Petition from Ngatiraukawa to the Assembly, praying that the exception clam might be struck out, and their lands brought under the operation of the Native Lands Act.

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

"Friend—Salutations to you, and to the members of the Council of the Government. This is an enquiry 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 prisonhouse. 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. 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 page lxxiii 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.