EV—No. 4.

No. 1. The Hon. the Native Minister to Mr. Marsden Clarke. Native Office, Wellington, Sir,— 20th November, 1871. As it is of the utmost importance that roads in the Northern portion of the Province of Auckland, indicated in maps which will be supplied by the Public Works Department, should be carried out without delay, I have the honor to request that you will place yourself in communication with Wiremu Katene, member for the Northern Maori Electoral District, on the subject. It is desirable that Natives should actively co-operate in cases where assistance is asked from the Government by contributing, either in money or labor, part of the expense. From the advanced intelligence of the Ngapuhi, as a tribe, I believe they will be prepared to undertake the duty, and prove to other tribes in this Island that they are capable of participating in the duties and responsibilities of local self-government. I enclose three copies of " The Native Districts Road Boards Act, 1871," translations of which will be sent you when ready. You can explain to the Natives the purport of the Act from the copies now enclosed; also inform them that the Government is already predisposed in favor of such a measure if applied for, and readily acceded to tho application made in their behalf by their representatives, Messrs. M'Leod and Katene, and gave the measure their cordial support in its passage through Parliament. As an important part of the progress of civilization of the Native race, it will be very interesting to observe the success of this measure, as it will encourage the Government to proceed with further Legislative measures towards the extension of education, and in other directions, for the benefit of the Maori people. I have, &c, Donald M'Lean.

No. 2. Mr. Marsden Clarke to The Hon. the Native Minister. Waimate, Bay of Islands, SlK,— 13th December, 1871. I have the honor to inform you that, immediately upon my arrival in the Waimate, I placed myself in communication with Wiremu Katene, member for the Northern Maori Electoral District, and informed him that I had been instructed by the Government to examine and report upon roads, &c. He highly approved of my mission, and expressed his willingness to co-operate with me. I determined to start at once for Ahipara, and he kindly accompanied me. We arrived at Ahipara on the 6th December, in time to he present at a meeting that was being held by the Rarawa, for the purpose of settling a land dispute. The following day Katene related what had been done iv the House of Assembly, and sot forth the advantages of road boards and of education. He said that his not being able to speak English was the great drawback to his efficiency in the House. In reply to a question put to me by the Natives, I told them that the Government would do all they could to assist them in educating their children. I spoke of the absolute necessity of regular attendance on the part of the scholars, and explained that the acquisition of the English language was not the work of a day, but of years. They are anxious to establish a school at the Awanui, and informed me that they had written to the Government about it, and had not yet received a reply. I told them that I thought that the letter had never arrived at Wellington, and recommended them to write again, which they promised to do. A very innuental meeting has been convened by Wiremu Katene at Ohaeawai next week, at which all the tribes north of Whangarei are expected to be represented. Most of the European gentlemen in the district are invited. The object is to tell them what has been done in Parliament, and to discuss the Road Boards Act, Education, and other matters of public interest. I have &c, M. Clarke.

WORKING OF " THE NATIVE DISTRICTS ROAD BOARDS ACT, 1871."