A.—No. 22.

village, and finding that there were a great number of Natives assembled, I should say upwards of 100 men and women, I thought perhaps 1 had better retire. They were very positive in their request that we should clear out. lam sending this by the carter, who knows a little Maori and interpreted. I have camped for the night at the Ferry, near the mouth of the Whenuakura. I suppose they will let us alone here. I have, &c, Chas. A. What.

No. 2. Copy of a Letter from the Hon. Colonel Haultain to Lieutenant-Colonel McDonnell. Sib,— 25th July, 18G7. I have the honor to acknowledge your letter No. 17, of the 18th July, reporting the steps you had taken to prevent the interruption of surveys between Patea and Whcineakura. I have to inform you that the Government have learnt, with much satisfaction, that you have succeeded in performing this very difficult task, without provoking collision with the Natives, who were opposed to it. You have, by your promptitude, courage, and good judgment, obtained important results with very limited means, and I have to convey the thanks of the Government to you and to Captain Gumming, and to the other officers and men who so zealously supported you. The promotion of Sergeant O'Halloran is approved ; but you must relieve the Native Contingent from duty, unless you should have ascertained that further opposition is threatened. T. M. Haultain.

No. 3. Copy of a Letter from Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell to Captain Holt. (No. 10-1.) Patea, 11th July, 18G7. Sib,— I have the honor to report, for the information of Government, that as the survey of the land between the Patea and Whenuakura Rivers commences to-morrow, I have deemed it necessary to make the following alterations in the disposal of the Colonial Forces in this district. I have brought from Waihi, Captain Newland, 1 sergeant, and 19 rank and file, V.M.; from Turu Turu Mokai, 1 subaltern, 1 sergeant, and 14 rank and tile; and from Mokoia, 1 sergeant and 14 rank and file, to Patea, making the total force here G officers and 110 men, all ranks. To replace these men, I have taken on pay from the 11th instant, Lieutenant Wirihana, Ensign Poma, 2 sergeants, 1 corporal, and 50 men, of the Native Contingent, and posted them at Waihi, Turu Turu Mokai, and Mokoia, and as it is absolutely necessary to have an experienced officer in command at Waihi, I have put Captain Pennefather on pay, and sent him to that post. I intended to place Captain McDonnell in command as he will bo in the district. Ho has promised to give every assistance in his power in any way, but as his wound is still so bad, he was afraid to undertake the command. Should no opposition be offered to the survey, of course the services of the Native Contingent can be dispensed with, and the force distributed as formerly ; but if the Natives oppose the survey, 1 must have more men. lam anxious to avoid calling out the Local Militia for duty, as I know it would do a great deal of harm to the district by driving away a number of settlers, and there are only about twenty more of the Native Contingent whose services would be available. I therefore trust the Government will see the absolute necessity for reinforcements in this district if active operations have to be commenced. Since my return from Wanganui I have written (according to promise) to Taurua, and requested him to come in and see me, but as he has not yet made his appearance, I fear there may be some mischief brewing. I have made the best arrangements in my power to prepare for tho worst, but 100 men moveable is far from sufficient to promptly and successfully chastise the Pakakohi. I have, &c, To Captain Holt, Tuos. McDonnell, Lieut.-Colonel, Under Secretary, Wellington. Commanding Colonial Forces, Patea District. P.S. —Since writing the above, a Native has come in and asked what I had written to Taurua for, and wished me to tell him what I had to say to Taurua in my note. 1 told him I wanted to inform Taurua the surveys would commence to-morrow. The Native replied, " Don't do it, the survey must not go across the river." The surveyors are going out to-morrow without covering parties, and if opposed, I will, if I think it at all practicable, go with my 100 men at night and surprise Putahi, but if I find or hear they are prepared, I certainly will not attempt it without a much larger force, as ten resolute men could hold the place against a hundred. In the event of my going out with the whole force, I will call out a sufficient number of the Local Militia to protect this post during my absence. Tuos. McDonnell, Lieut.-Colonel.

No. 4 Copy of a Letter from Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell to Captain Holt. (No. 21-1.) Patea, 20th July, 18G7. Sir — I have the honor to forward a copy of resolutions passed at a public meeting of the 2

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SURVEY OF CONFISCATED LANDS AT PATEA.