G.—lc.

4

No. 5. Mr. R. S. Bush to the Hon. the Native Minister. Sir, — Resident Magistrate's Office, Raglan, 24th January, 1879. I have the honor to report, for your information, that some twenty of the Makaka and Aotea Ilauhaus, under the leadership of Kewene te Hoho, Kereopa tc Opa, and Kahawaru, waited upon me about 7 a.m. yesterday at Motakotako, and requested me to accompany them to the road party, as they were proceeding there to stop the roadworks. I replied that I was unaware of their right to interfere with this road, so long as I did not take it outside of Mr. Ligar's old lino, as it was to be made over land which they themselves had sold to the New Zealand Government years ago. Holding these views, it would be useless my accompanying them, as I supposed they had made up their mind not to listen to reason; therefore no object would be gained by my presence; —that I had something to do five or six miles off—namely, start a fresh party of workmen to fell bush. Besides this, I said I was sure they were acting without Tawhiao's orders, and contrary to his wishes. I then concluded by telling them that I should be back again at Motakotako in a few hours, when if they desired to say anything further I should be prepared to hear them. 1 may here state that I had heard before I commenced the work that these Natives would oppose it: I therefore made it my duty to cross over to Kawhia and see Tawhiao. I did not mention this road directly to him, as I was sure he was well aware of the cause of my visit to him. I told him that, if he were to travel the Waipa Road now, he would not recognize it as the old one. He simply smiled, and I knew by that he understood the object of my visit, and that the making of the road was a matter of indifference to him. The next morning I started the road. Kewene's party proceeded to the Ngatihikairo roadmakers, and commanded that they should give up the work and return to their homes, on the ground that Tawhiao had for years forbidden the making of roads, surveys, &c. Hone Kaora replied, on behalf of his company, that they had often heard of the subject alluded to, and that it did not affect them, but if they said, " \ou shall not work any longer," he would at once tell them that they would not leave the work until it was all finished. The Hauhaus then bounced a little, but, finding Cowcll and his thirty companions determined to make the road, they made a few threats, and then proceeded to the Mata to interview Wetini and his working party. They met with a like reception from these, and returned to Motakotako a little before sunset. A short time after sunset they asked me to come to where they were, and listen to what they had to say. I went, and Kewene made a fierce speech with respect to the road, telling me that I was not to come there again—if I did I should be killed; and that roadwork should not continue. I replied that I could not perceive what right any one of their people had to interfere with the road, inasmuch as they had years ago sold the land to the Government, who had also parted with it to various individuals. No one could prevent another from making a road through his own property if he liked to do so. If it was wrong to make this road, then it was also wrong to make the road which they had all seen being made in the Township of Raglan to the wharf, as the Europeans' title to the land was the same here as there—namely, one of purchase. I could not, therefore, being satisfied that the road was on the European land, consent to discontinue the work. That we, the Europeans, had long since been taught that an appeal to the strong arm was a mistake, and, instead of settling a dispute, only magnified a small thing till it became a very serious matter. All I could say with reference to their threat regarding myself was that, if they really meant what they said, they had better proceed to carry it into execution at once : then every one could really know what they wanted. Threats would never settle supposed or real injuries. They only tended to weaken the cause instead of strengthening it, as all straightforward and right-thinking men would stand aloof from those who had only a case that required such violent threats to bring it to light. If they took my advice they would be satisfied to let the road proceed, now that they had made the demonstration ■which they had that day made. Kahawaru then made a long and ferocious speech, if possible more fierce than Kcwene's. Tawhiao had arrived whilst the talk was taking place, and seemed to enjoy the whole thing amazingly, as he was laughing all the time. After tea I spoke to Tawhiao about the harbours, telling him that I denied their right to interfere. He answered, " I have only one thought—that is, our talk at Hikurangi." I then said, " You remember toy coming to you at Pouewe; you knew my object ? " He replied, " Yes." I then said, " I came to hear if you had any objection to the making of this road —you had none. Upon my return I commenced it, and to-day felt satisfied that these people were acting against your wishes and concurrence. Am I right ? " He replied, " Yes. lam the cause of the delay of the meeting: it will not be long now. I think it will be held at Kopua." I then said, "If you make no objection to the work of your people the world will say it is your work." He answered, "Wait; I mean to speak to them directly." Shortly after this we proceeded to the whare, and some of Kewene's people commenced to talk. The purport of what they said was in support of what they had that day done. Tawhiao then replied—l will give his exact words: " Taku kupu ki a koutou, c tika ana a koutou kupu c tika ana hoki ta koutou main c mahi nei koutou-whakarongo mai ki taku kupu,