It is presumed that no one will for a moment contend that the Governor intended to do an injustice to the natives, but this much should be said in their defence.

A reference to Governor Browne’s despatch, No. 27, of the 22nd March, will clearly show that the military force was sent to the Waitara, not for the purpose of carrying into effect the survey of the Waitara land, for the object of ascertaining how much and how little of it was owned by Teira and others who joined with him in the sale of it. The enclosure to that despatch distinctly explains as follows:—

"Previously to the march of the troops, a manifesto had been published in the Maori language, and widely circulated by special agents amongst all the tribes in the Northern Island."

That manifesto declared as follows:—

"The Governor accepted Te Teira’s offer conditionally, on its being shown that he had an undisputed title."

Te Teira’s title has been “carefully investigated and found to be good. It is not disputed by any one. The Governor therefore cannot allow William King to interfere with Te Teira in the sale of his own land."

"Payment for the land has been received by Te Teira. It now belongs to the Queen."

"William King has interfered to prevent the survey of the Queen’s land, by her own surveyors. This interference will not be permitted."

What the natives are here told appears to be that William King has interfered to prevent the survey of the Queen’s land, which had been acquired by purchase from Te Teira, whose title to it had been investigated and found to be good, and was not disputed by any one, not that he interfered to prevent a survey to ascertain the ownership of the land in dispute.

Again, the Secretary of State’s despatch, No. 88, of the 25th August, 1863, states:—

"In February, 1859, before the Waitara question arose, he, William King, had given notice to the Governor that he would allow no land to be sold within a district extending forty miles North of the European boundary at Taranaki, an interdict of a rebellious character to which the reasons now, or formerly alleged against the Waitara sale, can of course have no application."

By the treaty of Waitangi, the chiefs and tribes of New Zealand, and the respective families and individuals thereof, were guaranteed the full, exclusive, and undisturbed possession of their lands and estates, forests, fisheries, and other properties, which they may collectively or individually possess, so long as it is their wish and desire to retain the same in their possession.

At the date of William King’s letter, which is regarded as an interdict of rebellious character, the natives of Taranaki and its neighbourhood were, and had been for some years, engaged in a series of blood feuds, in which the Government had frequently been earnestly solicited by the natives to interfere, to prevent the loss of life which was going on, but the Government declined to do so. And these feuds had all originated in disputes regarding portions of land which the Government wished to purchase from various native claimants.

It was under these circumstances that an assemblage of land-owners had met, and thus a runanga chosen for that year, agreed that they would still decline selling portions of their land within certain limits. Many of these people had previously sold very large tracts of land to the Government, to meet the wishes of the Europeans. Their letter to the Government was written and signed by the chief, William King. It is submitted that the letter itself is a respectful letter; and this unfortunate circumstance has taken place, that in the printed translation of the letter those respectful words at its conclusion are omitted, “My love, is this letter to you.” A correct translation of the letter is herewith enclosed, as there is at least one other important omission in the printed translation, which is that which, it is believed, has been always laid before the Government.

The object the natives had in making such an arrangement amongst themselves, as is disclosed in this letter of William King’s, is explained in their own language, in another native letter:—

"It was settled so in consequence of your bad system of purchasing land. For we had lost numbers of our people through this same land purchasing. Whenever the Government shall have laid down some equitable system of land purchase, and when calm is once more restored, then the tribes who are for selling will sell their lands under a properly regulated system."

G. Grey.

Auckland, New Zealand.

26th October, 1863.

RESOLUTION PASSED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ON FRIDAY, 11th DECEMBER, 1863.

"That this House, having had under consideration the Governor’s message No. 15, with its enclosures, and also His Excellency’s despatch to Her Majesty’s Secretary of State for the Colonies of the 26th October, 1863, with the memorandum enclosed, resolves, That this House did not, by its resolution of the 25th November last, desire to express any opinion as to the accuracy or otherwise of the three statements specified in the enclosure to the Governor’s message No. 15, inasmuch as those statements do not appear to affect the question of the justice of exerting military force against William King and his allies; but this House does controvert the statements on the part of the natives as to the cause of the quarrel."