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NATIVE CHIEFS. 
power. The honor of these Chiefs would be staked to main¬ 
tain peace, and to prove their power, by arresting native 
offenders; and it would be their evident advantage to live in 
peace. Their having a voice in the Councils of the nation, 
would raise their importance in the eyes of their countrymen ; 
and whilst it would attach them to the government in which 
they had a share, they would not feel they were foreigners 
and aliens, but one with us. Having no longer, therefore, 
any reason to regard with fear the making of roads through 
their districts, they would be the very first to aid in theii 
formation, whilst, at present, they view them as intended 
chiefly to facilitate the movements of the military, and a great 
means of destroying their power and independence. Further, 
it would cause them really to try and learn our language. 
Another great object also would thus be effected—the 
acquiring land. If anything be calculated to give an idea of 
the general native feeling at the present moment, it is their 
views on the subject of land. The anxiety showed by Govern¬ 
ment to buy, and the effect that desire has upon the native 
mind, is very perceptible. Immediately a district is sold, they 
are made to feel that they have no longer any business in it. 
The injudicious way in which some settlers have ordered the 
natives from their doors, has been very grating to their feelings. 
It is true, many are troublesome, very troublesome; but the 
law of kindness should never be forgotten ; the doing so has 
caused many evils, by gendering feelings of revenge in the 
native mind. At the very time the natives of Kapiti were 
offering addresses to the Governor, expressing their sorrow for 
his departure, and their deep regard for him personally, the 
Governor imprudently broached the subject of buying Wai- 
kanae, when he was treated with rudeness, if not insult. 
On a former occasion, I accompanied the Lieut.-Governor 
to Puratawa, the residence of Rangihaeata. The old Chief 
seemed much gratified by the visit, and evidently regarded it 
as a compliment. He received us in the marae, sitting in front 
of his house, with his wife, or wives, and friends on one side, 
we placed ourselves on the other, where new mats were laid 
for us to sit on. After having sat some time, we were re- 
