774 THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. [No. 52

On Tuesday last, a telegram was received from the Agent-General, to the effect
that Lord Derby would be willing to promote the views of the Colonies on this subject,
if some satisfactory assurance were given that they would bear the necessary expense.

Since Parliament last met, a marked improvement has become apparent in the
relations between the Maoris on the one hand and the Government and European
settlers on the other.

On the West Coast of the Northern Island, where great anxiety recently
prevailed, there now exists a general feeling of security. The Native Chiefs, Te
Whiti and Tohu, have been released from custody and permitted to return to Parihaka,
where they are residing. There is no indication that this concession will lead to
the renewal of dangerous proceedings on the part of the Natives.

The labours of the West Coast Commission, now drawing to a close, will no doubt
be productive of much good to the Maoris, and will greatly promote the beneficial
occupation and improvement of the country by both races. The thanks of the Colony
are especially due to Sir W. Fox, for his very valuable services towards bringing about
so satisfactory a result.

The Maoris who have for so many years maintained their isolation in the district
between the European settlements at Waikato and those on the Waitara River, have
now unreservedly renewed their intercourse with the Government and the European
population; and it is a gratifying fact that, on a recent occasion, important Chiefs of
the tribe which has hitherto maintained the most exclusive attitude, and which
occupies the most isolated part of the Colony, have recognized our laws by voluntarily
attending at the Supreme Court in Auckland, to give evidence against a number of
their own people who had committed a serious outrage on a party of Government
surveyors. There are grounds for a reasonable hope that in the future the Natives
will yield willing obedience to the laws of the Colony.

The unopposed reopening of the Harbour of Kawhia, which had been closed to
Europeans for more than twenty years, the laying-out of a Government township adjacent
to the harbour, and the exploration for railway purposes of a part of the country
where for many years Europeans had not been permitted even to travel, warrant
the belief that the Natives are realizing that the development of the resources of
the country will most effectively promote their own interests.

I have issued a Proclamation, under the Act of last session, granting an Amnesty
without any exception; and there is every reason to believe that the Amnesty has
produced an excellent effect on the Native population.

The pressing forward of surveys and the construction of roads prior to the
alienation of Crown lands, have proceeded actively during the past year, and satis-
factory results have been attained in the promotion of permanent settlement.

Further experience in Departmental administration has shown that some changes
are requisite in the land laws, in order to give fuller effect to the desire of the
Legislature that the public estate should be so disposed of as to promote the dis-
tribution of the land amongst a numerous and industrious population. Amendments
of existing Acts, having that object, will be submitted for your consideration.

During the last session, Parliament determined to adopt, within fixed limits, a
system of leasing agricultural lands with a perpetual tenure. The initiation of the
system has been attended with results which may upon the whole be deemed satis-
factory.

The introduction of population under the nominated system of immigration was
resumed on its being authorized by Parliament, and has been carried on during the
recess. The increasing facilities of communication with Europe, the large area of
land which is being opened for settlement by roads and railways, and the establishment
of new industries, offer year by year greater inducements for the introduction of
capital, and at the same time point to the necessity of steadily continuing the assist-
ance which is given from the public funds in aid of immigration.

With the aid of money voted by Parliament, increased facilities for the develop-
ment of the Gold Fields have been provided, and encouragement to this important
industry has been thereby afforded. Large sums have been expended by private
enterprise in opening-out quartz reefs; and this branch of the industry is steadily
assuming larger proportions, and becoming a permanent source of wealth to the
Colony.