IN NATIVE DISTRICTS.

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It has always been a difficult question to decide what is best to be done for the protection of friendly Natives against the menacing arrogance of the disaffected. In the Taranaki district, between Stoney Eiver and Waingongoro, a majority of the Natives are decidedly in favour of the Government, but from time to time they have been disarmed, which renders their position a perfectly helpless one when the disaffected are guilty of any lawless conduct towards them, as in tho case of sheep-killing by Titokowaru's party, who were all weil armed with breech-loaders and rifles taken in our reverses. I am decidedly in favour of placing a supply of arms and ammunition at Opunako, say 100 stand of arms and 10,000 rounds of ammunition, provided satisfactory arrangement is made for its custody without making an exhibition of it. My reason for this opinion is, I have been informed by Hapurona that it is the intention of Titokowaru to go back to the district between Oeo and Waingongoro this year, about the autumn, to settle there somewhere; and I submit for the consideration of the Government, whether it would not be wise to be prepared for any unpleasantness that might arise out of their presence in the district, in consequence of tho ill feeling of the now resident Natives against them for tilling their sheep in September last. There are two considerations involved, and it is difficult to say which is the greatest risk, whether to allow Titokowaru to return to settle in the district with an armed party, and risk any eventualities by leaving Opunake and the Friendly Natives in a defenceless condition, or to place arms and ammunition at Opunake, with a few men on pay to guard it, and risk its effect upon the other Natives when the district is quiet. I have, &c, ' . • E. Parris,' H. Halse, Esq., Assistant Under Secretary, Wellington. Civil Commissioner.

No. 2K The Hon. D. McLean to Mr. Parris. Sib,— . Auckland, 12th February, 1871. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of 18th January, 18.71, giving me information as to the proceedings subsequent to the sheep-killing at Matakaha, and also your suggestions for the protection of the friendly Natives against tho menacing arrogance of the disaffected. With regard to the last paragraph of your letter, I deem it advisable that some degree of protection should be afforded to Natives disarmed by the Government on former occasions, and now evincing a friendly spirit towards it. Under the circumstances, you are hereby authorized to carry out arrangements for establishing a depot at Opunake, such as you propose, namely, of 100 stand of arms and 10,000 rounds of ammunition. For the purpose of guarding this, Mr. Patrick Wilson and eight or nine Natives may be employed ; the former to receive pay at the rate of £200 per annum; the latter, 3s. per diem, and to ration themselves. Garrison duty has been performed by Natives in other parts of the Island at a far lower rate; but in this case, the question of pay to tho Natives is left to your own judgment and discretion. It will be, of course, your duty to watch that the knowledge of a reserve of arms being available does not incite the friendly Natives to any overt act likely to produce hostilities. On no account is a single arm or round to be issued to any Native without your express order, and you will give Mr. Wilson stringent instructions on this subject. I have, &c. E. Parris, Esq., Civil Commissioner, Taranaki. Donald McLean.

No. 22. Mr. Parbis to the Hon. D. McLean. Sib, — New Plymouth, 9th February, IS7I. I have the honor to report, for your information, that a large party of Ngatitama and Ngatimutunga Natives, who went to Tokangamutu a few weeks ago for the purpose of concluding an agreement with the Northern tribes Ngatimaniapoto and Waikato respecting Poutama, returned therefrom to Urenui on Tuesday last, and from them I have obtained information of what was going on at Tokangamutu up to the 2nd instant. They report that there is a great deal of excitement at Tokangamutu in consequence of reports reaching them that they are to be attacked. That there aro about 100 under arms watching the approaches to the place, and that a good number have gone to support Tapihana and party at Pirongia. That on the Ist instant a report was received that Tapihana had fired on a European somewhere near Pirongia, and that the European had a very narrow escape. That there are 300 of the Upper Whanganui Natives, Ngatitu, and Ngatiruru, Topia's tribes, at a place called Ngaruawhaia, near Te Popora. Ngaruawhaia is lleihana Whakahoehoe's place, near the Mokau Eiver, inland. The Ngatimaniapoto are said to be keeping quiet. I have, &c, E. Pabris, The Hon. the Native and Defence Minister, Auckland. Civil Commissioner. 4