A.—No. 20.

easily be concentrated at that point without the least chance of discovery, and fall either upon Tauranga or Maketu with telling effect. I know of my own personal knowledge that Hakaraia has sent emissaries to Waikato. The Government may rely upon my doing my utmost to preserve peace in these districts, and at the same time carefully watch the course of events with a view of guarding against surprise. I have arranged to meet Dr. Nesbitt and Mr. Mair on the 30th instant, at Maketu, to confer upon these subjects, and to make arrangements about the distribution of food among the Arawa. I have, &c, Henby T. Claeke, The Hon. J. C. Richmond, Native Minister. Civil Commissioner.

No. 36. Copy of a Memorandum by Mr. Mackat. A Native named Wahaika has reported to Hohepa Hikutaia that on last Tuesday he was on his way to Oropi (an inland settlement near the external boundary of the Waimapu Block), when he met a Native named Te Peka, who told him not to go on or he would be killed. That he was a man from the Queen's side, and would be killed. Whaika asked, "by whom, &c." Peka replied, " that 100 men of Ifakaraia's fighting party were at Oropi, under Maihi Pohepohe, on their way to assist the Pirirakau." A Native named Tuari, of the Wairoa, reports that Hamuera te Paid, who lately asked me for permission to go to bring his wife from the Pirirakau settlement, has been made a jmsoner by the rebels. That he, Tuari, was nearly detained also, but managed to escape. All friendly Natives going there are to be taken prisoners, but not to be killed. 25th November, 1866. James Mackat, Jun. Mr. Mackay is gone to the Wairoa to-day to put the men stationed there on the alert, and to obtain further information. 25th November, 186 G. W. Rollestok.

No. 37. Copy of a Letter from Mr. Claeke to the Hon. J. C. Richmond. (D. 276.) Civil Commissioner's Office, Sib, — Tauranga, 12th November, 1866. By reference to my letters of dates and numbers quoted in the margin, I reported to the Government that the Natives of the Pirirakau hapu (a section of the Ngaiterangi), had stopped the survey of the north-west side of the Wairoa, and had taken the surveyor's instruments. I also stated in my letter of the 24th October, No. 254, that it had been verbally reported to me that the surveyor's instruments had been returned to the house of a settler named Johnson. I regret to say that I was misinformed, and that the instruments are still in their hands. I have now the honor to report, for the information of the Government, that at a large meeting of the Tauranga Natives, held at Motuhoa, at which Mr. Commissioner Mackay and myself were present, the extension of the confiscated land on the west side of the Wairoa was fully discussed, and an amicable and satisfactory arrangement was come to. The Pirirakau were repeatedly invited to attend this meeting, but failed to do so. We returned from Motuhoa on the evening of the 3rd, leaving a message that it was our intention to return on the Monday morning, and should the Pirirakau still absent themselves, to go to their settlements in the ranges. At this juncture, I regret to say, I could not take any further active part in assisting Mr. Mackay, being confined to the house by serious indisposition. Mr. Mackay went on Monday and was met on the road by a Native, with a letter, requesting him to keep away; to this Mr. Mackay replied that his intention was, once for all, to settle the matters likely to create dispute in this district, and that his only object was to come to an amicablo arrangement. Mr. Mackay went to the settlement of the disaffected, accompanied by a Native, Te Kuka, a chief nearly connected with the parties, and although Mr. Maekay used every means to come to a good understanding, by telling them " that the confiscated block had been definitely settled by the Ngaiterangi chiefs, amongst whom were Hori Tupaea and Maungapohatu, and that he wished them to fall in with that arrangement ; " they flatly refused to listen to all Mr. Mackay's proposals, and threatened to tomahawk both Mr. Mackay and the surveyors if they attempted to prosecute the survey. When Mr. Mackay had exhausted every means of conciliation, he told them that the Government could not allow the district to remain in an unsettled state any longer, and that therefore he would go out on the following day with the surveyors and, if necessary, a party of soldiers, to protect them. On the following day the Ngaiterangi chiefs begged Mr. Mackay to put off his intention till they had had an opportunity of reasoning with the Pirirakau. This was accorded, but without any other result than a reiteration of their intention to kill the surveyors. Mr. Mackay, on the return of the Ngaiterangi chief, finding that all means to arrive at a just settlement of the disputed question had been exhausted, wrote the enclosed letter to the Officer commanding the Troops in this district, requesting to be furnished with a protecting party of 200 men, which was directly granted. A body of soldiers went out with the surveyors on to the ground on the 9th instant, and on arriving there Mr. Mackay acquainted the hostile Natives that the soldiers were not to provoke an 7

Sept. 20, No. 241. Sept. 25, No. 245.

25

AFFAIRS AT TAURANGA.