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FURTHER PAPERS RELATIVE TO

were also indicated by small inclosures made of pieces of split flax stalks. As the Ngatiawa present geemed to be of opinion that Ropoama's sketch was correct, I got him to explain it to me, and then copied it into my note book. As it is possible it may be of some slight importance, I do myself the honor to enclose herewith a copy of it. The names of the pahs are as Eopoarna gave them to me, as I am perfectly ignorant of that locality, never having visited Waitara. The plan was not drawn by Ropoama at my request, nor did I know of his intention to make it, it having been completed before my arrival; and to satisfy the Government that my seeing it was merely accidental, I shall place myself in communication with the Rev. H. Halcombe and Mr. Higgin on the subject and furnish you with copies of the correspondence. My reason for being thus particular is that in my opinion there is more reliance to be placed on the plan from its having been drawn by the Natives themselves and for their own information and amusement, than if it had been done for, or at the request of an officer of the Native Department. I have, &c, The Native Secretary, James Mackay, Tun., Auckland. Assistant Native Secretary.

Enclosure 1 in No. 2. THE ASSISTANT NATIVE SECRETARY TO THE REV. E. H. J. HALCOMBE. Assistant Native Secretary's Office, Collingwood, 20th June, 1861. Sir, — I have the honor to request that you will be kind enough to furnish answers to the following questions: — Do you recollect travelling to Takakaon the 7th May last in company with Mr. Winfield Higgin and myself ? On passing Pariwhakaoho Pa did you observe any Natives on the beach, and had they made any sketch or plan of land on it? Do you remember my coming from a whare in the pah and finding yourself and Mr. Higgin standing near the assembled Natives? Do you remember JMr. Higgin saying the Natives have drawn a plan of the land at Waitara? Did you notice roe speaking to the Natives about the sketch they had made, and my saying to yourself and Mr. Higgin that it was a plan of the disputed land at Waitara? Are you aware whether I remained behind sketching the Native plan into my note-book when yourself and Mr. Higgin went on to Walker's house? Your answers to the above queries will confer a great obligation on me; as they may be of some little importance, I trust you will be very particular as to the correctness of them. I have, &c, Eev. H. Halcombe, James Mackay, Jun., Collingwood. . Assistant Native Secretary.

Enclosure 2 in No. 2. THE REV. E. H. J. HALCOMBE TO THE ASSISTANT NATIVE SECRETARY. The Parsonage, Collingwood, June 20th. 1861. My dear Sib, — With respect to the queries contained in your letter of to-day's date, I have to answer:— 1. That I perfectly recollect travelling to Takaka on the 7th of May with Mr. Winfield Higgin and yourself. 2. That on arriving at Pariwhakaoho pa I observed a number of Natives sitting on the beach surrounding a sketch or plan of land traced upon it which an old Native seemed to be explaining. 3. You had preceded Mr. Higgin and myself to the Pa, and on our coming up you came out from a whare in the Pa, and joined us as we were standing by the circle of Natives. 4. I remember Mr. Higgin saying, I think in answer to a question from me, that the Native had drawn a plan of the land and fortification at the seat of war; and I also recollect his telling a Native whom we met at Parimahoi that the Natives were having a " korero" about the war, and had got a plan of the ground upon the beach. 5. I recollect noticing that you entered into conversation with the Natives about the plan, but my memory is not quite clear as to the name of the place to which you said it applied, but it probably was Waitara, at all events I recollect your stating that it had to do with the Taranaki disputes. 6. When Mr. Higgin and myself proceeded towards Walker's house, you remained behind joining us again just after we reached Walker's, but I cannot say whether or not you were copying the Native plan, though I believe that when we separated you had your note-book in your hand. I have, &c, E. H. J. Halcombe, B.A. James Mackay, Jun,, Esq., Curate of Golden Bay. Assistant Native Secretary, Collingwood.