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to the lease required any prompting to induce them to act in the manner they did. As Karauna says, "We should not have allowed the cattle to remain, even if Sir Donald McLean had asked us to do so." The Waiharakeke Block is claimed by opposing parties of the Ngatimaru and Ngatihaua tribes, and has not yet been passed through the Native Land Court. These two tribes are strongly at variance on certain land questions, and no agreement made by one party would be recognized by the other. Mr. Alley made an agreement (invalid) to lease the land from certain of the Natives, and placed his cattle there. The other claimants immediately threatened to drive the cattle away, and informed Messrs. Puckey and Clarke of their intention, requesting them to desire Mr. Alley to remove the cattle from the disputed block. These officers recommended him to do so at once, knowing that the opposing Natives would never allow him quietly to take advantage of the agreement he had made. Mr. Alley did not follow their advice, and his cattle were driven to Hikutaia. I did not think it necessary to go to Tauranga to see Mr. H. Clarke, as he had followed precisely the same course as Mr. Puckey, and recommended Mr. Alley, " for his own sake, to remove the cattle off the land in dispute between the two tribes." I have, &c, The Hon. the Defence Minister, Wellington. T. M. Haultain.

Enclosure 1 in No. 5. The Hon. Colonel Haultain to Mr. H. Alley. Sic — 26th October, 1875. I have been instructed by the Government to investigate certain complaints which you have brought against two officers of the Native Department, Messrs. Puckey and Clarke, in a petition dated , presented to the House of Representatives, and I have the honor to request that you will furnish me with the names and places of residence of the witnesses you may wish to call upon to substantiate these charges, and that you will state whei'e, in your opinion, would be the most convenient place for holding the inquiry. I have, &c, Henry Alley, Esq., Ohinemuri. T. M. Haultain.

Enclosure 2 in No. 5. Mr. H. Alley to the Hon. Colonel Haultain. Sic, — Auckland, sth November, 1875. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 26th ultimo, and to inform you in reply that I cannot at present find Mr. John Davis, who was my interpreter, who I am informed is in the Waikato. I am trying to get his address, and then I shall be able to furnish some of the witnesses required by me, and also to name the place where the inquiry is to take place. I am, &c., T. M. Haultain, Esq. H. Alley.

Enclosure 3 in No. 5. The Hon. Colonel Haultain to Mr. H. Claeke. Sic,— 10th November, 1875. I have the honor to inform you that I have been instructed by the Government to investigate certain charges brought against yourself and Mr. Puckey by Mr. Henry Alley, in a petition presented to the House of Representatives in 1874. I have accordingly requested Mr. Alley to furnish me with a list of the witnesses he desires to call upon to substantiate these charges, upon receipt of which I will determine where the inquiry is to take place, and inform you accordingly. I have, &c, H. Clarke, Esq., Tauranga. T. M. Haultaiit. [Similar letter to E. W. Puckey, Esq., Shortland.]

Enclosure 4 in No. 5. Mr. Puckey to the Hon. Colonel Haultain. Sib, — Native Office, Thames, 11th November, 1875. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of yesterday. As I have had as yet no opportunity of making myself acquainted with the nature of the charges brought against me by Mr. Alley, and as it might be necessary, in order to enable me to refute them, to have witnesses in attendance, I think it only fair to myself that I should be informed specifically what the charges are. I presume the petition is contained in the Journals of the House for 1874; there is, however, no copy of that volume on the Thames. If 3'ou therefore concur with me in thinking it necessary, in order to make a more able defence on this occasion, that I should have a copy of the petition, perhaps you would kindly forward one. I have, &c, The Hon. Colonel Haultain, Auckland. E. W. Puckey, Native Agent.