OFFICERS IN NATIVE DISTRICTS.

37

P.—No. 3ju

is no chance of further fighting with us if we return; the Christian religion is good certainly, but most of its professors are rum drinkers ; let this evil be given up. Ihakara : Listen, lam your chief; some of the hapus of this tribe have broken loose. I speak to all as your chief; do not you Hauhau chiefs try to prevent men giving up that form of religion ; cease this disputing. Nepia Taratoa: I agree with what Henere has said ; there is evil with all parties, Hauhaus and Government Natives. The great evil of this day is the public house; it has made slaves of the tribe; all are worshippers in that house; it is for you to see what is good, and to follow that good. lam going to try and get my people to give up drinking rum. We have more to fear from this evil than from Hauhauism. Te Peina : Hauhauism has been evil spoken of, and with reason. I shall give it up. Pia Kutia (half-sister to Tamehana) : Salutations. O Whiti, do you return to our chief; return to our Ariki Tawhiao. I shall give up Hauhauism. I intend to go to Otaki because two men of this tribe are to be admitted into the church as ministers. Ihakara: I appeal to the men of Eaukawa, Muaupoko, Eangitane, and Ngatiapa to give up quarrelling about land, and to live in peace and friendship for the future; indeed, if you do quarrel, you will punish yourselves, as you have become one people with the neighbouring tribes through marriage. Hemi Warena (Eangitane) : Was glad to respond to Ihakara's invitation to live in peace for the future. Huru Te Hiaro : Had long lived on terms of friendship with Ngatiraukawa ; would be glad to live on terms of more intimate friendship, and that Eaukawa and Eangitane should be one tribe having same interests. James Booth.