E.—No. 4.

6

WOE KING OF THE ROAD BOARDS ACT, 1871.

purposes within the district. They may fix on Id. an acre, or Id. for two or five acres, or 2d. or sd. an acre ; but whatever they do fix upon is determined, not by the law, but by the men who are elected by the ratepayers themselves. Will you explain this to your friends the chiefs of the north, for I am sure that some person who does not understand the matter has given you an incorrect idea of what the law is on the subject of these Road Boards, and I wish tho tribe to be properly informed on the subject. The Act is not compulsory, and if after having my explanation clearly shown to them, and understanding plainly what the full scope of the Act is, the people still feel disinclined to accept the advantages it offers to assist people who have lands but no roads, to make roads for themselves, they need not have it, and the Government has no desire to force this law upon them. From your friend, Donald M'Lean.

No. 7. Mitai Pene Taiti to the Hon. tho Native Minister. To Mr. M'Lean,— Ohaewai, 2nd April, 1872. Sir, salutations. I have arrived at the Bay of Islands, and we have had a talk with Wi Katene and others, about the Road Boards. They related all that took place at the meeting called by Wiremu Katene on the subject of Road Boards, and the arrangement made by the Europeans of Pakaraka and Te Waimate about the Board, on account of which they agreed that the Act should be brought into operation within their district. The Maoris and Europeans all consented clearly. What caused confusion in the minds of the people of Matauri, and thence to Whangaroa, was the question of the division of the districts; it being proposed that Whangaroa, Waimate, Hokianga, and Te Kawakawa should be separate districts. Kira wished that there should be no division ; however, the Road Board system has not suffered through the division of the district; the Maoris and the Europeans have agreed to it, and the latter are pleased that the Maoris are going in with them in the formation of Road Boards. What has operated against the Road Boards is a letter from Wellington to Mr. Marsden Clarke, in which it appears to be stated that " The Europeans and all their land are excepted from the operation of the Act, the Act is for the Maoris alone." This has caused some confusion among the hapus of Ngapuhi, and the propriety of upsetting the Act is being considered. lam trying to find out whether that word is true or not, if it be true that Europeans are excluded from the Act the Maoris are right in their view, always supposing the truth of the statement. I wish this thing to be explained to me so that I may be able to state to the people what is meant by these Road Boards, for you sent me here to assist Wiremu Katene, Heta te Hara, and others, in the Road Board matter. When I heard from Mr. Marsden Clarke of the separation of the Europeans from out of the ,Road Boards, I had nothing to back me up. Wiremu Katene has said that the Road Boards should bo abolished, and now a question is being considered upon which, when a decision is arrived at, a communication will be made to you, perhaps in opposition to the Act, or otherwise. I therefore ask you to explain the meaning of the separation of the Europeans (from the Maoris) in regard to the Road Boards. Sufficient. Your humble servant, Mitai Pene Taui.

No. 8. Wiremu Katene, M.G.A., to tho Hon. Mr. M'Lban. Friend Mr. M'Lean, — Waimate, 2nd April, 1872. Salutations to you. I ask you to explain to me a question, of which I and all the people have heard, on the Road Board question. It is said that that law is for the Maoris alone, and not for the Europeans. I heard this from Mr. Clarke, and now it is said that it is wrong to have a separate Act for the Europeans and a separate Act for the Maoris. This is why the Road Boards are being objected to by the people of this place, including the Europeans. I therefore ask in what respect this IaAV divides the races, as I was not aware of any such division during the late session of the Assembly. Write to me. Sufficient. Your friend, Wiremu Katene, M.G.A.

No. 9. The Hon. the Native Minister to Wi Katene, M.G.A. Friend Wi Katene,— Waikato ? 31st_ May, 1872. Salutations to you. I have seen your letter of the 2nd of April, in which you ask me to explain the provisions of the Road Boards Act. You state that you have heard that it applies to Maoris only and not to pakehas. I carefully read the Act, and think that you are right to a certain extent. All lands which have been granted, whether belonging to Maoris or Europeans, are out of the operation of that Act. All lands which have not been granted, and all lands which have been adjudicated upon and for which certificates have been issued, the Crown Grants for which have not been executed, are under the operation of that Act. In my opinion, some good provision should be considered over, and added to the Act during the next session of Parliament. Your friend, Donald McLean.