E.—No. 4.

sufficient notice were given them, assemble at Maungatapere, and so obviate the necessity of a visit to that river. If His Excellency should determine on the other course, he will probably find it convenient to hold four meetings—namely, at Kaipara, with the Ngatiwhatua j at Oruawharo, with the Uriohau; at Mangawhare, with the Parawhau; and at Mareikura, or at Mangakahia, with the Ngatihine (Kawiti's hapu) and the Parawhau. The Whangarei Natives could be invited to attend at either of these lastnamed places. The Oruawharo Natives have erected a large meeting-house, in anticipation of the Governor's visit, and so have Parore's people, at Mangawhare. I should not have troubled His Excellency with this communication, were I not convinced that an apparent slight to Te Tirarau (however unintentional) would prevent his cordial co-operation in the proposed system of Native Government. I have, <fec, Walter Bullee, Resident Magistrate. The Private Secretary, Auckland.

SECTION IV.—AUCKLAND AND WAIUKU. No. 1. ACTING NATIVE SECRETARY TO H. MONRO. Native Secretary's Office, Auckland, March 15th, 1862. Sir,— A complaint having been made to the Government by Mr. A. Chisholm, of Waiheke, of the trespass of Natives on his land, granted to him by the Crown; and also of the injury done by them to his cattle ; I am directed by Mr. Sewell, to request that you will proceed by the first opportunity to Waiheke, for the purpose of arranging the matter complained of. I have, &c, H. Halse, Acting Native Secretary. H. Monro, Esq., Native Office, Auckland.

No. 2. H. MONRO TO ACTING NATIVE SECRETARY. Auckland, March 24th, 1862. Sir,— I have the honor to report that, in accordance with your instructions, I proceeded to Waiheke on Wednesday, the 18th instant, to enquire into the circumstances of the complaint made by Mr. A. Chisholm. I left Auckland at about eleven a.m., in a Maori boat, and arrived at Waiheke a little before sundown. I proceeded at once to Patene's place at Te Huruhi, but was disappointed at finding that he was not at home, having gone with His Excellency to Coromandel the previous day. Thinking it probable that Patene would accompany the Governor, I had questioned some of his people on the subject previous to leaving Auckland, but was told by them that I might rely upon finding him at home, as the sickness of his sister (which had caused his sudden departure from Auckland) would prevent his leaving. I started for Mr. Chisholm's place on the morning of the 19th, to ascertain the precise nature of his grievances. I found that he could not bring any specific charge against any one, either European or Maori. He complained generally of having lost a number of sheep, but how, or when, he could not say. His suspicions seemed directed more against certain Europeans than the Maoris. I told him that, as regarded the Natives, as there was no evidence to show that they had had anything to do with destroying his sheep, all I could do would be to induce them to remove from his land, if he was still determined upon their leaving. Having been instructed also to ascertain the correctness of a statement made by Chisholm, that a number of Europeans were occupying and removing timber from the Crown Lands at Waiheki, I hired a Native guide, and proceeded to a place on the North side of the Island, called Waihihi, about eight miles distant, where I was given to understand a number of Nova Scotians were at work. On arriving there, I found that the establishment had been broken up, and that the two principals, Messrs. McLeod

19

NATIVE AFFAIRS.