G.—9

1879. NEW ZEALAND.

TAWHIAO AND NATIVE MATTERS IN WAIKATO (TRANSLATION OF LETTER FROM MAJOR TE WHEORO TO THE HON. THE NATIVE MINISTER RELATING TO).

Laid on the Table by the Hon. Mr. Sheehan, with the leave of the House.

Major Te Wheoeo to the Hon. the Native Ministee. Alexandra, 30th June, 1879. Feiend, as I write to you, and since the Kopua meeting, the Maoris of this district —both the followers of Tawhiao and the Ngatimaniapoto —are living quietly. There is nothing for them to speak about, so they remain silent, reflecting upon the position taken up by their leaders in frustrating the intentioirs of the Government at Hikurangi and up to the present time; but, friend, lam of opinion that, if Tawhiao had not been tampered with by Europeans, who continually went amongst them as agitators, matters would have been satisfactorily arranged at the Kopua meeting. lam intimately acquainted with what has taken place since 1869, when I visited tho King country on Government business. It was owing to my inducement to Mr. Searancke to visit the Hauhaus that he went to Hangatiki: the Hauhaus threatened to turn him back at Orahiri, and the friendly Natives urged him not to go ; hut I would not consent. The chiefs sent messages to Mr. Searancke as well. T also invited Major Mair to accompany me when I went to Te Kuiti, and I took him to visit Tawhiao and Manuhiri. However, tho Government have at present no proposals to mako to Tawhiao, for which reason agitators do not go there so frequently. The people of Hikurangi are sawing timber to build themselves a mill with. The Waikato people residing at Te Kuiti are making themselves a canoe. The Hauhaus constantly bring their sick to be treated by the Europeans; there is a more general desire among them to do this than there was last year. As tlrey bring so many of their sick for treatment, I think if the Government erected a hospital here they would gladly avail themselves of it; there are some here at present under treatment, and they are convalescent. There are numbers of Maoris about Alexandra just now, and tlrey are not at all affected by Te "Whiti's proceedings at Taranaki. Tawhiao went to Kawhia after the meeting at Te Kopua, and returned the day before yesterday to his settlement at Hikurangi ; but, friend, if those Europeans continue in their endeavours to frustrate the intentions of the Government towards Tawhiao, it is impossible to tell how such proceedings will end. We say that we aro teaching them to become one with us, but how can this be done if certain Europeans are raising obstructions ?—From The Hon. the Native Minister. Wi Te Wheoeo.

Authority : George DiDSBUBY, Government Printer, Wellington. —1879.

Price 3d.]