It is a pity Sir G. Grey, K. C. B., did not, at the same time, inform "My Lord Duke," and the Aborigines Protection Society, that, at the time he wrote, from 400,000 to 500,000 acres of fine land, chiefly the property of the loyal and peaceable Ngatiraukawa, were excepted from the operation of "The Native Lands Act:"—almost as good as confiscated—the owners fairly bailed up, their rents impounded, in order and to the very good end that those lands might fall an easy prey to the Superintendent and Provincial Government of "Wellington. Verily, hath it not been written, "Man in his best estate is altogether vanity."

In 1865 the Natives sent a petition to the Assembly, praying that the exception clause might be abolished from "The Native Lands Act." The fact of their petition having been rejected is generally attributed to log-rolling. One honorable member, who has figured largely in the Ministries of the Colony, if not to his own credit at least to the infinite damage of the colonists' pockets, having promised to support the petition, afterwards gave as his reason for not doing so, that "He saw how the matter was going, that he could do no good, therefore walked out of the House." Another honorable member frankly admitted, "The fact is, we were obliged to log-roll!" Long may these two gentlemen live alike an ornament and a comfort to their adopted country. Long may they live, occasionally to represent the Provincial Government of Auckland in the General Assembly of New Zealand. The following is the petition:—

"To the Great Council of New Zealand, at Wellington assembled.

"Tawhirihoe, Rangitikei,

April 24, 1865.

"To — Mantell,—

"Friend—Salutations to you, and to the members of the Council of the Government. This is an inquiry by us, the residents of the district lying between Ohau and Rangitikei, what is the reason that Rangitikei and Manawatu are excluded from the permissive law of the Government of New Zealand ("Native Lands Act, 1862")? Rangitikei, Manawatu, and on to Ohau, are in your prison-house. Great is the grief that has come upon us on account of your having enacted two courses of law for New Zealand—one a law for opening (permissive); the other a law for closing (prohibitory). Rather let them all (both) be open. If you persist in closing up our small piece between Ohau and Rangitikei, great will be our grief at our imprisonment by you. page 20 It would be better to make the permission general, that there may be but one law for our Island; lest some live in gladness of heart, and others in darkness of heart: that is to say, they who enjoy the permissive law, have gladness; while to us, who are bound in your prison-house, there is darkness of heart. Therefore, we, the chiefs of the district, thus restricted by you, request of you, the members of the Government, that you will remove this ill-working restriction from our territory, and permit us to go on our way in lightness, joy, and gladness of heart."

(159 Signatures.)