Numb. 6.

45

SUPPLEMENT
TO THE
NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE
OF THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 1880.

Published by Authority.

WELLINGTON, TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 1880.

Proclamation relative to a Commission appointed
under "The Confiscated Lands Inquiry and Maori
Prisoners' Trials Act, 1879."

(L.S.) HERCULES ROBINSON, Governor.

A PROCLAMATION.

THE Governor, for the information of Her
Majesty's subjects of both races throughout the
colony, and more especially of those of the Native
race now living between the River Waitotara and
the White Cliffs, on the West Coast of the North
Island, in order that the intentions of the Governor
and the Parliament may be made known to them,
directs the Act of the General Assembly to be pub-
lished, which was passed during the last session of
Parliament, intituled "The Confiscated Lands In-
quiry and Maori Prisoners' Trials Act, 1879."

He also directs the Commission to be published
which appoints three persons to inquire into the
causes of discontent, and the promises to the Natives
on the West Coast of the North Island which are
said to remain unfulfilled.

This Commission is appointed in accordance
with the will of Parliament, in order that any just
ground of complaint which may exist on the part of
Maoris may be removed, and peace may be firmly
established between both races.

Acts of lawlessness have taken place which en-
danger the peace of the country, and prisoners are
held in prison till the confusion is brought to
an end. This confusion cannot be allowed to con-
tinue.

The Governor does not wish to return to war, or
to retain the prisoners longer than is necessary in the
interest of both races.

Rather he desires to cultivate the work of peace.
For this purpose he has appointed as Commissioners

gentlemen of high position and of great experience in
public affairs to inquire into the claims and promises
which are stated to be unfulfilled.

They will, after full inquiry into these promises,
report to the Government what they consider to be
the just claims of the Maoris.

They will point out what they think to be griev-
ances under which the Maoris are suffering, and
they will suggest the lands which they think should
be set apart for those who determine to live in peace.

The fullest opportunity will be given to all
to urge their claims and their grievances before the
Commission.

It remains for those who have those claims and
grievances to bring them forward.

With them, and not with the Government or Par-
liament of New Zealand, will rest the blame if they
neglect this opportunity.

The Governor desires to do justice, and to that
end, in the name of the Queen, he calls on all her
subjects to assist him in bringing about friendly
relations between both races.

Given under the hand of His Excellency
Sir Hercules George Robert Robinson,
Knight Grand Cross of the Most Distin-
guished Order of Saint Michael and Saint
George, Governor and Commander-in-
Chief in and over Her Majesty's Colony
of New Zealand and its Dependencies,
and Vice-Admiral of the same; and issued
under the Seal of the said Colony, at the
Government House, at Wellington, this
twentieth day of January, in the year
of our Lord one thousand eight hundred
and eighty.

JOHN BRYCE.

GOD SAVE THE QUEEN!