OFFICERS IN NATIVE DISTRICTS.

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P.—No. 3a,

in Wellington that Horowhenua was a quarrel, and I did not know whether I should be involved or not; that is the reason why I have nothing to say about it on the present occasion. Many people of the tribe have spoken, and I am satisfied with what they have said. Pehimana: Salutations to you, 0 Governor, and salutations to you, Mr. McLean. Welcome to Whanganui. Eeturn me to my settlement (song) ; return me to Waitotara. I wrote a letter to you asking you to sanction my return to my settlement. I also said in that letter that if you did not give me permission I would go without leave; but consent to my return, so that I may go there with good feelings towards you. I w ras a hauhau and fought against you and the Queen, but Hori Kingi and the Governor asked me to renounce my works, and I did so. I was afterwards guide to General Chute, when he went from Whanganui to Taranaki, and fought against my own tribes, of whom I killed some. Mete Kingi: You have agreed that the Ngatihine should be released. Consent also to the return of Ngarauru to their lands ; there is only one person who is likely to create a disturbance hereafter, and that is Te Whiti. If Mr. McLean should require my services again in the event of a disturbance I shall bo prepared to go and fight. Mr. McLean : I cannot agree to what you now say about returning to Waitotara. I must have all difficulties settled first, and give this subject much greater consideration than I am able to do during such a short visit as the present. Meiha Keepa: You have released the Ngatiporou prisoners, whom I took only a short time ago, but these persons who are now asked for have been in confinement a much longer time, therefore I ask you to release them. Mr. McLean: I shall be glad to see some of the chiefs and talk such matters over with them, but cannot decide hastily. Three cheers were then given for the Governor and Mr. McLean, after which the proceedings terminated. Bth December, 1871. E. S. Bush.

No. 28. W. G. Mate, Native Agent, Alexandra, to the Hon. the Native Ministee. Sic, — Alexandra, Ist August, 1872. I have the honor to report my return from visiting the Ngatihaua and Ngatiraukawa, inhabiting the country on both banks of the Waikato Eiver, above Maungatautari. The former are, I find, rapidly shaking off their connection with the King party, but at the same time they endeavour so do it in such a manner as still to keep up friendly relations with them. In spite, however, of their efforts to keep on good terms, I notice a growing feeling of jealousy on the part of their Hauhau neighbors, Ngatihaua. With a view to try their position, Ngatiraukawa propose during this month to hold a meeting at Te Waotu, to fix their boundaries, as a great deal of the land claimed by them is occupied by refugee Waikato. The road by which I travelled was not supposed to be open to European traffic, and at Aratitaha a Hauhau party, headed by a man called Te Paekauri insisted that Captain Mair should give up a sporting gun which he carried, or that we should take another road. My brother explained that it was not a fighting gun, that they should have given travellers warning not to carry guns, and further that he would not part with it. I also informed them that I considered all roads open to me, and insisted upon being permitted to pass through. Finding that we would not give way, Te Taekawie withdrew his opposition, admitting indirectly that he had acted on his own responsibility. On my return, these people were very civil, and exacted a promise that I would return shortly to talk with them about certain matters in which they are interested. Great discontent exists among the Hauhau Ngatihaua, in consequence of the dishonest practices of the Kupapa section in reference to the tribal lands ; for instance, a large part of Maungatautari was let some time since by Hotereni Te Waharoa for a very small sum per annum, and I heard his brother, Tana, Te Kati, and other chiefs tell him that "he had stolen the land of the tribe, and that the lessee should never enjoy the use of it." Hote shrugged his shoulders and said, "It cannot be helped now, and if you disturb the pakeha, I shall be sent to gaol." Both Ngatiraukawa and Ngatihaua are very indignant at the reported sale by Ngatihinerangi to Mr. Firth of the lands leased by him from the late Wiremu Tamihana. I did not consider it my business to make enquiries in the matter, as I believe that the land has passed through the Land Court, and that the settlers hold a grant or certificate. Ngatiraukawa complain of the infrequency of communication with the Government. To remedy this in a measure, I would propose the appointment at Te Waotu of a karere to carry letters to and from Cambridge weekly. This would be a step towards the establishment of a mail through to Taupo. I have, &c, W. Maie, Official Correspondent.

No. 29. Eobeet S. Bush, Ngaruawahia, to the Hon. the Native Ministee. Sib, — Ngaruawahia, Ist August, 1872. I have the honor to report for your information that I proceeded to Cambridge on Monday last with the intention of visiting Wharepapa and other Ngatihaua settlements. Upon arrival at Cambridge I learnt that some of the Ngatihaua from Wharepapa were at Te Kuiti planting, and that they would not return until the cropping season was over. The people who had remained, behind at