IN NATIVE DISTRICTS.

7

F.—No. 6.

On 2nd May I again met by appointment that portion of Ngatiraukawa owning the country between Taupo and Cambridge, at Niho-o-te-Kiore, a crossing of the Waikato, about twenty miles north of Taupo Lake. Along this distance the road has been carried on by Native labour, and is so far completed that it is open for drays from Tapuaeharuru to Niho-o-te-Kiore. The chiefs Hitiri, Maihi Ngaru, Te Paerata, Pita Rauhiua, Tiniwhata, Tukorehu, and others were present. Maihi, and those chiefs who surrendered on the 23rd January, are still staunch, and a friendly feeling generally prevailed ; but owing to the intimate connection that this tribe has with Rewi and the King party, although the whole of that portion of the tribe to the east of Waikato may shortly abolish aukalis, &c, the remainder of the people still take their cue from the Kuiti. I have, &c, His Honor J. D. Ormond, General Government Agent, Napier. S. Locke. Sub-Enclosure to Enclosure in No. _. Ngatituwharetoa to Mr. Locke. [translation.] Tapuaeharuru, 27th April, IS7I. Tnis is a report of the meeting of Matuahu Te Nini, Manuera Te Tuhi, and other chief's and tribe of Ngatituwharetoa, which took place at Tapuaeharuru, on 26th April, on the invitation of Poihipi Tukairangi, Hohepa Tamamutu, Reweti Waikato, Hare Tauteka, Te Tuatara, Te lieu Heu, and Paurini, that they should come to Tapuaeharuru and confirm their unity; and also through the wish of their father Mr. Locke, at whose instigation chiefly the invitation was given, to enable him to meet these people Ngatituwharetoa. They met at 12 o'clock, and spoke of their wish to live peaceably as follows: — Manuera Te Tuhi stood up and said: Welcome, my friend Mr. Locke, and listen you and your children. This is the first time I have spoken to you. I and this portion of Ngatituwharetoa have now joined with Ngatituwharetoa of this place —that is to say, we have joined you and your children. I have now laid down to rest in Taupo. My war club is cast away from my hand, and it matters not now where fighting takes place, even if with the King, I will not mix myself up in their fights. Matuahu then stood up and spoke as follows: Listen to me, Omy father. This is the same word that has already been explained to you and your children; I will now lie down and make one (unite) Tuwharetoa ; formerly they were separated, but now they are one (united), and whatever fights take place in various places, I will not join in it; but if any person bring fighting into Taupo, I will then stand up (act on the defensive). The word about the King is—Leave him where he is, aud let us watch from here what his works are. Mr. Locke then addressed them as follows : Tour talk is good. It was the principal object for which I came here that you should all assemble here, and join together —that Ngatituwharetoa should all be united as one. A short time ago they were all divided, a few in one place, a few in another, living in different places ; but now you have come here I am glad to see that you have joined us, that we are now one, and that all our future arrangements will be for mutual benefit. I had long ago written to you, inviting you to meet me at Tapuaeharuru. I havo no thoughts of our former disagreements, and I was only anxious to meet you and hear your thoughts about the present and future. My sincere wish is, that we should all live peaceably together; that all the aukatis should be done away with ; that we should cease to live separately ; that all the paths in this Island should be thrown open from end to end; and that we should strive to find some clear solution of our difficulties. I have no thoughts of destroying the people, nor of ignoring their title to the land, but am striving to carry on a straightforward course, whereby the darkness that overshadows this Island, of which we are all, European and Maori, joint occupants, may be altogether cleared away. Matuahu again stood up and confirmed this combination, and threw his double-barrelled gun down before Mr. Locke, as a pledge of his having given up all idea of taking up arms, and of the formal surrender of Ngatituwharetoa to the Government, and of their determination to adhere to all that had this day been said in this meeting. They (Mr. Locke and himself) then shook hands. From Te Tuhi Takuru, Matuahu Wharerangia.

No. 5. His Honor J. D. Ormond to the Hon. D. McLean. Sie,— Napier, 26th July, 1871. I have the honor herewith to forward Mr. Locke's report on the late meeting held at Te Whetu Patetere with the Ngatiraukawa. As you were present at Napier at the time this meeting was in progress, and were aware of all the circumstances connected with it, it is perhaps unnecessary for me to give a detailed account of the instructions Mr. Locke acted upon. Mr. Locke's report shows that he executed the very delicate and difficult service he was engaged on with a tact and ability most creditable to him, proving himself on this, as on many former occasions, to be a most valuable officer. I think Mr. Locke deserves that his services on this occasion should be acknowledged, and I shall be glad of your authority to inform him that the Government appreciate what he has done. The ground gained at this meeting will, I believe, lead at no distant time to the formation of the road from Niho-o-te-Kiore to Cambridge being undertaken by the Ngatiraukawa Tribe, a large section of whom are now clamorous for employment of that kind. There was one point brought forward at the, meeting of our Taupo friends, which, fron* communications received since from Patetere, I incline to think will bear fruit: it was a proposal that those who wished to live apart, and have no intercourse by roads and telegraph with the Europeans,