AFFAIIIS AT TAURANGA.

17

A.—No. 20.

After Ngatitamatera had cooled down a little I proposed to Moananui that, as Mr. Clarke and myself knew all the boundaries of the block which formed the subject of arbitration, that we alone should proceed there with the surveyor. He agreed to this, aud Mr. Clarke has promised to make a similar arrangement with the Ngaiterangi. As there are rebel Ngaiterangi and Paimarire Ngatiporou (ejected from Kennedy's Bay) the latter of whom have repeatedly threatened to take my life, living at Mataora, in the immediate neighbourhood of Katikati, I do not consider it expedient to proceed there at present, and Mr. Clarke, who ought to be the best judge, coincides in that opinion. If the Government will furnish us with an armed escort I will go willingly, but unless so protected I refuse to go, and, moreover, protest against any other European being sent there without sucli support. With respect to the latter portion of Mr. Dickey's letter, where he states " I am further to add, that unless this work is done at once the purchase will under the new Act have to bo abandoned," 1 hope that such is not the intention of the Government, as the re-opening of the question between even the loyal Ngatitamatera and loyal Ngaiterangi, will only stir up old feelings of strife and enmity. The difficulty of completing the survey is only of a temporary nature, and will be removed on the establishment of peace. I may mention that I have through Te Moananui, and also personally, urged on the chief Taraia Ngakuti, and those members of the Ngatitamatera tribe who have been in a state of semi-rebellion, the advisability of relinquishing their claims to the lands between Motukoura and Te Puna, as an atonement for the offences committed by them, as they have lost no land in the Thames District. Their claim, it may be observed, is not so good as Te Moananui's, as they have not upheld their occupation of the land as he did. I have reason to believe this arrangement will be concluded, and thus will be settled one of the most difficult land questions in New Zealand. I can assure the Government that this case is one which requires the most delicate handling, and that it has been the source of great anxiety both to myself and Mr. Clarke, and hope that the j)roceedings taken by us in this matter will not appear either injudicious or uncalled for, but that, in delaying tho survey, we have been faithfully serving the Government, who consider it to be our first duty to maintain and preserve peace and order among the Natives rending in our respective districts. I enclose herewith the previous correspondence and award in this case, and awaiting your instructions in the matter. I have, &c, Jami:s Mackay, Civil Commissioner.

Enclosure in No. 15. Copy of a Letter from Mr. Dickey to Mr. Mackay. (No. 636.) Native Lands Court Office, Sib,— Auckland, 13th September, 1865. I am directed to enclose herewith, for your information, the copy of a letter addressed to Mr. G. ~W\ D. Hay, from this department, relative to the survey of the Katikati Block, on which an advance has been made to him of £75. I am further to add that unless this work is done at once, the purchase will, under the new Act, have to be abandoned. I have, &c, The Civil Commissioner, Auckland. A. J. Dickey, for Chief Judge.

No. 16. Copy of a Letter from Mr. Dickey to Mr. Hay. ■ (No. 637.) Native Lands Court Office, Sir,— Auckland, 13th September, 1865. I am directed by Mr. Fenton to call your attention to the advance of seventy-five pounds made to you on the 15th January last on account of the survey of the Katikati Block, and to state that if it is convenient to you and the work can be done, it had better be completed at once ; but if there is any objection to doing so, it is desirable that the sum above mentioned should be refunded. I have, &c, A. J. Dickey, D. Hay, Esq., Surveyor, Coromandel. Chief Clerk.

No. 17. Copy of a Letter from Mr. Mackay to Mr. Dickey. (No. 255.) Civil Commissioner's Office, Sic, — Auckland, 16th September, 1865. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 18th instant, No. 636, respecting the survey of land at Katikati, Taurauga. I have the honor to request that you will be so good as to instruct Mr. Hay not to proceed to Katikati until he receives further instructions in the matter through this department. I have written to the Honorable the Native Minister on this subject. I have, &c., James Mackay, Jun., The Chief Clerk, Native Lauds Court, Auckland. Civil Commissioner. 5