E.—No. 14.

No. 1. The Hon. Native Ministeb to the Kesidext Magistbate, Whatawhata. Sir,— Native Office, Wellington, 22nd August, 1865. You are no doubt fully acquainted with all the circumstances attending Mr. G. Graham s mission to William Thompson, which resulted in the latter making his submission to General Carey. The Government is of opinion that immediate steps should be taken to secure the final and permanent, alliance of that influential Chief to the cause of the Queen, and of the law. No steps have as yet been taken by the Government to communicate with Thompson, since his submission, except a letter from the Governor, of which a copy is enclosed; and it is to be feared that if he shall take up the idea that he has been Blighted, he may not only recant his submission, but exhibit all that active and dangerous hostility which would result from a feeling that he had sacrificed his own cause without gaining our confidence. The Government is therefore of opinion that a visit should be made to William Thompson by some officer in the service and in the full confidence of the Government, and has selected you for this important mission. Tour principal object will be to enter into a full explanation with that Chief as to his present position, and as to his true relations with the Government, and to pos.se.ss yourself with his whole mind on the subject. You will inform him that His Excellency and the Government received witli the greatest pleasure the news of his submission, and that nothing but the press of business connected with the meeting of the Assembly has delayed this recognition at an earlier period. You will inform him that the twa petitions which he addressed to the General Assembly, —the one dated 15th May, through myself, and other dated 18th July, through Mr. G. Graham, —have both been laid before the House of llepresentaiives, and that the House was pleased to receive them. The first of these documents, of which I enclose copies, is a general statement of grievances ; the second is a specific request for an inquiry into his own character as regards the origin and conduct of the war. With regard to the petitions you will acquaint him, that there is no object to be gained in instituting such an inquiry as that which he claims —that all the events connected with the war have been regarded from opposite points of view by different persons —that the Government deeply regrets that it was called upon to take the steps which it did take, but which it believed to be absolutely necessary for the safety of the Colony. That the Government is quite willing to believe that he thought he was acting right; but you will at the same time point out to him that his conduct in supporting the revolt against the Queen's authority instead of siding with the Government, and throwing his whole influence into that scale, has only helped to prolong a si niggle which was utterly hopeless, to reduce the Native districts to a state of anarchy, and to involve the Native Eace in inevitable destruction. He should be brought to see that if he now joins the Government, heart and soul, in the maintenance of the law and of civil order, all the charges which have been brought against him of double dealing will be entirely forgotten, and he will be honored and esteemed as he well deserves to be. But one main point of your interviews with him, for I am not under the impression that you will accomplish this mission without many interviews, will be to point out to him very plainly that he cannot halt between two opinions. The murderers of Mr. Yolkner and Mr. Fulloon' must be arrested and brought to justice. The Government is about to issue a proclamation of peace, bringing the war to a final conclusion, and offering pardon to all except to those who have committed some of the worst murders, —that is murders that no state of war could justify or excuse. With these exceptions peace will be offered to all, and no more land will be taken. At the same time whilst no further steps will be taken against rebels, a strong expedition is sailing to Opotiki to arrest the murderers of Mr. Yolkner and Mr. Fulloon, and if not given up their lands will be taken to provide the cost of establishing a police force in the district. The same policy will be pursued in all future cases of murder, under an Act now passing, of which I send you a copy. All this you must explain to Thompson, so that he may fully understand that whilst the Government will take no further steps to punish those who have been in arms against the Queen, it is resolved to put down all acts of violence ; and as he has always proclaimed himself the advocate of peace and of law, —and the Government is willing to give him every credit for entire sincerity, —so it now expects him to come forward boldly and aid in the task of arresting these criminals. The Government is quite aware that the Ngatiliauas are at enmity with, the Arawas, who are fighting for us, and you may find great difficulty in dealing with this point. But it may possibly rest somewhat with him whether this strife shall continue : We require him to use all his influence to call off those who are fighting in the Bay of Plenty. The Arawas will be asked to assist us only until the murderers of Yolkner and Fulloon are taken" and hanged. Nothing will then stand in the way of peace, if Thompson can be brought to use his whole influence in insisting on the other party laying down their arms. It may naturally be said that Thompson will expect something on our part if he undertakes to use his authority in our favor. But on this subject the greatest delicacy is required. If 1 have taken a correct view of this Chief's character, any attempt to bribe or buy him would be met with increased suspicion and mistrust. The Government desire to do nothing of the kind. But it is possible that he

REPORT OF AN INTERVIEW BETWEEN R. C. MAINWARING, ESQ., R.M. WHATAWHATA, AND WILLIAM THOMPSON.