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available, Mr. Fenton. A list of the present assessors is absolutely necessary, and some addition to the number will probably be required in order to include persons who would otherwise use their influence in opposition to the Government. They should be divided into three classes, two of whom only should be paid ; the second class receiving but a very small amount, but having a prospect of removal to the higher one. The Magistrate should hold a session on certain days in the month at each settlement, and should then be assisted by the assessors of the district. The chief assessors should receive two police batons each which they might entrust to the constable whose duty it may be to act under their instructions. The constable receiving the staff to be paid specially for the duty performed but not to receive a salary. Fines to be accounted for to the Government. The power of issuing Bush Licenses has been abused and ought to rest absolutely with the Governor. Europeans choosing to reside in Native districts ought to be required to obtain a permit for so doing, to be renewed every two years, or on change of residence. It appears that this may be done under an Ordinance Title in force. The Arms and Ammunition Ordinance might be so far relaxed as to permit the sale of gunpowder and shot by licensed persons who should be required to make a return of the quantities sold and tho persons purchasing it with their place of residence. A further relaxation might be combined with another measure which appears to the Governor _very advisable ; viz., the enrollment of a Native militia, not to be called out unless unforeseen circumstances should arise, but framed on the model of our own Militia, all composing it being Natives with exception of the Lieutenant-Colonel. Men belonging to the Militia might be permitted to have registered arms of whatever description they like. Finally some steps should be taken to prevent Natives from involving themselves inextricably in debt to Europeans, which is often a cause of much trouble to the Government. T. Gore Browne. Government House, 28th April, 1857. A paper is attached which was presented to the Governor while visiting the Waikato by some Chiefs of the Ngatimahuta of Whakapaku.

MEMORANDUM. May 6th, 1857. With reference to your Excellency's late Memorandum on Native Affairs, dated 28th April, 1857, we, the Eesponsible Advisers of the Crown in New Zealand, have the honour to indicate our views on the general subject treated of by that Memorandum; views which, it will be seen, are generally coincident with those taken by your Excellency. 2. That an important crisis in the relations of the Native Race with the British Government is now occurring, is a fact recognized by all who have any acquaintenance with Native affairs. 3. The peculiar feature of the time is the tendency to self-oiganization, now being exhibited by a large section of the Maori people. The numerous meetings in course of being held throughout the country ; the recent attempts at legislation which have taken place at the Villages of the Waikato Tribes, and the agitation for the appointment of a Native King, are the signs of this movement. 4. With some amongst the Natives there is reason to think that social organization is sought chiefly, if not wholly, as a means to the ulterior end of counteracting the growing predominance of the European, preventing the further alienation of territory, and maintaining the national independence. Another class appears purely to desire the establishment of law and order, and to be at the same time sensible that this benefit is only to be attained by the co-operation of the British Government. Between these extremes there are probably many shades of opinion. 5. There is, however, little reason to doubt that, should the British Government wisely and timely afford its countenance to the establishment amongst the Maories of civil institutions suited to their wants, the mere loyal and intelligent opinion will speedily become prevalent. 6. As to the ultimate end to which the British Government in these Islands is bound to shape its Native policy, there can be no difference of opinion. Successive Governors have promised, in the name of the British Crown, that the Colonists and the Maories should form but one people, under one equal law; and no effort must be spared to redeem this pledge. 7. The difficulties in the way of the fulfilment of that engagement are, however, immense; it being an essential condition that the Natives themselves should be capable of, and consenting to, the promised union; and it is no disparagement to the efforts of former Governments to declare that there has, as yet, been made no sensible advance towards such a consummation. 8. Hitherto the dominant political ideas in the treatment of the Natives have been, that they should for the present be left politically to themselves; and that their own advancing civilization, consequent upon the efforts made for their individual improvement, and upon their extending intercouse with Europeans, would gradually but surely lead to their voluntary adoption of British Law, grounded upon practical experience of its superiority to their own usages. 9. In accordance with these ideas, no attempt has been made to extend to Native Districts a social organization suited to their actual condition. Indeed, special legislation of this kind has by some "been reprobated as inconsistent with the promise of the Natives of a national unity with the British Settlers;