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place if I state that this change in the demeanour of the so-called Kingites must be perceptible to the most casual observer; but I had no idea that the change was so great as I found it last Wednesday. Judging from the tone, I am bound to conclude that Tawhiao at last has shown his people that he is determined to promote goods work only, in which he seems to be supported by all the principal chiefs of his party, some of whom, as the speeches denote, appear determined to advance his wishes in this direction. Tawhiao was at Tekauri, from where he sent a messenger to fetch his wife, Parehauraki. This circumstance made the Natives think that perhaps he would not visit them on this occasion. As to the rumour respecting Te Kuiti, or Tokangamutu, Maneha and chiefs say that is fiction, he being one of Tawhiao's leading Tariaos, besides being the father of Paewhenua, who rescued Mr. Mackay when he was attacked at Kuiti. They account for the story in this way: A native named Ngatuihi, who is considered out of his mind, rushed into Tawhiao's wharo one night naked. Waking him up, he told him that his Atua (God), who had come, had sent him to him (Tawhiao) for the sword which he was to give him, and he would take Alexandra and Ngaruawahia. Tawhiao called some Natives to remove and take care of him. Ngatuihi is a Ngatihaua. The Kawhia Natives complain very much against the pheasants, which, judging from their representations, have become a great pest to them. They say the only way they can preserve their crops is to stay by them day and night. Some facetiously suggest that the persons who introduced them should be requested to come and catch them, designating the bird as " this tarn, kino " (bad weed). The Aotea Natives also complain of them ; but they have a greater grievance against the frogs, which are increasing so rapidly about the Makaka and old Mission Station that the Maoris are beginning to get alarmed about it. One chief told me that his daughter swallowed, while drinking out of a kiakct, a young frog, which stuck in her throat, and was with difficulty dislodged, after having nearly choked her. I believe I am the first Government officer who has been allowed on the Kawhia side, besides yourself, since the people had to leave there during the late rebellion. This is the best proof in support of the change that has come over these people within the last twelve months, especially when it is remembered that the man in whose company I travelled was one of those who is accused of plundering Ilbury and Higgins' store, which stood at the Mission Station on this side of the Aotea Harbour. This occurrence happened only a very few years ago. Surely, when such a man voluntarily takes a Government officer across a tapued sea, his meaning is something more than mere civility. The friendly chiefs attribute the present state of affairs purely to your last year's interview with Tawhiao, and his appreciation of what passed between you; and I must say I concur with them. Tawhiao is now head Tariao, and is sister Tiria the leader of the female Ngclies. The Kawhia people did not suffer much from the heavy rains, excepting that some of their cultivations were carried away by land slipping. Tawhiao has given the Aotea storekeeper the name of Puhi, that being one of the names of Topi, who died recently at Te Taharoa, the object being to prevent Natives molesting him. It is needless to add that the Natives fulfilled their promise faithfully; the girl and her lover were produced by Wetini Mahikai, Kewene te Haho, and Te Okioki the father of the young man, before the Resident Magistrate, who ordered the girl to be returned to her father, telling the young man that he might consider himself fortunate that the father of the girl did not wish to prosecute him, on account of his relationship to his wife, and that for the future he had better desist from acting in this manner. At the request of Te Okioki, who promised to return the girl to her father the next day, the Resident Magistrate consented to allow him to convey her home to Waipa. Te Okioki left here the next morning, to deliver his charge to her father. I have, &c, R. S. Bush, The Hon. Sir D. McLean, K.C.M.G., Napier. Government Interpreter.

No. 11. Mr. R. S. Bush to the Hon. the Native Ministee. Sic, — Resident Magistrate's Office, Raglan, 9ffi February, 1576. I have the honor to report, for your information, that a messenger arrived from Hone te One, to summon me to Kawhia on Monday, the 31st ultimo. We left here in the afternoon for Motakotako, where we slept, crossing over the mud flats of Aotea Harbour on the following morning at low-water, reaching Torea, Hone te One's kainga, situated on the isthmus which separates the two harbours of .Kawhia and Aotea, about 9 a.m. ; Tawhiao and his followers, numbering about fifty, coming up from Pouwewc about half an hour afterwards. The principal chiefs of this party were Tawhiao, his eldest son To Rata Tawhia, otherwise Takcrei te Rau, To Ngakau, the remainder being young chiefs of the Ngatimahuta and Ngatipou tribes. Tawhiao's three wives and their children were also there, so was Te Reo, wife of Te Rata, and daughter of the late William Thompson. The observation being " Katalii te Iwcrc i rangatira kau." Te Tapihana had arrived the day before, in accordance with Tawhiao's desire, to act as his spokesman to the visitors. Upon the approach of the party to the kainga, Parehauraki's brother, who had come in advance, commenced to ring a handbell. The visitors marched up to where Hone te One, Te Tapihana, myself and others were sitting, and began their prayers, at the conclusion of which the usual cry took place. While the tangi was proceeding, Tawhiao heard that I was there. He immediately came over to me, shook hands, telling the people not to rub noses with him, as he was a Pakeha, but to content themselves with shaking his hand. After this he ran into one of the whares ; seeing I did not follow him, he called me to him ; when we had sat there for a few mimites, he asked me where you were ; when you were coming to Auckland, and like questions. He did not say anything; but, from his manner, I judged he felt disappointed at your not having arrived in Auckland ere this. It appears that Tawhiao keeps his movements very secret, does not confide them or his acts to the chiefs promiscuously, but only to those he is sure will not divulge them. He told me he never trusted hidden; the promoters of these stories did so to suit their own purposes, and not because they were rue. These persons did not know his ideas.