A.—No. 20.

Te Kuka, Native assessor, then advised the Pirirakau to make up their quarrel with Ngaiteraiigi, that the boundary of the land for the rebellion had been fixed by the whole of Ngaitcrangi—that a deed of conveyance had been executed of all the land between Te Puna and Ngakuriawhoare. It was of no use disputing further. If they wanted the land they must take it away from the Government. As to the money Ngaiteraiigi would take it. If the Pirirakau were friendly they would get some of it through Maungapohatu, but if they were not and were not pleased, they might try to take the money by force—that the Puna was in the hands of the Government. Pukutoia advised the Pirirakau to consent to the proposals made to them, it would be better tliau quarrelling. Te Kepa Eingatu refused to give up any land; he had said before at Te Papa, if the survey was attempted blood would be shed, and if the survey was commenced blood would be shed. Te Kahulcoti Rota and others spoke in the same manner as the previous speakers. Several of them admitted their relationship to Ngaiterangi, but they were King's men, and would not be dictated to by Queenites. They said as to leaving the land to them instead of the Buangarara, even if it was given to them under Crown grants, we would take it away in a year or two. I said the Pirirakau could not be allowed to oppose the whole of their own tribe (the Ngaiterangi) and the Government would not permit them to obstruct, threaten, or kill the surveyors. As to the boundary of the confiscated lands, I intended to cut a line from the Euangarara to Te Puna, and would bring the surveyors and a party of soldiers to protect them, and would do it at once. They would not be molested so long as they remained quiet in their own settlements, but any armed party coming to the surveyors would be fired on at once. They had, therefore, better re-consider the question and arrange it amicably by giving up all claim to the 50,000 acres of confiscated land. And as to the purchased block they could take a share of the purchase money through Maungapohatu, who represented their interest. All these remarks were treated with the utmost contempt; one man, Parata, when I went into a whare, told me, in a sneering manner, that he supposed I would come sneaking behind the soldiers out of danger. If I would only come ahead of the survey party they would capture me and chop me to pieces (poroporo rawa). 1 replied, " c pai ana (it is well), wo will see about that." Te Kuka again endeavoured to persuade them to settle the question quietly, but without the slightest success. Several threats were made against surveyors, and against the Ngaiterangi. I again, warned them that the result of any attack on the survey party would be sure to be severely punished, and moreover, they would then lose all the rest of their lands. Euwiri Tataa then said, " You had better go and talk to William Thompson." I replied, "I am quite willing to go and see him ; will you accompany me now? If you will we can walk over the hill at once." liawiri answered, " I will not go with you, you can go by your own road that you came (by sea). You cannot go this way." Finding these people were not amenable to reason, I left their settlement, and we proceeded to Motuhoa. i remained there for the night. On the morning of the 7th, in returning towards Te Papa, I met Enoka Whanakc, Hohepa Hikutai, "Worimu Patene, Hori Ngatai, llamera te Hiahia, and other chiefs and people of the Tribe Ngaiteraiigi. I informed them of my proceedings with the Pirirakau, and of my intention to cut the boundary line, and take out a surveyor, with a party of men to protect them. They all consented that my plan was right, but asked me to allow them one day to go and talk to the Pirirakau and endeavour to persuade them to enter into the arrangements made by the whole tribe. I willingly consented to this proposition, but at the same time stated that if the Pirirakau persisted in their threats to obstruct the survey I would take out the surveyor and the soldiers and the lino should be cut. They replied, "If the Pirirakau will not give in we will assist you in cutting the line." I next proceeded to To Papa, and after consulting with Mr. Clarke, C.C., went to Colonel Hamilton, and asked him if he could furnish me with 200 men if required to protect the survey party. On the Bth the above-named chief and others started from Otumoetai. I accompanied them so far as Te Wairoa, thence I went with Hohepa Hikutaia to inspect the road to the summit to the Eangituanui Hill, and to fix on a site for an encampment, if it was found necessary to protect the survey party. We found all we required, and returned to the Wairoa. The Ngaiterangi chiefs came back about 4 p.m., and reported that the Pirirakau had agreed not to interfere with the survey themselves, but said another tribe would probably do so. This appeared anything but satisfactory, so I therefore wrote to Colonel Hamilton, asking him to send out 200 men next day. Mr. Turner, surveyor, was also requested to come and cut the line. I also arranged with Mr. Warbrick to accompany the force, as interpreter. I wrote a letter to the Pirirakau (copy enclosed). A party of 200 men of Her Majesty's 12th Eegiment, under command of Captain Markon, arrived at the Native settlement at Te Papaowharia, at 5.30 a.m., on the 9th instant. They crossed the river in boats, and marched to the summit of the Eangituanui Hill, where they encamped, at 9 a.m. In the afternoon I proceeded with Mr. Turner, his men, and a party of soldiers, and commenced the line ; the Ngaiteraiigi chiefs and men, as per margin, accompanying us. We met with no opposition. The Pirirakau had a I'aimariri flag flying at Waiwhatawhata ; two Natives came to the camp with a letter, and informed me that it was not a fighting flag, but only a Paimarirc one. Believing they had only come to spy, 1 told them, " that so long as they remained quiet in their settlements they would not be molested in any way. I did not care about their flags, and they had better leave the camp forthwith." On the 10th it rained so hard that we could not work, and therefore remained in camp all day. The 11th was Sunday. Wanakore, the son of the chief Maungapohatu, who was employed by me ■ to collect intelligence, came into camp and reported that several men of the disatfected Ngatiporou . were at Te liereatukahia, and were coming to oppose the survey. Two spies I had sent into the Waiwhatawhata settlement, under pretext of purchasing potatoes, brought me a letter from Eawiri 8

Enclosure E2.

Enclosure F. Chiefs :— Hohepa Hikulaia Wireniu Patenc Wiremu Parera Enoka Make 'J'e Wbsnalu Hamiora Tv llamira to 11 iahia Hori Ngatai Wiremn tc Matewai Ngamanu Mailii Haiti liainiora Tangiawa Wanakore Mangapahatu Enclosure G.

29

AFFAIRS AT TAURAXGA.