G.—3

2

the prophets told them to do; so that whatever form these men wish to give to the movement will be carried out by the bulk of their followers irrespective of consequences. They have also the sympathy of the whole of the people living in the King country. I know that Topia Turoa is especially embittered against the Government, because his salary of £200 a year was stopped when he went to England, and will leave nothing undone in a quiet way to annoy it. He is too cautious to do anything openly, but his influence over the Natives at Tokaanu and Poutu and on the Upper Wanganui is very great. The chief at Tokaanu, Paurini Karamu, is a weak-minded irresolute man, influenced by the last speaker, he has fallen completely under Topia's influence, especially since the Constabulary were withdrawn from Tokaanu. He is, I believe, the owner of the hotel at Tokaanu, and, although Mr. Blake, the proprietor of the hotel, has a lease of the place for some term, as the land has not passed through the Court, if he, Paurini, wishes to turn the proprietor off the place, I can hardly see how he can be legally prevented. He has already sent two away who occupied the place on similar terms. No movement has been made yet to take any action in the matter; but I heard from Tokaanu this morning that a meeting on the subject was to be held there to-day. I have, &c, D. Scannell, Inspector, A.C., The Under-Secretary, Native Department, Wellington. Eesident Magistrate.

Enclosure. Sic, — Eesident Magistrate's Office, Taupo, 17th September, 1885. I have the honour to report, for your information, that, in pursuance of your instructions, I attended the late Native meeting at Poutu, Tongariro, convened by Topia Turoa, Te Huiatahi, and Kumeroa, arriving there on the 26th ultimo, the day appointed by them for the commencement of business. Owing, however, to various delays, the actual business of the meeting did net begin till Monday the 7th instant. Previous to this it appears that the chief endeavours of the conveners and the other chiefs, especially those from Waikato, were directed to obtaining converts to the new Hauhau religion, called "Paetiuihou"— the chief prophet of which, Te Kere, was present —and, as it seemed, with considerable success. On the 7th instant the meeting was opened by Topia Turoa, who stated that he wished to introduce several resolutions, which were as follow : (1.) That at a meeting held on the 13th December, 1856, at Pukawa, Taupo, the king then elected (Potatau) and Queen Victoria were, each governing their own people and subject to God and the laws, to work together, and that the undermentioned chiefs, with others of lesser note, were to bind themselves to support the covenant then entered into, and to hand it over to the keeping of Te Heuheu Iwikau, so that he might take charge of it and of Tongariro, so that both treaty and. mountain should last for all time, and that the land and people of these chiefs should also be given into the keeping of Te Heuheu Iwikau. The following are the names of the principal chiefs: Manga Eewi, Te Wahanui, Paerata, Te Eehi Kohika, Te Ao Katoa, Te Wharepapa, Ngakuru, Iwi Pakau, Topine te Kamu, Ngarupiki, Wi te Korowhiti, Tamati te Apotini, Nepia Taratoa, Heremia te Tihi, Pihataitunu, Ngawhakamaraenui, Kurupo Tareha, Eenata Kawepo, Paora Kaiwhata, Paora Toki, Te Eangihiroa, Herekiekie Tauteka, Paurini Karamu, Hare Tauteka, Te Whetu, Maniapoto, Te Moananui, Hikarahui and others. We now wish to reopen this covenant, and enforce it again, and have it discussed by the people at this meeting. (2.) That we should be one people, one tribe, and one family; the whole Island to be under the mana of King Tawhiao. (3.) That Maori Committees should be appointed to rule and manage all the Native business of this Island, also under the mana of King Tawhiao. (4.) That Native Land Courts be entirely done away with from this date throughout the whole Island. (5.) That we cease from voting for Native members of the House of Eepresentatives. (6.) To discuss the "Eohe-potae" of Tuwharetoa. This boundary was laid down by Wahanui, jointly for Whanganui, Tuwharetoa, Ngatiraukawa, and Ngatimaniapoto. Hohepa Tamamutu : I should like to discuss these matters privately with my people, and then to bring them before the meeting. Pehi Turoa objected to this, and Heperi asked which subject would come on first. Topia Turoa: Tawhiao appointed Te Kere and another chief to attend on his behalf, on account of the death of Manuhiri. I agree to Hohepa's suggestion. Hohepa then asked for a list of subjects. Pehi Turoa again objected. Te Heuheu TuJcino agreed with Hohepa, and said they should have two hours for discussion, or more if required. Manihera (of Wanganui), speaking of religion, said if we were all of one religion as well as one king it would be better. Hori Bopiha : I went to England to see the Queen. Tawhiao is king of this Island. His religion is Hauhau. We could not upset him. Both Europeans and Natives have tried and failed. The multitudes of England could not do so, though he is a Hauhau. Do not let us interfere, if any one wishes to return to the religion of his fathers. We are not kings nor gods. God knows which is right. If God were displeased with Tawhiao he would have dethroned him. When He was displeased with the kings of Israel he did so : many of them did not reign so long as Tawhiao has. I have been to England, and no one there said anything against him; so I say, Let him alone. Te An (of Karioi): Our first king was Potatau. You are right; we should not discuss the king. After his death there might not be another. The trouble at this meeting will be about the one at Pakawa. Patena (Waihi) :No one can find fault with Tawhiao. The kings of Israel are not to the point. When Christ came miracles ceased. He said, " Let them go their whole length."