E.—No. 6.

PAPERS RELATING TO EXTENSION OF TELEGRAPH BETWEEN SHORTLAND AND TAURANGA.

No. 1. Mr. Dixon to the Hon. D. McLean. Sir, — Grahamstown, Thames, 16th June, 1870. With reference to the Tauranga and Shortland [Telegraph Line, I beg to inform you that my brothers have returned from surveying the supposed route (this is through Ohinemuri), and we shall be prepared to send in a tender next week, together with a letter stating terms and time of completion. I have, Ac,E. V. Dixon. N.B. I shall visit the Piako Natives this week ; any communications you may do me the honor to send, will reach me through the Auckland Post Office. The Hon. D. McLean, Defence Minister. E. V. D.

No. 2. Hapi Rewi and others to the Hon. D. McLean. Sir,— Waihi, Bth July, 1870. Salutations. We wish to inform you that we are afraid of what the Hauhaus are doing at Ohinemuri. We have applied to Mr. Puckey and Mr. Clarke for some guns, with which to protect ourselves during these days. That is all on that point. This is another word of ours to you: Edward Dixon has asked us to allow the wire to go to Ohinemuri. We replied, "We are willing, but the wire is to break down the iron fence of the Hauhaus at Ohinemuri." That is all. Hapi Rewt, Kepa Raharuhi, Harawira, To Mr. McLean. Ngatikoi.

No. 3. Mr. Dixon to the Hon. D. McLean. Sir,— Auckland, Bth July, 1870. I beg to offer my services to remove the Native difficulties that now exist about that portion of the Auckland and Shortland Line between the Piaka and Waitakarura Rivers, and also of the Shortland and Tauranga Line through Ohinemuri, for the sum I offered in my letter of 17th of May, £500 ; £150 to be at once placed at my disposal, subject to such check or scrutiny as you may consider satisfactory. I have, Ac, The Hon. D. McLean, Defence Minister. E. V. Dixon.

No. 4 Mr. Dixon to the Hon. D. McLean. Sir, — Auckland, Bth July. I have to apologize for not forwarding the tender for the telegraph from Shortland to Tauranga, through the Ohinemuri country at an earlier date. But I have been inspecting the line, and also to the Piako. I have Been the Natives on the subject, and have no hesitation in saying that I can carry it right through, as the greater part of the Native owners have appointed me their sole agent or manager of their affairs. With reference to that part of the line between the Piako and Waitakarura Rivers, I visited the Natives on 28th June, and Pinehaha of the Ngatimuros has already given his consent to me. He is the chief landowner of the place. I wish you would send me a written authority to act in the matter ; and if my offer should be accepted, I have no doubt that I can arrange the affair and carry on the works without any hindrance, as I have told the Natives that the Government would not give them anything for the line passing over their lands. But if the contractor thought fit to do so the Government would make no objection. The Natives do not care as long as they get some money. I do not think it can be done for less than my estimate, as the Hauhaus are against Government works, and nothing but hard talking, with a little money, will get over the difficulties. I have, Ac, E. V. Dixon. P.S.—At the request of the Natives I have enclosed their letter.—E.V.D. The Hon. D. McLean, Defence Minister.