F—No 3

BEFORE THE WAIKATO COMMITTEE.

905. Would it not have produced quarrels between the different parties ?—lt would, had Mr. . Fenton shewn regard for one party only. 906. If he had done equal justice to both parties it would not have arisen ?—(ln that case) trouble would not have arisen. 907. Did he shew partiality to one side ?—He shewed regard for both parties. 908. Did any of the elder Chiefs think he shewed partiality to one side ?—They did. 999. Who were they ?—Tarahawaiki was not favourable to Mr. Fenton. 910. Did any others think so ?—There were others (who thought so), Waikato, Herepata and Karaka Tomo ; Potatau was favourable at the first, but was unfavourable afterwards. 911. Why did Potatau change his opinion ?—I do not know. 912. Do you know the ground of his change ?—I did not hear the cause. 913. Did you ever* hear that Mr. Fenton put aside the authority of the older Chiefs?—l never heard. 914. Do Waikato Natives talk to the Natives about that affair generally, or merely on their religious matters ?—I have talked (on other matters). 915. Did you ever talk with Potatau about Mr. Fenton's proceedings ?—I did not talk with Potatau. , ... . 916. Do you think that Potatau's objection to Mr. Fenton's proceedings was very strong, or that it would have given way ?—He did strongly object. ~",., , T 917. If Mr. Fenton had continued, would Potatau's objections have led to disturbance ?—ln my opinion, when he saw the excellence of Mr. Fenton's plans, he would not have been very angry. 918. Do you think Mr. Fenton's work produced good or evil amongst the Waikato ?—ln my opinion, it producecj good. . 919. If Mr. Fenton had not been removed, would the King party, m your opinion, have been gradually drawn over to the Queen party ?—Such is my opinion ; the King side would have heen deserted, and the men would have joined the Queen party. 920. Did Mr. Fenton's removal cause any of the Queen's party to join the King party ?—Those who were unfavourable were pleased at Mr. Fenton's removal. 921. What were the feelings of those who had been favourable, when he was removed ?—They joined those who had been unfavourable. 922. Did Mr. Fenton understand the Maori language well ?—Yes. 923. Have you ever had any talk with Ta Kerei about Potatau's opposition ?—We did not talk 924. Do you consider that the Natives in the Waikato were very desirous of establishing law and order among themselves ?—Yes. 925. Do they prefer the law to the Native customs ?—They prefer the law. 926. Do they still desire to have the law established among them, or do they desire to return to the Native customs ?—I do not know now. 927. Were you present at the meeting at Paetai when the Governor was there ?—les. 928*. What Chiefs were there ?—Potatau, Te Kereihi, Wharepu, Waikato, Hoani Kingi, Te Paki, these are all that I know of. . , ' 929. What request did they make to the Governor ?— Fhe things they asked for at that time were, the law, and a Magistrate. ~,,./, ~ j. \ i 930. Did they also ask for Runangas ?—The Runangas were included m (the request for) faw. 931. Did you send a written report of the proceedings of that meeting to Mr. Fenton ?—I did. 932. Was that report an accurate account of the meeting ?—Yes. 933. After the meeting at Paetai, did the Natives expect to receive some benefit, and were they isappom ' comiAeT that tliey rec eived what was promised ?—They considered that they had T'GCGIVGQ 935. Do you mean by the appointment of Mr. Fenton ?—The appointment of Mr. Fenton was one of the things. . , 936. When Mr. Fenton was withdrawn, did the Natives consider the Governors promise was 937. Is that a paper sent by you to Mr. Fenton (paper shown to witness) ?—Yes ; I wrote this paper. [The same put in and read.} Taupiri, Waikato, Hepetema 30, 1857. E Hoa c Penetana, . . , . ' , v Ko nga, kupu tenei i korerotia i rongo ai tatou l Paetai i te whakaaetanga a te Kawana ki nga tangata. Na, ki taku whakaaro c mahi ana te rewena, ara, to tatou tikanga i roto i Waikato. Kia tapatahi a tatou tikanga i runga ite kupu ate Atua, ite inoi ki a ia. Heoi ano. Me hoki mai koe kite tirotiro i a matou, kei whakangoikore koe ki enei mea. Na to hoa aroha, Na Heta Tarawhiti. Translation. Taupiri, Waikato, September 30, 1857. Friend Mr. Fenton, i L-d i. • i, ±x. These were the words which were spoken, which we heard at Paetai, when the Governor made a promise to the people ; in my opinion the leaven is working, that is, our plans ia

Heta Tarawluli

13 Oct. ISGO,

51