chose to have him; the shadowy words nsed in the October dispatch being there converted into express declaration. We asked whether supposing Parliament were asked to pass an Act for such a recognition, Lord Granville was prepared to insert clauses not merely for the Waikato men, but authorising the recognition of similar "maori authority" in other parts of the N. island. If so, in what districts, under what conditions, and with what securities to the English colonists? If not, why an exceptional grant to Waikato? And so on. He had a touch of the gout, and I am afraid wished us anywhere but in his room: yet it would be unfair not to mention his studied courtesy and civility. He seemed to have had an idea, from the guarded way we spoke a first, that we really meant to propound some scheme of recognition, and (unless I am much mistaken) they all seemed to snatch at it; but when they saw our drift Lord Granville told us with a little asperity that we seemed only to have raised the question in order to argue against it. We said plainly, that such a recognition of Maori authority as (until lately at any rate) the King required would never be granted by the Assembly; that it would be an outrage on our allies and all the neutral tribes; and that however it might suit the writers of a dispatch to suggest such a thing, they would themselves find it just as impracticable as ourselves to give the suggestion practical effect. It would take volumes to give you any idea of the talks we have had with people of allsorts, highest as well as nobodies. But we have been complimented on speaking very temperately and quietly, and there are many people most anxious to serve us. Chief among these is Lord Carnarvon. I cannot tell you ow he has behaved to us; what interest and sense of responsibility he feels. Of course he tells us we