"not let Maoris have arms which lend
themselves to such ways."'

One English gift Hongi had not converted into muskets, a suit of armour
that had probably been in the Tower of London. 'Another chief near
Wellington'--Sir George stated this item arising out of Hongi--'had been
given the armour, either to inspect or to keep. Anyhow, his interest took
the form of hanging it on a tree, and firing at it. The bullet, it was
alleged, penetrated the armour, and a native ran to Wellington with the
report that the chief had been shot. That was incorrect, for he wisely
wanted to test the armour before trusting himself in it. But the English
settlers, just beginning to arrive in Wellington, were disturbed lest the
tribe should fall foul of the representatives of a country which has
produced so treacherous a suit of mail.'

Knowledge of arms, on the part of the Maoris, had advanced; indeed, they
were in no wise tardy to pit themselves against British troops. Their own
success, or rather the want of success of the British, had brought about
this state of feeling. Careful, direct study of the situation, upheld Sir
George in the intuition that he must strike firmly at the rebellion, and
take every civil step that would tend to lay it. He stopped the sale of
arms to the natives, though for another reason than that advanced by Te-
Whero-Whero. Some fancied that his action might occasion discontent, if
not revolt, among the friendly Maoris. 'Well,' was his answer, 'if that
is a risk, we must run it.'

He gripped the nettle of land dealing, as between whites and natives,
admonishing: 'The State shall conduct it. Then, it will be seen what the
Maori has to sell, and the European will be made certain of a proper
title. We shall have a regular system, the State standing between the
parties to secure that all is fair. Thus friction may be avoided.' Again,
Sir George organised a native police force, which paid a double debt. It
not only waited upon law and order, but exercised a civilising influence
towards the Maoris, through those who were trained in its ranks. That aim
was at the end of all his plans; every road was marked 'To Civilisation.'

Next, Sir George took the field. By accompanying the soldiers, he was
able to gain a variety of advantages. He was at hand to sanction what
steps might be necessary, an advance on cumbrous despatch writing. His
presence was especially valuable when sea and land forces happened to be
co-operating. He