his desire for amity on all occasions than his declaration that he wished again to lift up amongst the Maoris the faith introduced by the missionaries. It may be