G.—4

14

The feeling of friendship as between the two races may be considered as established in these parts, and there is more danger of the Maoris disagreeing amongst themselves over land disputes than picking a quarrel with their white neighbours, against whom they have no real grievance. As to crime, it is very seldom that a Native is charged with a serious ofi'ence before the Courts ; and, generally speaking, there is no difficulty in bringing those to justice who break the laws of the country. In the manslaughter case referred to in my last report, the offending Maori duly surrendered to his bail, and was tried and acquitted at the Supreme Court. The Natives were much concerned and alarmed at the unfortunate issue of the fracas, which may or may not have hastened the death of a European ; and the investigation ftnd trial, though resulting in the acquittal of the accused, has had a salutary effect, more particularly upon the Maori youths who were mixed up in the drunken brawl. In my own Court the Maori cases have lately for the most part been of a civil nature; and in one instance, where a charge of sheep-stealing was made by a Maori against another, the case fell through for want of evidence of felonious intent on the part of the accused. As pointed out by mo in former reports, the land question is the all-absorbing business of the Maori at the present time. During the past summer the whole river population has been scattered here and there, engaged in, and watching over, the surveys of the many blocks under negotiation for sale to the Government. In only one instance (excepting; the Murimotu dispute) was there any danger of the peace being disturbed, and that was over the Mangaturuturu survey, which was opposed by the Patutokotoko Tribe, who disputed the claim set up by Kemp and the Jianana Natives to the block, and assembled in force, with arms, to resist the survey, which bad in consequence to be withdrawn. This tribe, who showed a disposition to resist the survey by a resort to violence, is the most warlike and independent one on the river, and lives at Manganui-o-te-Ao, a mountainous and inaccessible part of the country. Under the leadership of Pehi Turoa, Maketu, and other fighting chiefs, they formerly made a raid upon the river population, and conquered most of the inland tribes, and even established themselves in the neighbourhood of Wanganui Town, and finally crossed swords with Her Majesty's troops in the war of 1847, when Maketu, one of their warrior-leaders, met with his death from a soldier's bullet in a bouse near Churton's Creek. They fought against us during the late war, and have become much reduced in numbers ; and most of their leading chiefs, including Pehi and Tahana Turoa, have died. They are becoming gradually more tractable, and, as they are peaceably disposed towards us, will soon become more manageable. As a tribe they are divided in opinion on the question of land-selling, and the title to much of their country is in dispute amongst themselves. A portion of their territory, bordering towards Taupo and Tongariro, is open fern, land, and accessible from the interior. I will here take occasion of referring to the late Murimotu disturbance, which at one time threatened to result in hostilities between the Wanganui and Ngatuihiti Tribes. There can be no doubt that the question of title to the land in that part of the country is very much in dispute —both tribal, family, and individual title. During the many years I have been in wanganui, I have always understood it to be a debatable subject, both amongst resident and non-resident Natives ; and it would be a good thing if the various claimants could agree to some concerted line of action, whereby the vexed question of title might be gone into, and settled by joint survey and investigation before the Land Court. Matters have now become somewhat complicated, owing to the lawless procedure of Major Keepa, late Assistant Land Purchase Officer, whose conduct throughout the whole affair cannot be justified. The example shown by him and his tribe, in taking up arms to enforce their supposed rights, will have a very bad effect upon the Natives generally, particularly from such an example being shown them by so distinguished and loyal a chief as Major Kemp had proved himself to be. His disobedience of oi'ders and unruly conduct were quite inexcusable, and every opportunity was afforded him for explaining such conduct before the extreme step was taken of dismissing him. As an old friend of Major Kemp's, I must admit that the Hon. the Native Minister showed him every forbearance, and that it was his obstinate disobedience of orders and turbulent conduct that led to his dismissal. I have but one word of advice to give him should we meet again, and that is, to make his peace with the Government, whom he calls his parent, and return to his allegiance. I sincerely hope he will not persist in his enmity to the Crown, and that the report of his intention of severing himself from the Europeans —closing the river, stopping all surveys, selling and leasing of land, and attendance upon the Land Courts —will prove to be false and without foundation. With regard to Major Kemp's excuse for his conduct—that he was misled and deceived by his brother officers of the Land Purchase Department, and about counter-orders, &c.—that is a matter beyond my province to discuss. In any case, his first and paramount duty was to obey his chief; and, as a Militia officer of the colony, he must have known full well that that was the right and proper course to follow. I can conscientiously say that 1 did all I could to persuade Kemp to come away from Murimotu, and seek a friendly interview with the Hon. the Native Minister, so that matters might be made up ; but he would not be advised, and I feel quite sure he will before long find out his mistake, and regret he did not listen to the counsel of an old friend. From what I have beard, I have reason to believe that Major Kemp is advising his people to withdraw their lands from the Native Land Court, and rest satisfied with Maori tenure as derived from their ancestors ; to cease from selling and leasing, and to go in extensively for utilizing their lands by clearing and laying them down in grass, and putting stock of their own upon them; and, notwithstanding the invitation of Mete Kingi (who does not hold such extreme views as Kemp in this matter) to his people to take up their quarters, and attend the approaching sitting of the Land Court at, and in the immediate vicinity of, Te Paku meeting-house, Putiki, I am afraid many of the Wanganui Natives will fail, to put in an appearance at the Court. Kemp has also, without sufficient reason, asked for the sitting of the Court to be put off; and, without explanation, his motive for making such request is open to suspicion. The Native mind has all along, and still continues to be, much exercised upon the question of how to administer their land in such manner as to best promote their interests as a people. Opinion is much divided on the question. Some are for shutting up and monopolizing their lands altogether; some are for selling portions thereof, so as to let in the European element; and others—the extravagant and reckless —would part with every acre they have. Neither of said extremes will answer;