AFFAIRS AT TAURANGA.

A.—No. 20.

41

proceed with a party of Ngaiterangi to Hakaraia's settlement, and demand that these disturbers of the peace should be given up to him." Keihara, a rebel and Hauhau of the tribe Ngatimaru, said he would also go to Habaraia, and request him not to support them, but to send them to their own country. Te Hira, of Ngatitamatera (who is generally a troublesome man), refused to countenance the proceedings of the Ngatiporou. The chief Tioriori says that he has persuaded the Pirirakau to remain quiet. He is desirous to go to Hakaraia's place, near Kotorua, and take steps to remove the Ngatiporou. Tioriori is also inclined to capture Kereopa, who, he says, is in the neighbourhood of Hangatiki, endeavouring to make mischief. At the Thames everything is quiet. The Ngatimaru will not allow any of the Waikato refugees, who recently left there for Kawhia, to return to that district, and they talk of expelling the few who remain, so as to prevent them from making mischief there. I consider them quite right in taking the first step ; but have requested them not to interfere with those who are living peaceably at Kaueranga and Te Puriri. A large political meeting of friendly Natives was held at Taupiri on the 4th January, which, in accordance with the instructions contained in your letter of the 19th December, No. 9-18, I attended. There were present the influential chiefs Wiremu Te "Wheoro, Wiremu Patene, Tamihana Tunui, Uatima, Nepe, Terekaunuku, and others, together with a number of the people of the tribes Ngatinaho, Ngatitewhanui, and Ngatitakinga. The Ngatitipa were not represented, owing to the dangerous illness of their chief Waata Kukutai. The chiefs Te Karainaine and Tamihana Pukere, and some other Natives from the Thames, were present. The subjects discussed were —what steps were to be taken by the friendly Natives in case of attack by the rebels? Also —as to the desirability of all agreeing to remain quiet in the district, and not leave it, as the surrendered rebels had lately done, in consequence of threats held out by the Hauhaus. It was unanimously agreed that the friendly Natives would not go out of their own district to fight any rebels; but, in the event of any attack within it, they would assist their European neighbours in repelling it. It was also unanimously agreed that no more Natives would leave the district to join the King part}'. If any person broke this promise he would not be allowed to return. Much credit is due to Wfremu Te Wheoro and Wiremu Patene (W. Barton) for the admirable and temperate manner in which they conducted themselves and led the proceedings. I feel very confident in the loyalty of the Natives who met there. The meeting was not so numerously attended as I could have desired, owing as before stated, to the unavoidable absence of the Ngatitipa. The Ngatihaua were not represented, owing to their being engaged in receiving the tribes who assembled to cry over the death of William Thompson. I was informed by Wiremu Patene (W. Barton) that ho had received a communication from Kawhia, that Matutaera and licwi Maniopoto had quarrelled in consequence of the disastrous result of Panapa's expedition to Napier, which was undertaken with the approval of the latter, and against the wish of the former. Some of the Waikato refugees from the Thames were lately at Kawhia, where, it is said, the King intends keeping them, and will not let them return to Hauraki ; the remainder had gone on to Taranaki. I would here call attention to an error, calculated to mislead, in a late report of Mr. Stewart, in which he says, " The Thames Natives had proceeded to Hangatiki, Kawhia, &c." This is wrong; he should have called them " Waikato refugees, who, until lately, have resided at the Thames." None of the people properly belonging to that district accompanied the Waikato refugees. I regret very much to inform you that the loyal and respected chief Waata Kukutai expired at Waiuku at G3O p.m. on the Bth inst., to the great sorrow of the friendly Natives of this district. By his death the Government lose a faithful servant, the place of whom cannot be filled up. In order to render him every possible assistance, I instructed Dr. Hovell, medical attendant on Natives at Hauraki, to proceed with Dr Gray, medical officer at Waiuku, to Taupari. They agreed to remove him to Waiuku, but ho died very shortly after his arrival there. The Compensation Court, advertised to be held at Ngaruawahia on the 7th instant, did not meet until the afternoon of the Bth, when it was adjourned until the 9th instant. It sat on the 9th and 10th, and has again been adjourned until the 17th instant, in consequence of the illness of the Chief Judge. This is very unfortunate, as the Natives arc short of food, and the Government will be compelled to supply some. I shall, during the adjournment, endeavour to settle as many claims as possible out of Court. Te Wheoro and W. Barton have provided a good deal of food for the meeting, and any further drain on them will reduce them to destitution during the next winter. I have, Ac, James Mackat, Jun., Tho Hon. the Native Minister, Wellington. Civil Commissioner.

No. 47. Copy of a Letter from lloiiepa Hiktjtaia to Mr. Halse. [translation.] Friend Mr. Halse, — Te Papa, Tauranga, 10th January, 1867. Salutations! Xour letter expressing the thanks of the Government to the chiefs of Ngaiterangi for the assistance they have rendered in settling the land which they ceded in reparation of the offence committed by their tribe has been received. Listen you, that is to say, you and the whole of the Government. We will never cease to support 11