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E.—No. 4

tion I have maintained throughout towards the Government agent here. As far as possible I have kept him conversant with the affairs of the District, and have only dared to hesitate in cases where I could see an evil result attending any action proposed by him ; for instance, when Colonel Logan sent a verbal order by Mr. Booth that I should request the Putiki Natives to hand over to him the canoes taken by them in the Motoa battle, or when instructed to demand an unconditional surrender from a man who was waveringin his rebellion. I might name a few more apparently trivial occurrences in which my want of concurrence has engendered a spirit of opposition in the mind of Colonel Logan, and produced for me a sharp rebuke. I nevertheless feel sure that you will excuse and support me with the same spirit that Dr. Featherston has already done, when you have seen the copies I have forwarded for your information. I have endeavored, as nearly as possible, to pursue the path approved by him, and where I have failed I can conscientiously assure you has not been for want of desire to carry out the Government instructions. "Will you allow me to say that I think you wrong me if you entertain any idea of my want of co-operation, indeed it is my most earnest desire to fulfil every tittle the Government requests, and also to assist every one to whom my assistance may be of the best value. Forgive me therefore when I say that the position in which I am placed to receive instructions, and to obey the orders ©f yourself and two others will necessarily lead to my not being able to please any one of the three. For instance, Colonel Logan demands that I send for Captain Lloyd's head, his Honor says " act as directed by the Colonial Secretary." You tell me that my correspondence with Colonel Logan, respecting the Maori prisoners, shows a marked absence of that courtesy which is due from one officer of the Government to another. His Honor says I am wrong in two instances and the Colonel in three. You tell me that lam to obey the Colonel in political matters. His Honor tells me (in reference to the correspondence relative to the prisoners) that Colonel Logan is agent of the Government for purely military purposes and none other, he has nothing whatever to do with purely civil matters or with Native Affairs, except so far as they bear upon his military functions or duties, and this is the idea which prompted me to address my correspondence, in the case of the prisoners to Colonel Logan and not to the Government Agent. I have, &c, John "White. No. 3. THE RESIDENT MAGISTRATE, CENTRAL WANOANTJI, TO THE HON. THE NATIVE MINISTER. Court House, (No. 212) Central "Wanganui, November 24, 1864. Sib,— I have the honor to report that some of the "Waikato people who were at "Waitotara have returned, some gone to Waitara, some to Ngatiruanui, and others to Pipiriki; a portion still remain at "Waitotara with Bewi. Matutaere is reported at Taiporohenui with ~Wi Toetoe and Taati te "Waru. The Chiefs Hare, Tipene, and Pehimana have determined that the "Waitotara road should not be continued beyond a place called Taurangaika, about three miles from the "Waitotara Eiver. The meeting reported to take place at Koriniti was held at the appointed time, at which the Natives decided that if war should break out at Waitotara they will remain at their settlements to guard the Eiver. A young man called ilereiki committed suicide last week at Koriniti, caused by family disputes. I would report that the Hau Hau fanaticism is spreading very rapidly in this Province, and I fear will be the cause of great mischief. It is now the mainstay of the King movement. I would beg to call attention to the fact that my instructions from the Government are that I am to do nothing but what is strictly in my line of duty under " Native Circuit Courts and Native Districts Eegulation Acts." As it is impossible to have daily intercourse with Natives and refuse to give them information, which they consider me to be in possession of, without engendering in their minds the most intense suspicion, unless the Government give me the discretionary power allowed by his Excellency when I was appointed here, there will be as much anarchy and confusion among even the friendly Natives in this district as has been elsewhere in New Zealand. I have, &c, J. "White, B, M., The Honorable the Colonial Secretary, Central "Wanganui. Native Department, Auckland.

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