71

G.—2

ou Tuesday morning to remove my camp, and I was very much pleased with their quiet behaviour, the utmost good humour prevailing on both sides. About twenty men, in a long line, carried our swags, tents, tools, theodolites, &c, in front of their horses, and out of the bush, on to the dray awaiting them at Ahipaipa ; when they proceeded on to the Waingongoro Biver, and placed our things at Sheet's camp. During the day tho whole of tho parties were shifted off the Plains. Mr. Climie had preceded me. Mr. Finnerty preferred carrying his own things to Normanby; and Mr. Anderson came to our camp later. I may mention that a white man was seen amongst the Natives of Titokowaru's tribe, who helped to remove our things. Ido not know his name; but hear that he has been living amongst the Maoris for the last two or three years ;in fact, ever since he came out from England, as an immigrant, to Taranaki: bo speaks tho Native language fluently." I also received the following report from Mr. Finnerty, dated 3rd April : "On Tuesday morning, the 25th March, at about 8 a.m., my camp having been struck and my pack-horses just moving off for a camping-ground on the Waingongoro Eiver, a party of Natives, about twenty in number, arrested my departure, and informed me that they had arrived with the intention of removing me to the southern side of the Waingongoro Biver. They transferred my baggage from my animals to a bullock-dray which they had brought with them. To this I offered no opposition, in consequence of instructions to that effect by the Civil Commissioner, by whom I had been apprised on the previous evening that such a step as I have described was not unlikely to be taken by the Waimate Natives. About a mile from my. camp they halted, and, leaving half a dozen men, the cart went away with the avowed intention to bring Mr. Cheal's party down, and then to take all across the river. Here I waited patiently for two hours. At the expiration of that time, they returned with numerous bundles, and informed me that two drays were required for the other party. They discharged my camp baggage, and took away the drays. I then remonstrated against being detained on the Blains in this way, and stated my wish that they would either allow my camp to be pitched, or load up my baggage animals and carry out their original intention. They chose the latter alternative, and I camped on the south side of the Waingongoro Biver, and applied for instructions. The Maoris conducted the removal with evident determination throughout, but with good temper; and I have to acknowledge that they were careful to do no damage." I also received the following report from Mr. Anderson : " On the morning of the 25th, while we were at breakfast, a Native, quickly followed by five others, all unarmed, made their appearance. They ordered me to strike camp, and said they had come, by order of Te Whiti, to see us off the Plains. He informed us, likewise, that all the other parties were removed on the preceding day. Everything was soon packed, the Maoris taking a share of the loads. The axes and billhooks were not overlooked by them. We proceeded clown the line ; two more Natives joined us on tho way, and very likely others were ensconced in the bush to see the result of their plans. On getting through the bush, we discovered 10 men, a great number of women and children, and a bullock-dray near the tent. On taking the articles into the dray, a hog spear, two axes, a fernhook, and one saw were missed ; and, but for detecting a Maori moving off with a gun, we should very likely have lost that weapon. A chief of Omuturangi, after making me understand what the result would be if my party attempted to oppose his men on the way, ordered a start; and by the afternoon the dray-load was deposited on the Hawera side of the Waingongoro Elver. I had noticed on the road that a few pegs were pulled up, and others cut to pieces. I went into Hawera the same evening aud reported full particulars." I also received the following report from Mr. Climie: "On the morning of the 24th March, on my return from work to the camp, I was met by a Maori, who informed me that Mr. Skeet, with bag and baggage, had that day been removed from the Blains to the east of the Waingongoro Biver, and that he (the Maori) was instructed to tell me that the Maoris intended to serve me in a similar manner to-morrow. I immediately rode into Hawera, and consulted Major Brown as lo the course of action I was to pursue; and he instructed me to offer no opposition whatever, but, at the same time, give no assistance in the removal. On the morning of the 25th, as by previous evening's notice, from Bto 12 Maoris mustered at my camp with a bullock-dray; and, after apologizing to me through one of my men who speaks the language, by saying they had no personal animosity against me, but were simply acting under Te Whiti's orders, they then commenced, quietly and in a good-humoured manner, to strike my camp and pack the things on the dray ; after which they deposited them on the Hawera side of the Waingongoro Bridge. I need scarcely say that Major Brown's instructions were fully carried out by my party, and no disturbances took place." I also wish to call the attention of the Commissioners to a letter I received from Mr. Finnerty on the 9th November, 1878, in which the following paragraph occurs : " I could not leave my party for a moment, the Maoris having been troublesome and obstructive. They threatened to do to me what was done to McLean at Moumahaki." 1027. During the time that the survey was under your general direction, did you yourself make any proposal to the Civil Commissioner about reserves for the Natives ? —No-. 1028. Nor to the Government P—No. 1029. Tou thotfght it was not your business to originate anything connected with the reserves ?— No; I was following Major Brown entirely. 1030. Was any statement made to you by the Civil Commissioner of his intentions about the Native reserves generally ? —Tes ; that there would be no further reserves on the seaward side of the road between Waingongoro and Kaupukunui beyond fishing-stations, burial-places, and Manaia's reserve ; that the Natives had been told so, and that the reserves would be made on the inland side of the main road. 1031. While the survey of the Plains was going on, was your attention directed to the question of a branch railway to connect Opunake Harbour with the main line, and did you make any suggestion to the Government on that subject ? —Tes ; and I ask leave to put in a letter that I sent to the Surveyor-General on the 10th December, 1878, containing suggestions as to the course, in my opinion, it should take, and reasons for the same, which at that time were stigmatized by a very great number of persons as extravagant and absurd. Later information obtained has confirmed me in the opinion, and inclines me to think that it should start from the main line even farther north than I then proposed. [See Appendix.]