FURTHER PAPERS RELATIVE

We have for many years past lived under the peace securing principles of religion, and have upheld your laws. Your Governor, Sir George Grey, waged war with the Native race, and severely punished—lit beat down their offences, but we did not grieve on account of that punishment, because it was right according to the law. Peace was afterwards made, the Europeans and Natives lived in harmony until Governor Grey returned to England. But this Governor, Governor Browne, did not follow up those good and loving measures toward the Natives, hence arose a feeling condemnatory of the policy pursued by the Government in one end of New Zealand. Even now he has unwarrantably proceeded to take possession of the land of a certain Native Chief at Taranaki named Wiremu Kingi. The Governor purchased it from a Native named Te Teira ; he has fought about that land and fired upon the people of that place. They were loving subjects of yours. Their object was not to trample upon the law but rather to retain possession of the law which was handed down to them by their ancestors and by their father. They did not wish to sell that land. This unwarrantable (pokanoa, a thing done of one's own accord) proceeding of this Governor has occasioned grief and confusion to all of us, because we know that this system is not yours—this taking away without cause of the land of any person or of the orphan and widow. Wherefore we your loving children cry to you and pray that you will remove this Governor, lest he remains to promote evil in our island. Do you send us a Governor who is competent properly to carry out your measures that we and the Europeans may live peaceable together, and in attachment to you. And we will ever pray that your Sovereignty may increase.

Enclosure 3 in No. 2. MR, TURTON TO GOVERNOR GORE BROWNE, C.B. Office Native Affairs, Wellington, May 12th, 1860, Sir,— In reference to the Petition from Otaki, I have been frequently credibly informed by Europeans residing on that coast, that the Natives on their return from the meeting, made no secret whatever as to the memorial having been originated by Archdeacon Hadfield. On the 31st .March, I myself reached Manawatu, and there had a long conversation with the head chief, (Ihakara) who had only that evening returned from Otaki, where the so called Petition had just been manufactured. This conversation was held in the hearing of two gentlemen, and other witnesses, all of whom understand the Native language. Ihakara informed us that he had had an interview with Mr. Hadfield before the signing of the Petition, who acknowledged to having advised the procedure, but did not wish his name to be mentioned in connexion with it—that the work was really done by him and his assistant, Riwai, the catechist; but that Mr. Hadfield did not attend the meeting, so that it might appear to the English residents as the spontaneous act of the Natives—that the signatures of those present were written down off hand, without much reference to the parties—that the names of absentees, &c, were entered without any reference at all—and that his own name and those of many others of Manawatu were actually affixed under protest. He did not say whether any of the signatures were those of women or children; but lie did say that Mr. Hadfield had told the people that a new system was being introduced—that their lands were now in danger, and that it was time for them to move in their own behalf; also, that his remarks on Your Excellency and the Government were very severe and contumacious. In reference to this said Petition, I have to remark that the signatures were urged on at the meeting, so that the document might be sent home direct by the next mail from Wellington to Melbourne. On the 3rd of April, I demanded a copy of it for transmission to Your Excellency;— this was refused; and therefore I came on to AVaikanae, without calling at Otaki, after having explained to them the deceit, the cowardice, and the dishonorableness of such secret conduct. But for this, I do not think Your Excellency would have seen a copy of that disgraceful paper, save perhaps on its return from London. I have, &c, (Signedj Henry H. Turtoi(, R.M., Visiting AVellington Province. His Excellency Colonel T. Gore Browne, C.B. Enclosure 4 in No. 2. MR. SEARANCK.E TO NATIVE SECRETARY. 13th April, 1860. On Wednesday evening, Ihakara, with about ten of his friends, also arrived at Otaki, proceeding directly from Mauawatu,

Enclosure 4 in No. 2. MR. SEARANCK.E TO NATIVE SECRETARY. 13th April, 1860. Oα Wednesday evening, Ihakara, with about ten of his friends, also arrived at Otaki, proceeding directly from Mauawatu.

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