G.—2

4

1. At Eussell, the Eesident Magistrate (Mr. Williams), the Hon. W. Katene, and Mr. J. Williams, M.H.E., were in attendance. An address was also presented by the white inhabitants, His Excellency landing at the village soon after his arrival for the purpose of receiving it, notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather ; the resident Natives reserving the delivery of their address of "welcome" for the still larger meeting which had been appointed to take place at Ohaeawai, on the spot memorable for the conflict which unhappily subsisted between the English troops and the loyal and rebellious Natives during Heke's war. 2. Arrived at Ohaeawai, it was found that the meeting, in point of numbers, was by no means so large as was expected, the Maori address concluding with a request that His Excellency would be pleased to authorize the erection of a stone tablet in memory of the brave men (soldiers and sailors) whose remains were some time since removed by the Natives to the cemetery within which the village church now stands. 3. The journey resumed, we passed through the fertile district of Kaikohe, and from thence to the landing-place at the head of the Waima. At this place His Excellency was met by Mr. Yon Stunner, Eesident Magistrate, and the principal European residents of Hokianga, and by the chief, Moses Tawhai, and by them conducted in their boats to Herd's Point, the appointed place for a general meeting. 4. On the following morning Sir James Eergusson and suite, escorted by two large fully manned Maori canoes, proceeded to the Kohukohu, the residence of John Webster, Esq., where His Excellency was received under a salute of seventeen guns. On returning the same day to Herd's Point, a public meeting was held, the principal chiefs of the district introduced, and their addresses delivered in the usual form. After referring to the well-tried loyalty of the tribes at Hokianga, as shown by the marked support given at an early date by the late chiefs Tamati Waka, Macquarie, and Patuone, they respectfully urged the extension of Native schools, and the establishment of a special settlement for the purpose of increasing the trade and commerce of the district. 5. Allusions in terms of regret at the recent alleged murder at Wangaroa (in which some of their own people were unavoidably mixed up) were also made, Moses Tawhai observing that he had visited Wangaroa specially to induce a quiet surrender and submission to the law. 6. On re-embarking at the Bay of Islands, the Governor proceeded in his yacht, accompanied by H.M.S. " Blanche," to the settlement of Mangonui, where Mr. White, the Eesident Magistrate, and Timoti Puhipi, the principal chief of the Earawa, were ready, with the representatives of their people, to receive His Excellency. 7. At the hour appointed, addresses were delivered by the settlers and by the Natives. It was gratifying to find that here, as well as at the other settlements, the establishment of schools, introduced by Mr. McLean specially for acquiring a knowledge of the English language, was already held in the highest estimation by the Natives, and they frankly avowed, in His Excellency's presence, that they now saw before them the only means of preserving their race from premature decay. 8. Of His Excellency's replies it would perhaps be unbecoming on my part to speak, beyond remarking that they were couched in terms of frankness, earnest and dignified, mixed with wise counsel and admonition, and acceptable to the minds of a people who are not without a large measure of discernment and penetration, and whose demonstrations were on each occasion marked with loyalty and good feeling. Lastly. I humbly trust that that part of the duty devolving more particularly upon myself while in attendance, will not have fallen very far short in facilitating His Excellency's movements, or in making the Governor's tour acceptable to himself, as it has been acceptable to those people to whom he has been pleased to accomplish a visit on this occasion. I have, &c., H. T. Kemp, The Under Secretary, Native Department. Civil Commissioner.

No. 6. Mr. E. W. Ptjckey, Thames, to the Undee Seceetaex, Native Department. SiE,— Native Office, Thames, 29th May, 1874. I have the honor to inform you, in reply to your circular calling for a general report, that the feeling evinced by the Natives in this district towards the Government is highly satisfactory: this applies alike to the Queen Natives and Hauhaus (of these latter there are still a few), and I may say, though avowedly King Natives, and as such opposed to the Pakeha, especially as regards the acquisition of land, they are in the main quietly and peaceably disposed. The visit of His Excellency the Governor to the Thames in October last, although it afforded little opportunity to the Natives from the more distant parts of the district to be present at the meeting held at the house of the chief (W. H. Taipari), has left a most favourable impression amongst the Natives generally; and Te Hira has repeatedly said to me, "Ka pai nga kupu aTe Kawana hou." (The words of the new Governor are good.) I am glad to be able to say that the road between Ohinemuri and Katikati is nearly completed. The whole of the bush has been cleared to a width of half a chain ; it still remains, however, to have some cuttings made, and I hope in a short time to report that it is in a fair way of completion. Major Eopata Wahawaha came to the Thames in February last. His visit had the effect of relieving the minds of the Thames Natives from gloomy forebodings, they having entertained the idea, fostered as I understand by Waihi Tarawaru, that the East Cape Natives, being armed with Government rifles, were coming to seek " utu " for the doings of former times. So impressed were some of the Hauraki chiefs at hearing this, that suitable sites had been chosen for pahs, in order to resist the attacks of and repel the invaders. With respect to Native schools, I regret to say that after repeated attempts to get a school established at Ohinemuri or Taupo, there is no immediate prospect of my hopes in that direction being