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No. 60. (Telegram.) Government Buildings, Wellington, 25th November, 1879. W. IT. Geaoe, Esq., Alexandra.—No. 1,937. —Hon. Native Minister understands that a meeting is to be held of all interested in the Patetere lands in January or February, at which the Government will, of course, be represented. Probably there is some error in respect to the meeting mentioned in your telegram of the 21st instant.— Richd. J. Gill. No. 61. (Telegram.) Alexandra, 2nd December, 1879. R. J. Gill, Esq., Under-Secretary, Land Purchase, Wellington.— Be your telegram, No. 1,937. There is no error as to a meeting being held at Atiamuri by parties interested in south end of block. Object of the meeting is to discuss the boundary between Ngatiraukawa and Tuhourangi Tribes, and push on survey of that end of block to Tokoroa. Tuhourangi Tribe is not likely to attend a meeting held at Waotu. Since receipt of your wire I have ascertained that Natives resident south end of block near Taupo not aware of a meeting to be held during January or February, and also seem to decline to attend a meeting held elsewhere than at Atiamuri. Following are wires I received from Mr. Mitchell on subject: " 4th November, 1879. —Teri and others are here to notify to you that they intend holding their meeting some time next month after Taupo Court rises re Tokoroa survey, and ask you to provide food—say two tons flour and sugar. They wish you to prepare your people of Ngatiraukawa to attend this hid at Atiamuri, so that survey of all Tokoroa may be arranged and started. The 'Taupo and A.rawa people interested at this end will be invited. Please reply.—H. Mitchell." " 27th November, 1879.—Natives di Atiamuri wrote a few days ago complaining of delay in holding meeting. I have asked Poihi.pi to answer your questions definitely. Taupo Natives are all urging Court to be opened.—H. Mitchell." —W. H. Gbace. No. 62. (Telegram.) Government Buildings, 2nd December, 1879. W. H. Gbace, Esq., Alexandra. —No. 26.—Tour telegram will be submitted to Native Minister in the morning. Petitions are now before both Houses of Parliament, signed by Maihi te Ngaru, Menehira Pouawha, Hangina, Ruteue, Era te Hauotu, Hoera, Peuetana te Rauri, Te Kere te Hamaka, Punoke, and 140 other Natives, protesting against the Proclamation over the Patetere lauds. The Natives say they have never received any Government money, or signed any agreement to sell the land, &c. By this you will see that there are further complications that require settlement before survey should go on. —Richd. John Gill, No. 63. Memoea-m-itm on Petition No. 17, Native Affairs Committee, Maihi te Ngaru and 143 Others. Land Purchase Office, 29th November, 1879. The Proclamation quoted by the petitioners, dated 18th April, 1878 (Vide Gazette, page 484), is almost identical as to boundaries with one published in Gazette, 1874, page 635 —land under lease for twentyone years. This land was leased in 1873 to certain private persons, and transferred to the Government in 1874. The consideration paid by the Government was £3,600 ; since then further sums have been paid to Natives claiming to own the land, £3,034 6s. Id. Several of the Natives signing the petitions nave received money direct from the Government. —Riciid. John Gill, Under-Secretary. No. 64. (Telegram.) Alexandra, 3rd December, 1879. Richd. J. Gill, Esq., Under-Secretary, Land Purchase Department, Wellington.—No. 32.—Tours, No. 23, to hand. The petitions you refer to were drawn up and signed at Cambridge in June last, whilst Land Court was sitting, after Messrs. Walker and Whitaker had tried to get Government to forego their right to about 80,000 acres of Patetere Block, but failed. The petitions were drawn up by Mr. Whitaker. I have no hesitation in saying that three-fourths, if not more, of the petitioners, if they are genuine Ngatiraukawas, have taken money from Government or from Brisseuden and Co., who were bought out by Government in 1873. But lam certain that a great number of those who have signed petitions are outsiders having no claim to the block, but were simply got to swell the numbers of petitioners. Even amongst the names mentioned by you I perceive several who have received Government money. Whilst at Patetere recently, numbers of Natives who signed the said petitions came to me and said that they had withdrawn, from same. Besides these facts, I could point out many other reasons for condemning the petitions; and before the Committees come to any decision on them I should be examined. I have taken much pains in the Patetere purchase, and have left no stone unturned to arrive at the true state of affairs in connection therewith in the Government interest. — W. IT. Gbace, Acting Land Purchase Agent, Waikato. No. 65. (Teanslation.) Patetere, 16th December, 1879. The Host, the Native Mintstee.—Salutation to you. When the external boundary of Patetere and the line to Manga Harakeke and on to Waikato are cut, we say that some of the words, good and bad, which the Natives have said, will all be heard at tire meeting at Te Waotu, when you will see which is right or wrong of the words of the Ngatiraukawa., which are against the external boundary of Patetere, and the line (survey), and the road to Kaharoa, Rotorua, and Patetere. We (the Maoris) speak of our dislike to Mr. Grace, as some say he befriends some; but you will hear at the Waotu meeting. We have heard of your words which condemned our anger; but why did you not answer our telegram sent on 16th of November last ? So end our words. —From Hekaka Waeeo and 20 others.