MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN

1058. When you went into Waikato in June 1857, did you find the king party strong in, number and influence ?—I believe that most of the tribes in Waikato had given a nominal adhesion to Potatau. The letter which I mentioned in page 3of my report was addressed to the principal Chiefs of Waikato proper, and I believe most of them assented. 1059. Did you find any considerable number who had not given in their adhesion to Potatau ?- —■ Generally speaking, the adhesions were much more numerous than the refusals; but still there was a large section of the population looking on warily to see what the tika was. 1060. Had Wiremu Nera given in his adhesion ?—I think not. 1061. Had Waata Kukutai ?—No ; he had been written to, but had refused. 1062. You have named certain Chiefs of similar rank to Potatau: Wiremu Nera, Kukutai, and Te Waharoa. Had Te Waharoa given in his adhesion to the King ? —-Te Waharoa had been dead some time : his son Tamihana Tarapipipi was the leader of the King movement, and the writer of the letter above referred to. At the time I went into the district, Potatau himself had not consented to accept the title, but he had been talked about. Wiremu Nera, and Waata Kukutai (who had succeeded to the influence of his father in preference to an elder brother) had both refused to give in their adhesion to Potatau. 1063. AVhen you first went into Waikato in 1857, what, as far as you could judge, was the character of the King movement and the objects of those engaged in it?— That question is very fully answered in my report. The character of the movement in my opinion was likely to be beneficial or dangerous, according to the direction which might be given to it. 1064. Then at that time it had no decided aspect of hostility to European rule?— Certainly not, except in a very small section represented by Te Heuheu, Chief of Taupo, a district in the centre oi the Island, 1065. Was Te Heuheu a Chief of great influence?— Not out of his own tribe, Ngatihowaotoa, which numbers about 2()00 men, women, and children, including its subdivisions. 1066. Did his influence as a Chief extend to Waikato?—No: they were glad to have him, of course, as an adherent. 1067. Then excluding that small section, what did you understand to be the precise objects of the King party? —Principally an earnest desire, a longing after Government; other motives joined, such as a desire to prevent the further alienation of territory to the Europeans, and a wish to, prevent all their mana from going to the Europeans; at the same time I think this latter motive may be included in the first, supposing that they were associated with the Government as they ought and must be. 1068. Then you attribute this King movement to three principal motives ; a desire for law, arising from the sense of their lawless condition ; a desire to retain the land ; and a sentiment of nationality ?—lt is so. 1069. At that time had the King movement assumed any distinct organization, or was it merely an idea fermenting in their minds ?—There was no organization, but thqre was great intellectual energy. 1070. Amongst this party which you have described, did you, on your first arrival at Waikato, find any indisposition to receive you as a Magistrate ?—I did not. On the contrary, at the great King meeting in May, at Paetai, I, with my Native Assessors, who had been previously nominated were employed till very late hours in the night in settling differences among all classes of Natives then' assembled, Kingites as well as others. After witnessing our administration of justice for two or three day's, Wi Tamihana Tarapipipi suggested to the leading Chiefs of Ngatihaua, his tribe, that they should procure me to reside amongst them as a Magistrate, retaining the Queen's authority, and proposed to give me a tract of land. The objection was made by some that tliat would be breaking the league. Tarapipipi and the others replied that this was a special case, and that it would be very beneficial for them to do so. 1071. Was any formal proposal made to that effect ? —lt went no further. I told them I could not be stationary, that I must go about. 1072. Tarapipipi does not reside at Waikato ? —He lives at Peria. The Ngatihaua own the lands between the Thames and Horotiu. 1073. Did Potatau express any, or what, opinion on the subject of your going as a Magistrate to Waikato ?—He asked the Governor at the meeting of the 23rd April, at Paetai, to send a Magistrate. I was told afterwards by some of the Natives that their gun had been pointed at me, meaning that I was the person they wished to be sent. 1074. The Committee understands then that Wiremu Nera and Waata Kukutai were favourable to, your going to Waikato from the first ?—Yes ; but Nera objected to my leaving Whaingaroa, his own place. I refer to his letter in p. 46, in E. No. la, as an indication of his sentiments. 1075. Did you immediately on your appointment commence your Magisterial duties ?—I find I commenced my first circuit on July 12th, 1857. 1076. What places did you visit, distinguishing the Upper and Lower Waikato ?—I find I transacted no business higher up than Watawata in the Waipa. 1077. Did you find generally in your circuit a disposition to receive you ?• —I did. They welcomed me everywhere. I went officially to no place without being invited. That was my rule of action. 1078. Did you at that time perceive indications, from any quarter, of opposition to your proceedings ?—My journal gives a full account of my proceedings. Speaking from recollection, I did not. The King movement was going on, but I did not interfere with it, and it did not interfere with

F. D. Fenton, Esq.

16 Oct. 1860,

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