G.—B

34

On Monday morning, a deputation from these Natives waited on me at Poxton to enquire whether it was my wish that they should attend the Eangitane meeting, at Oroua, as required by Hoani Meihana; or whether it was merely an idea of Eangitane, in which latter case they said they would not attend. I told them I wanted to see them altogether, and accordingly we proceeded in company to Oroua. The result of this meeting was that each party was to be allowed to point out to the surveyor their boundaries as claimed by them without interruption from the other, leaving the final decision to the Land Court. Whilst I was at Foxton, I had an interview with Peeti Te Awe Awe and Huru Te Hiaro, two important chiefs of Eangitane. They strongly condemned the course adopted by Muaupoko, and declared their intention of reasoning with Kawana Hunia on the subject. Hoani Meihana said that Bince my last visit he had spent some days at Horowhenua discussing the question with them ; that they had then authorized him to forward an application to the Court for the investigation of their title, which he did through me. Leaving Poxton on the 26th, I commenced my return to Wellington, calling on my way at the inland pas of Ohau aud Waikawa, and interviewing the Natives in each. Matters were arranged here for the surveys to proceed as satisfactorily as at the other settlements of Ngatiraukawa. On the 28th, I met the Natives at Otaki. Matene Te Whiwhi and other influential men were present. I answered all their questions, and explained many matters about which they seemed to have some doubt, relating to surveys of disputed boundaries, procedure of Court, reserves, road making, advantages of European population located near them, and so forth. They promised not to obstruct the surveyors in the prosecution of their work. The Muhunoa Natives (Hoera Hukiki and others) asked what course they should pursue in the event of Muaupoko interfering with the survey of their district which is adjacent to Horowhenua. I told them in such a case to tell the Muaupokos that they were desirous of preserving peace, and would, therefore, communicate with the Government before taking any further steps. This they agreed to do. There are now three gentlemen engaged in the survey of the district, and it is expected the work will be completed by next September. 'there being no further urgent reason for my presence on the coast, I left Otaki on the 29th and arrived in Wellington on Sunday, the 30th of June. I have, &c, James Geindell, The Hon. the Minister for Public Works, Wellington. Native Department.

No. 43. Mr. J. Gbindell to the Hon. the Ministeb for Public Woeks. Sib,— Wellington, 29th July, 1872. In pursuance of instructions from the Hon. the Native Minister, I left Wellington on the 18th instant with the view of meeting Major Kemp at Horowhenua, who had telegraphed his intention of coming to that place to endeavour to induce the Muaupoko and Ngatiapa to withdraw their opposition to the surveys now being made on the West Coast generally, and at Horowhenua in particular, preparatory to the titles of claimants being investigated in the Native Land Court. I was disappointed, however, in my expectation of seeing him, as he did not put in an appearance at all during my stay there. I have since heard he was prevented from attending by illness. Hoani Meihana, Te Peeti, Huru, Kerei Te Panau, and a number of others of Eangitane, Ngatiapa, and Ngatikahungunu were there, and had been waiting for Major Kemp aud Kawana Hunia some days. On Monday, the 22nd, Te Peeti and Huru, tired of waiting, returned to Manawatu, and on the evening of the same day Kawana Hunia arrived. I spent Tuesday and Wednesday in discussing the question with him, and I found him much more reasonable than I expected he would be. He asked me a number of questions in the presence of the people assembled respecting the surveys, the intentions of the Government, &c, and my answers, which embodied the arguments I had used at previous meetings, he said were satisfactory. It was then finally settled that all opposition to the survey by Ngatiraukawa of their claims at Horowhenua, or elsewhere on the coast, should be at once withdrawn on the condition that Te Muaupoko also should be permitted to point out their boundaries to the surveyors wherever they chose, even on lands occupied by the Ngatiraukawa, and that the same should be shown on the map, together with those of Ngatiraukawa. I said the Ngatiraukawa had no objection to such an arrangement, and I offered to conduct a party of them, with Mr. Thompson, surveyor, to erect posts at the points claimed by them, as boundaries along the beach to the Government land, south of Waikanae. I told them the beach had been already chained northwards as far as Ohau, but from thgt point they could accompany the surveyor in chaining to Manawatu. This was agreed to, and a party of five or six were chosen by Kawana Hunia to accompany me southwards as far as Wainui and Waikanae block (that being the Government boundary), to erect posts on the beach. Accordingly, on Thursday, I returned to Otaki, and on the following morning they joined me at that place. Here I explained to Matene Te Whiwhi and others what arrangements I had made with Te Muaupoko, and afterwards introduced to them the party of Muaupoko and Ngatiapa, who had accompanied me from Horowhenua. They (Muaupoko and friends) appeared somewhat shy and reserved, but they were cordially welcomed by Te Ngatiraukawa, who shook hands with them all round, and rubbed noses in the usual Maori manner. Matene Te Whiwhi assured them that the Ngatiraukawa did not object to their surveying where they chose, that they intended to leave the whole question of their right and title to be decided by English law, and that they were very glad indeed that Kawana Hunia and his people had at last adopted their view of the case; and so the-