BEFORE THE WAIKATO COMMITTEE.

F—No. 3

407. When did you first become acquainted with the growing feeling of hostility to Mr. Fenton's : proceedings ?—lt was, I think, very soon after Mr. Fenton's appointment. 408. That was in June, 1857, was it not?—lt was. 409. At that time you were acting as Native Secretary during Mr. McLean's absence, were you not ?—Mr. McLean was in Auckland at that time. 410. When did Mr. McLean leave Auckland, and how long did he remain away?—■ I believe Mr. McLean left Auckland early in June, and returned in August. He was again absent, leaving Auckland towards the end of December, and returning in the beginning of May, 1858. During his absence I acted as Native Secretary. 411. You have said that the opposition manifested itself soon after Mr. Fenton's appointment; can you fix the period more precisely ?—I think I became aware of it in August, 1857. 412. Mr. Fenton was withdrawn towards the end of 1858, was he not ?—Yes. 413. How did you become aware of this opposition? —The circumstance, I recollect, was in connexion with the application to Government for grass seeds. 414. Will you state the circumstance ?—Mr. Fenton applied for grass seeds, and I subsequently heard that some of the Natives of Waikato very much objected to the proposal to sow their lands held in common with grass seed, and to introduce sheep into the district; and they were under the impression that Government intended to supply the Queen's party with seed, and to give them sheep. There was a letter addressed to the Native Secretary's Office on the subject. 415. Will you allow the Committee to see it ? —I will read portions of it to the Committee, but I do not think I should be justified in allowing the original to be handed in to the Committee. 416. What is the date of that letter ?—l2th November, 1857. 417. To whom is it addressed ? —To the Governor and Mr. McLean ; it is written by a Native chief, named Patena. 418. Was it forwarded to the Native Minister with any minute upon it ?—lt was. 419. Would you be good enough to read that minute ?—That would be the same as handing over the original document. I must obtain the authority of the Governor before I can do that. 420. Have you asked the Governor to give you authority to shew any original documents I —l have not. 421. Would you be good enough to ask such permission ?—I think the proper course would be for the Committee to apply, through the Colonial Secretary, for any documents they require. 422. Do I understand you then, that pending this authority, you decline to answer the former question ? —Yes. 423. Was this the first letter of complaint on the subject ?—As far as I am aware it was. 424. Would you be kind enough to read the letters ?—I will. [Extract of letter read.] 425. I understand that to be the first letter of complaint relative to grass seeds ?—Yes ; it does not touch on the seed, but the sheep. 426. Flave you any other letters about the grass seed ?—I have, 427. Will you read them consecutively, giving dates? —Yes. [Certain extracts ivere then read'] 1. Hori Te Paki, Ruihana, Rawiri, and all NgauNgau, July 31st, 1857. 2. Ta Kerei Te Rau, August sth, 1857. 3. Wiremu Te Wheoro and others, date 31st July, 1857. 4. Waata Kukutai, 6th April, 1858. 5. Ti Oriori, June 2nd, 1858. 6. Hetaraka, October 22nd, 1858. 428. As regards personal communication from Natives on subject of grass seeds, have you any .record of them ?—I have not. 429. Were they numerous ?—I have no recollection of any. 430. I understand that, as far as your knowledge goes, all the communications from the Natives, respecting grass seeds, are confined to the letters from which you have read extracts ?-. —I believe so, with one exception. I have a slight recollection that Hetaraka mentioned a wish to have grass seed when in Auckland. 431. The only indication of complaint then, so far as you know, is that letter of Potatau's, respecting the introduction of sheep ?—That was the only written complaint. 432. As to oral complaints are you aware of any ?—1 believe there were several. 433. To whom made ?—I believe to Mr. McLean, 434. When did you first hear of them ?—I heard of them at the time of Mr. McLean's return, in August, 1857. 435. Had Mr. McLean been down to Waikato then ?—No, he had not. 436. Do you know the nature of the complaints made to Mr. McLean ? —They complained that it was proposed to introduce sheep into the district. 437. Who were the complainants ?—I cannot give their names ; they supposed that Government were going to introduce sheep. 438. Will you explain now, clearly, what the opposition was ?—I understood that the Natives had received the impression that what they called the Queen's party were to be assisted by Government in introducing sheep into the district. 439. Did the Native Office take any, and what, steps to counteract that impression ?—I cannot speak from my own knowledge as to what passed between Mr, McLean and the Natives ; I do not, of my own knowledge, know that any steps were taken.

T. 11. Smith, Esq 8 Oct, 1860.

27