E—No. 9 Sec. IV.

Hohaia and Kapareere, two of the leading men of the Ngatipukeko and principal of the Runanga, stated that the principal source of their trouble arises from the supply of spirits which this man, Te Uwhi, obtains from the European vessels visiting Whakatane; that it was managed in such a way that it was impossible to get information so as to prosecute. It was under the influence of spirits this man generally committed his outrages. In the case above referred to it was clearly so. I told them that the Governor had prohibited the sending of spirits along the East Coast as far as Ohiwa, and that I believed it would be extended if it were the general wish of the people. I told them that I had done what I could in the matter, and had recommended that it should be stopped along the coast as far as Tauranga. " Well, they said, if it is left till the principal men consent it will never be done, as they are the very men who encourage the evil to the cost of the unoffending tribes." December 2nd.—l returned to Whakatane, and found the Natives assembling to meet us. In the evening had a meeting—the subject, a proposition made by the " Whanau o Opanui" and Ngaitai tribes, to the Bishop of Waiapu, to give over the whole block of disputed land (extending six miles) about which they fought about four years ago, and which still remains unsettled, to be held in trust by him. The condition is that the land is to be abandoned by both parties. Kawakura, the principal speaker, strongly objects to this arrangement for two reasons: first, both parties were required to abandon a level piece of cultivated land (a desideratum in that part of the country), and secondly (the more weighty with the objector), by giving up this piece of land, he would relinquish the only piece of land he had any claim to. They represented that even under the proposed plan it would be a fruitful source of quarrel. He proposed as an amendment that both parties might be induced to give up the piece of land lying between the two pas; this would answer all the purpose, and satisfy their own prejudices of cultivating the land upon which the blood of their friends had been spilt. I am inclined to think, with Kawakura, the piece of land lying between the two pas —about threequarters of a mile distant apart, is a swamp and the loss of it would be very little felt by either party. 1 promised to talk to the Tumapahore Natives, and advocate the plan proposed by Kawakura. 3rd.— Started for Opotiki. Was detained four hours at Ohiwa. The want of a ferry across this place is very much felt; it is the greatest drawback in the whole route along the coast. There are only two states of tide when horses can be crossed with safety, and added to this inconvenience travellers are often kept here a whole day for want of a canoe. It would be a great boon to both Natives and Europeans if the Government would make some provision for establishing a ferry across this place. Arrived at Opotiki about 3 o'clock, p.m. Poihipi, the Assessor, was absent. A deputation of Natives, headed by Timoti, the principal Native teacher in connexion with the Church Mission a man of some influence, came to levy charges against Poihipi. First, they accused him of appropriating the money of the Runanga to his own use; secondly, that he was addicted to drunkenness. I explained to him, that let Poihipi be ever so much to blame, it would be unfair to condemn him unheard or even offer an opinion as to the correctness of the statements he had advanced. I told Timoti I could not wait now, but that when I returned from the Kaha I would hear the case. Wrote to Poihipi appointing the 18th. From what I can gather, the Wakatohea are in a better state now with regard to themselves than they have been since I have been appointed to the district. Perhaps it is that their Runanga is divided and the one part is a check upon the other. I have been making enquiries as to what passed during the visit of the Waikato. The only information I can gather is that they held secret meetings, no person being present but those who could be depended upon ; any one who was supposed to favor the other side of the question was carefully excluded ; what passed at these meetings has not transpired. The Natives have within the last two or three months beeu making a great number of cartouch boxes, but for what purpose these warlike preparations are being made it is impossible to say. It is generally supposed that these people hold a larger quantity of gunpowder than any other tribe in New Zealand. 4th. —Started for Temapahore ; arrivedabout 4 o'clock, p.m. Natives absent at their cultivations, with the exception of a few who remained at home to receive us. They are very late with their kumara planting this season, from what cause I do not know; perhaps it is that they are unsettled on account of the uncertainty of their future proceedings with regard to Temapahore. In the evening the people began to assemble. William King, the young man proposed by the people to be appointed Assessor (vide last report of visit to the Kaha) came to me accompanied by the Runanga of the place, to give me an oral account of all that had transpired 6ince my last visit, and to ask my approval or dissent; but the cases were of such a clear and simple nature, that there could be only sne common, sense conclusion. Their greatest trouble seems to be with "Te Whanau o Opanui ;" although they carry on to all appearance a friendly intercourse, there is an under current of ill-blood felt by both parties arising out of their late disastrous quarrel. I, as I promised Kawakura, spoke of the proposition made to the Bishop of Waiapu respecting the piece of land they are now occupying. Wiremu Kingi said it was his own opinion, but that other of his people thought differently, that as they were not able to agree upon a better settlement, if they gave up the piece of land between the two pas the desired object would be attained. I should be very sorry if the Ngaitai, one of the most orderly aud interesting tribes in the Bay of Plenty, were obliged to leave their large cultivations here and occupy Torere, a much more contracted situation; but they are unfortunately placed between two powerful neighbours, the Whakatohea on the one side and the " Whanau o Opanui" on the other, who watch every opportunity of making encroachments. sth.—Walked to Pakoriri—" Te Whanau o Opanui" Pa. Found Ngatawa (the probationary Assessor), Paora, and others waiting for me. Ngatawa is very active and seems to have considerable influence with his tribe. He, as Wiremu Kingi had done, gave me an oral report of all his proceedings. I provided him with a blank book and told him that the more satisfactory way would be, for the future, to keep records of all cases brought before him. He asked my advice with respect to fees and

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BAY OF PLENTY.