A.—No. 5.

Majesty's Government unfavorable to myself and my Ministers regarding the management of affairs in the Colony, and that he may be directed to forward all such communications openly through me. I have, &c, The Eight Hon. Edward Cardwell, M.P. G. Grey. No. 47. His Excellency the Goyeenoe to the Eight Hon. the Seceetaby of State for the Colonies. Sic, — Government House, Auckland, 24th May, 1865. I have the honor to transmit notes of the substance of a message I have received from Matutaera, lately so-called Maori King, and from Eewi, the principal leader of the rebel Natives, from which I think that there is little doubt that they intend to return to their allegiance. 2. I have within the last few days received from an authentic source further information which strengthens my opinion that they are sincere in their desire to return to friendly relations with the Government. 3. You will observe that Mr. George Graham is the person Matutaera and Eewi expressed a desire to see. In compliance with their wishes, I have allowed that gentleman to visit them, as is shown in the enclosed correspondence, and in a few days I shall hear the result of his visit. 4. A letter, dated 10th of March, from Hori te "Waru, another of the rebel leaders, only reached me three days ago. He was an old and attached friend of mine in former years. He has returned to his allegiance, and his letter has made me resolve to proceed at once to Kawhia, there to see the principal rebel chiefs. I propose to sail to that place as soou as H.M.S. " Eclipse" returns from Opotiki. I have, &c., The Eight Hon. Edward Cardwell, M.P. G. Geet. Enclosure 1 to No. 47. Statement of Apoeo Kotikotiki to His Excellency Sir George Geet, X.C.8., at Government House, Auckland, April 24th, 1865. Hearing in the early part of January last that the soldiers were going to Kawhia in the steamers, I proceeded to Whaingaroa for the purpose of going to Hangitiki, to urge upon the Natives not to attack them if the steamer should go to Kawhia, but rather to go and trade with them. On the 20th January, I sent a letter to Te Wetini, Te Waitere, to Eewi, and all the chiefs, requesting them to meet mo at Hangitiki. On the 23rd I myself arrived there, accompanied by Anatipa. I found Te Waitere, To Wetini, Porokoru, Toma, and about three hundred men assembled there. After they had gone through the Pai Marire worship, I went up to the " niu" (flagstaff round which they go through their ceremonies), and said to them, " Hearken, ye children of Israel; there is but one God, the Lord Jehovah. Do not think that the Governor derives his power from himself. It is from God. See the Philistines believed in their own strength, and yet the children of Israel were given over to them by the Lord. But now, O people, do not take the name of the Lord in vain. From whence came this ?" (laying his hand on the " niu"). Te Wetini answered, " From trouble (mate). What is it to you? It is my sackcloth" (kahu taratara). "If such is the case, Ido not find fault with it, for such is the conduct of those who are in trouble." Eewi, being the great spirit of the Ngatimaniapoto, was sent for, and he arrived on the 2nd February. I said to him, " Eewi, why did you not obey the Governor's letter, and send him your guns when he asked you for them ? If I had been here, I would have hastened to obey him. You should have returned him those things, for they originally came from him." I further said to him, " What about your hand and the Governor's hand holding each other's hands ?" His answer was, " When I actually behold the man to unfasten our hands, then will I put my sword down. I will let you be the bearer of my word. Eeturn and fetch a person from the Governor's Eimanga. Bring him here, and then the correctness of the word will be seen — i.e., the putting down of the sword." I then said, " Let that word be carried." Eewi and Matutaera named Mr. George Graham as the person they would like to see. I then returned to Auckland." Shortly after, news was received of the murder of the Eev. Mr. Tolkner, and I heard it rumoured that it was Eewi's doing. I immediately went to Kawhia, and saw Eewi. I charged him with acting treacherously with me. He answered he had not, but that he was patiently waiting for an answer to his word, and told me to return again for the answer. James Fflloon. Enclosure 2 to No. 47. Mr. Geoege Geaham, Auckland, to the Defence Ministeb. Sic,— Cliff, Hobson Street, Auckland, 3rd May, 1865. I have the honor to inform you that I intend to go into the interior of this Province in a few days, and that I expect to meet William Thompson and some other Waikato chiefs that have been in arms against us. I believe that I can persuade them to lay down their arms, and take the oath of allegiance. I know that Thompson and some other chiefs of the Lower Waikato fear to come in before any officer of Government, believing that if they do so they will be made prisoners. Can you authorize me to assure them or any of them that if they wish for an interview for the purpose of making peace that their personal liberty shall be respected ? I have, &c, The Hon. the Defence Minister. Geo. Geahaji.

No. 74. . Statement by Te "Aporo,24th April. Mr. Graham to Major Atkinson, 3rd May, 1865. Private Sec!, to Mr. Graham, 9th May, 1 1865, Hori to Waru to Sir G. Grey, 10th March, 1865. Sir G-. Grey, to i Hori to Waru, 23rd May, 1865.

49

ZEALAND TO THE SECRETAEY OF STATE.