MAORI MESSENGER VOL. II.] AUCKLAND, SEPTEMBER 20, 1862.—AKARANA, HEPETEMA 20, 1862. [No. 14. " Good books arc like true friends; they will never fail us; never cease to instruct—never cloy."

THE Mangonui Runanga, being the second Maori Council held in New Zealand under the system of Native Government introduced by Governor Sir George Grey was opened by the President, W. B. Whire, Esq., in. the presence of a highly interested audience,, on the 29th of July, 1862. The popularity of the assembly was demonstrated by a large concourse of visitors, there being from 400 to 500 Natives present, besides many warm hearted Europeans.

The Mangonui District extends from Herekino Harbour, or False Hokianga on the West Coast, to Whangaroa on the East, being a coast line of 160 miles. The lands within this territory are considered to be of superior quality, abounding in cultivated grounds, for the most " Ko nga pukapuka papai, e penei ana me nga hoa pono; te whakarere i a tatou—te mutu te ako—te whakatina."

Ko te Runanga o Mangonui, ko te tuarua ia o nga Runanga Maori i Niu Tireni i runga i te tikanga i whaka- turia e Kawana Ta Hori Kerei, mo te Kawanatanga o nga iwi Maori,—i turia i te 29 o nga ra o Hurai, 1862, ki te aroaro o te whakamenenga, e tona Tumuaki e Te Waiti, i roto i te whakamoemititanga, o te katoa. I mohiotia ai te manawareka o te tangata ki taua Runanga, he mea titiro ki te reinga mai o te tini, e 400, e 500 ranei, o nga tangata Maori, haunga hoki nga Pakeha ngakau whakaaroha. Ko te Takiwa o Mangonui e maro mai ana i Herekino, i te tai Hau- auru, tae noa ki te awa o Whanga- roa, i te tai Rawhiti; haere ake te roa o taua taha paenga moana, 160 maero. Ko nga whenua i roto i enei kaha, e kiia ana, he momona; a, he nui nga ngakinga kai; ko te