Governor Has a Surly Reception

The “Southern Cross,” under date Jan. 28, 1860, says:—

“The reception of His Excellency the Governor by the Natives of Poverty Bay was just what might have been expected from the reception given to the Land Commissioner as lately described by us.

“At the school those who were under pupilage were of course polite enough, but the main body of the Natives showed themselves surly and disaffected to the last degree. They freely ask in the district what business the Governor has there bringing the Queen's flag amongst them.

“The runanga partakes somewhat of the character of a judicial and of an ecclesiastical court as well as that of a council. It is over nearly the whole of the North Island and had its origin like the King Movement in the Waikato. The runanga is the most powerful of the supports of the King movement.

“It appears to exercise undisputed jurisdietion over all the Native lands and while it meddles with everything it will not allow its decisions to be re-considered or delayed. Lands which have been purchased from the Native owners and paid for have been said by this Council to be restored to Native possession by the re-payment of the purchase money whilst unpurchased lands we are told have been made over by the proprietors to page break page 79 the Maori King for the avowed purpose of preventing them from being purchased by the Crown. The runanga works under the guise of religion and for the Natives' good alone.”