F.—No. 6.

IN NATIVE DISTRICTS.

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The road from Niho-o-te-Kiore to Cambridge, along the line known as the Toko-roa-o-Maui, part of the Patetere Plains, offers no engineering difficulties to a good road being made at a reasonable expense ; and any quantity of totara, for bridges and telegraph posts, can be got from Te Waotu, or the forest near Te Whetu. As far as one is able to judge, from the behaviour of Ngatiraukawa after the meeting, and from what I learnt from the Waikatos, no obstruction need be feared to the free use of the road—the majority of Ngatiraukawa being strongly in favour of the Government and the opening up of the country ; and, with few exceptions, the other portion would be also, but are held back, partly from the habit of receiving directions from Tokangamutu, and also from a feeling of uncertainty as to their position, should they declare themselves free to act, situated as they are, without the sanction of Waikato. There can be no doubt but that the meeting has had a most beneficial effect with all parties, and has tended to clear away many difficulties and doubts that previously existed, and, if judiciously followed up, and another meeting with the tribe held, according to arrangement, before further works are commenced, as far as Ngatiraukawa are concerned, obstructions on the right bank of Waikato will be removed. I have, &c, His Honor J. D. Ormond, General Government Agent, S. Locke. Napier.

Enclosure 2 in No. 5. Rewiti Waik.ato to His Honor J. D. Ormond. [translation.] To Mr. Ormond,— Taupo, 13th July, 1871. Friend, we have returned from the meeting at Te Whetu. The number of Ngatiraukawa who came to the meeting was thirty ; Waikato, ten ; Ngatiwhakaue, ten. There were twenty of us ;we were two days talking, and one night. The talk between Ngatiraukawa and Waikato was very obstinate. Neither gave way about the mail, the road, and wire; our word was very firm, which was that the mail was to continue, as well as the road and wire. The boundary that we proposed between Ngatiraukawa and Waikato and their king was on the other side of Waikato. But the man who called the meeting was very strong to cany the mail. Ngatiraukawa, ten in number, agreed to join the Government. The matter that was arranged quietly was, that the Europeans should go through between Taupo and Cambridge: perhaps the other will be agreed to shortly. Mr. Locke has gone on to Cambridge. I heard nothing of the Europeans being killed, which the people here had heard. I only returned on the 12th. All, from your friend, Rewiti Waikato.

Enclosure 3 in No. 5. Ngatirattkawa to Takaaekai, &c. To all Takaaekai, &c.,— Te Waotu, 17th July, 1871. Give heed. A meeting has been convened by your parent, Maihi Te Ngaru. All Raukawa, Tuwharetoa, and Waikato assembled at Te Whetu. There were two subjects discussed at that meeting: — 1. The Ngatiraukawa Hauhaus are all to join the Government. 2. The boundary is to be brought back to the Waikato River. The decision arrived at by these tribes with reference to Ngatiraukawa was as above. The Ngatiraukawa replied, but their reply was not satisfactory, because they are divided. Wo, the Ngatitukerehe, and Matewaka, and Ngatimotai, number seventy-four. This is exclusive of other hapus of Raukawa. The seventy-four here mentioned are of our own hapu only, and they have all joined the Government, and we have abandoned Kingism and Hauhauism. We have now permanently cast in our lot with the Government and all their works. It was through the words of Paora Te Amohau that our proper course was made clear to us ; and his words are the same as yours. He spoke them to Raukawa, and we gave them consideration. The result is, that we have consented to join the Government permanently. Friends, if the Government should again send the mail across the Tokoroa, and if the Hauhaus should Lave anything to say about it, or about us, (in the way of objection,) send a party of your people to assist us. Should there be any trouble here, let this request be acceded to by you. Let your European friends, Mr. Hamlin and also Mr. Clarke, know the contents of this letter. Maihi Te Nqaru, Henare Te Waiatua, and others.

No. 6. The Hon. D. McLean to His Honor J. D. Ormond. Sir,— Native Office, Wellington, 29th July, IS7i. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 26th July, 1871, covering Mr. Locke's report of meetings held at Te Waotu and Te Whetu with Ngatiraukawa and other Natives. 3