A.—No. 4.

with their jealousy of the whites. Such a superstition can have no permanent hold upon the minds of a sensible people like the Maoris. When the war first commenced at Waikato, the people here were clearly of opinion that it had been forced on the Government by the Natives, and their sympathies were with the Government; but during its continuance the reports circulated by agents of the rebels, that they were uniformly successful in the engagements with the troops, was the cause of much anxiety to the tribes. The more youthful part of the community assumed an overbearing and boastful manner, almost amounting to turbulence, and as old enemies of the Waikato the chiefs began to fear that, if the whites were driven out of the country, they might be made to suffer for their former successful raids into the Waikato country. Under these circumstances I suggested to the Government that I should take a few chiefs selected by themselves. We visited the Waikato ;we went as far as Te Awamutu. We were at Pukerimu, awaiting General Cameron's attack on Maungatautari, when the affair at Orakau took place. We went over to that place, and that, with what had been previously seen of the occupation of the Waikato, convinced the Natives of the falsehoods which had been circulated. On our return meetings were held, and all that had been seen faithfully related, and all were fully satisfied that loyalty was the best policy. It must be remarked that this district, from its distance from the great centres of population, and cut off as it were from communication with the outer world, and their own weakness, tended to make the chiefs more than ordinarily anxious about their position with reference to the contending parties. They therefore heard the relations of the deputies with greater pleasure as their own feelings led them to side with the whites. In frequent conversations which I have had with the Natives, they have expressed their hope that the Government would put down with a strong hand every attempt at war; and many chiefs have said that the Government ought to call out the whole population to put down the King party, and this has been repeated to me lately with reference to rumoured disturbances. The removal of the troops was looked upon as premature, until this object had been established. I can only express an opinion on the prospect of peace being permanently established founded upon my general knowledge of Native character, —living out of the disturbed districts, I am not able to found it on any local information. I think that the so-called King party should not be interfered with, but, whenever possible, conciliated. They will soon disabuse their minds of the opinion that the Government is tyrannically disposed to them. The isolation which they have put themselves into will work its own cure. A firm determination, at the same time, should be shown to punish any interference with our territory or people. We shall have, and must expect, frequent annoyance, and perhaps considerable injury, from small parties of disaffected men, but I do not think they will be countenanced or supported by the King party. The Maori is of too independent a character to submit entirely to one supreme chief of his own nation, and men who feel themselves aggrieved will, I think, for a period surround themselves with reckless and disaffected men, and cause anxiety and danger to some of the border settlements. This appears to me to be the natural result of living amongst a warlike and unconquered people, and can only be met by vigorous and quick punishment, and confiscation of territory. Legislation. —" The Native Land Act, 1865," will tend much to the civilization of the Natives. It is, in my opinion, the best thing which has been done for the Native race; it is the surest guarantee to peace, as it gives them a real stake in the prosperity of the country, and enables them to dispose of their surplus land in the way which pleases them best. The Native Representation Act has not attracted much interest amongst the people of this district. It is generally considered as useless as far as they are concerned —the number of representatives being too few; they contend there should be a representative from each tribe, and a chamber separate from the whites, as they do not understand our language. My own opinion is that there should be no exceptional legislation on this subject, but those Natives who can place their names on the ordinary electoral roll of the district should do so. Ido not think that many Natives or Pakeha-Maoris would be returned. Education in this district is a dead letter. I have done all in my power to impress upon the Natives the importance to them and their children that the education of the rising generation should be attended to, but, though assenting to my remarks, they will do nothing towards this object. During the last few months of last year, Mr. Matthews (the schoolmaster paid by Government) could seldom get the children to attend, though to meet their convenience several schools were established in the larger villages; no interest whatever was shown by either parents or children, until Mr. Matthews' services had to be dispensed with. Since that time, I cannot even get the Natives to converse attentively on the subject. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary, Native Department, W. B. White, Wellington. Resident Magistrate.

W. S. White, Esq.— continued.

No. 17. CHATHAM ISLANDS. Repobt from "W". E. Thomas, Esq., Resident Magistrate, Chatham Islands. Resident Magistrate's Office, Sib,— Chatham Islands, 20th April, 1868. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your circular letter, Wo. 71-2, of 15tli February, 1868, requesting me, in common with officers of other districts, to furnish, for the information of His Excellency Sir G-. E. Bowen, a general report giving the fullest information I am able to afford of the present state of the Natives in my district. Tour circular reached me on the 21st ultimo, and from that date to the present period my time has not been sufficiently disengaged to enable me to prepare a report such as I would wish to furnish. I much regret if the delay should have occasioned any inconvenience. 10

W. E, Thomas, Esq,,

37

THE TIME OE SIR G. E. BOWEN'S ARRIVAL.