G.—2. (Appendix A.)

Minute by Hon. Mr. Gisborne. This should be referred to Hon. Mr. McLean. It proves to me the vital importance of his immediate presence on the West Coast, to settle the Native question there; connected as it is with peace or war, the relations to each other of both races, the utilization of disputed land, and the colonization of the district. However necessary at first (and I believe it was necessary) the action of the Government may have been in reference to the districts south and north of the Waingongoro, the march of events renders it absolutely indispensable that the Government should now take a further definite course, to prevent complications, to consolidate the present tranquillity, and to secure the future peaceful settlement of the country. The anomalous position of the Natives in respect of land, of ourselves, and of each other ; the uncomfortable attitude of Titokowaru; tho paralysis of settlement on account of the unsettled land questions; tho exceptional state of the district south of Waingongoro, complicated by the future claims of Taurua's tribe now imprisoned in Otago ; all these are elements of discord which cannot with safety any longer be ignored, and must be peacefully settled without delay. It would be well worth while for the colony to incur what might otherwise appear a large expenditure, in the purchase of land claims and the settlement of these questions at once ; for the consequence of delay may be disaster and war, and will certainly not be, in my opinion, the means of any easier settlement. 1 believe Mr. McLean fully realizes the importance of this matter, and I trust that he will be able to take it in hand in the course of next month (May). The resolutions of the Board, though perhaps dogmatically worded, point, in my belief, to serious and, if neglected, to imminent clanger. In another letter Mr. Parris reports that a Native road-party south of Waingongoro complained that some of the Natives comprising it had been threatened by Europeans. 10th April, 1871. W. Gisborne. Minute by Hon. Mr. Sewell. Mt opinion coincides generally with that of Mr. Gisborne. The primary object of the Government should be to re-establish tranquillity throughout the district; and this can only be done by overlooking as far as possible past acts of rebellion, unless these were accompanied with gross crimes, such as those of Te Kooti. I agree that the matter should be referred to Mr. McLean with a view to give effect to such a policy. 11th April, 1871. Henrt Sewell. Minute by Hon. Mr. Fox, Prime Minister. The circumstances of the two districts are very different, and the Government had very sufficient reasons for imposing the stringent restrictions in the district between Waingongoro and Waitotara. It had been almost entirely swept of its European population, which could only be induced to return on the distinct understanding that Natives would be excluded till it was sufficiently populous to make their return safe, and not productive of alarm ; and the result so far has justified the course pursued^ and been acquiesced in by the Natives. To adopt the suggestions of the Board, means to invite Titokowaru back to Ngutu-o-te-Manu, and to excite a feeling south of Waingongoro certain to lead to renewal of hostilities. Let well alone. 29th March, 1871. William Box.

No. 10. Telegram from Mr. Mackay and Mr. Blake to Hon. Mr. Sheehan on the subject of their Visit to Te Whiti at Parihaka.

Taranaki, 4th April, 1879. The following is a detailed account of proceedings of myself and Captain Blake at Parihaka. We arrived here at 5 p.m. on the Ist instant; were invited to talk the same evening, but declined until next morning. On the 2nd, the meeting commenced at 9 a.m. Te Whiti and party occupied an artificial terrace in front of his house; myself and several Natives being placed in the lower marae. Tohu arose and requested me to state the reason of my visit. I said : " Blake is related to yoUj and feels a desire to see you living in peace, and he asked the Government to allow him to mediate in the dispute between you and them about the Waimate Plains. He also desired my assistance, and the Government assented. I formerly was an officer of the Government, but am not in the service now. Therefore what I am about to say does not emanate from the Government, but from myself, and is merely suggestion on my part. If we receive any proposal from you we will submit it to the Government for their consideration. I have heard, Te Whiti, that your house is on fire, and therefore have come hero. Some people come to a fire as mere spectators, others to aid in extinguishing it; I have come to help to put out this fire. If it is stopped now, your house will be saved; if not, it will be destroyed. Tou and the Governor are not carvers of wood, but are tattooers of men's faces :if your work is not done artistically you disfigure a man for life, and every one derides your performance. If you carve a piece of wood badly you can chop it over, make a clean surface, and begin again. It therefore behoves you and the Governor, who deal with the lives of men, to be careful lest you make widows and orphans. I would advise you and the Governor not to launch your canoe in the days of 'Tawhiri Matea,' lest it be upset; but wait quietly for the calm weather of 'Buia and Whakapaewaka.' " At this stage of the proceedings Te Whiti invited us to ascend the terrace and sit in front of him, as he did not wish to lose anything that was said. We complied with his request. A mat was spread for us to sit on, immediately in front of Te Whiti and his principal mon, at a distance of 8 or 10 feet; the other Natives formed a circle round us. 2-G. 2 (App. A).

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