AFFAIRS AT TAURANGA.

63

A.—No. 20.

The surveyors were in frequent communication with the Natives, who appeared on the whole friendly, and it was not until Wiremu Tamihana's return from Wellington in the early part of September that symptoms of action opposed to the progress of the surveys began to appear (vide report, 20th. September, ISGC, D. 241). In the latter part of September a body of Natives belonging to the Pirirakau hapu crossed the Wairoa to the " undisputed confiscated land," took forcible possession of the surveyors' instruments and carried them off to the Whakamarama. An information was laid against the offenders in the Resident Magistrate's Court. A letter was written by His Excellency the Governor to Wiremu Tamihana blaming the Pirirakau for the outrage they had committed, and recommending Wiremu Tamihana to use his influence to get the instruments returned. The instruments have never been returned. In October the Ngatiporou appeared in the district, and gave out that they were sent to put a stop to all surveys of confiscated land (vide report, October 25th, 186G, D. 2G7). In the beginning of November Mr. Commissioner Mackay came to Tauranga to assist me in settling several matters with the Natives, in which we had, at the request of the Government, been associated. It was considered by both of us to be a favourable opportunity to investigate the cause of the late proceedings of the Pirirakau, with a view to coming to an amicable settlement. A. large meeting was to be held at Motuhoa, and a letter was written to the Pirirakau requesting them to attend. Before going to the Motuhoa meeting Mr. Maekay and myself requested the acting district surveyor (Mr. Warner) to furnish us with the exact quantities of confiscated land which had already been surveyed, to include the land that had been surveyed on the west side of the Wairoa. It was found that the surveys contained 5,000 acres in excess of what was really required. The Pirirakau did not attend this meeting although repeatedly invited to do so. Maungapohatu, their old chief, was present, and took part in the discussion. The 5,000 acres in excess were restored to them, and the boundary fixed at the Buangarara Creek on the one side, and Te Puna on the other. Within the block confiscated, a valuable reserve of 300 acres was made for the Pirirakau. Other large reserves were also made for other Ngaiterangi chiefs. The Te Puna and Katikati purchase was also definitely settled. Finding that the Pirirakau would not come to the meeting Mr. Mackay went to their settlement. All his overtures to arrive at an amicable settlement were met by threats. They denied that they had ever made peace with the Governor —that they would neither give land for their rebellion nor would they give land for money —that the whole question rested with the king " Tawhiao" and with William Thompson. The boundary of the confiscated land on the west side of the Wairoa was cut under the protection of a military force. No violence was offered by the Pirirakau, although they had threatened to destroy Mr. Mackay and the surveyors. It is worthy of remark, that the Native chiefs most prominent in the surrender of 1864, and the subsequent arrangement of 1866, were Mr. Mackay's most active supporters in this affair {vide Mr Mackay's report, 22nd November, 1866, and my report, 12th November, D. 276). No further attempt has been made to continue the surveys on the west side of the Wairoa from that day to the present. It think it necessary to be clear upon this point, as it has been asserted that it was the persistence of the surveyors in carrying on these operations on the " disputed block " which brought about the present hostilities. All surveys were now confined to the " undisputed " confiscated block. True to their oft repeated threats the Hauhau were determined to put a stop to all surveys of confiscated land in the district. Early in January of the present year the Pirirakau, assisted by the Ngatiporou, carried off all the property of a party of surveyors engaged in completing the surve3 r8 on the " undisputed " confiscated block ; the surveyors escaped only with their bare lives. Informations were laid and a warrant subsequently issued for the apprehension of the offenders (vide report Bth, January, 1867, D. 297). I think it hardly necessary to pursue the subject any further. I have endeavoured to bring the principal points in the matter shortly before you. The details can be gathered from the documents to which I have from time to time alluded—records of the Native Office. Other documents, which havo not before been transmitted through my own inadvertence, are hereunto attached. In perusing this report, you will not have failed to observe that the unsurrendered portion of the Ngaiterangi, backed up by the Maori King and all the evil influences at his call, are at the head and front of the opposition to the Government in the settlement of the lands in this district. It also affords a manifest proof that a mere handful of lawless and turbulent men can throw not only a district, but a whole Province, into disorder. I have, &c, 11. T. Clahke, The Hon. the Native Minister, Wellington. Civil Commissioner.

Enclosure 1 in No. 64. [translation.] Te Papa, 28th Marcli, 18GG. The arrangement for tlie boundary of the land taken by the Governor is this: —Mr. Clarke will settle definitely the boundary at "VVaimapu or at Mr. Whitaker's boundary, or between those places. When it has been decided by Mr. Clarke, that is to be the permanent boundary of the land to be taken by the Governor for the sin of the Ngaiterangi. Tareha, Kawiri Taipari, Kanapia, Arama Karaka, Hone, Matene.