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No. 2. MR. 8. DEIGHTON TO CHTEF LAND PURCHASE COMMISSIONER. Whanganui, February 1st, 1860. Sir — I have just returned from Waitotara, where I have been for the last week or so with Mr. Stewart. I am sorry to say that the Maories are asking for much larger reserves than I had any idea they would have done ; hut I think I can manage them all, with the exception of one which is so extravagantly large that 1 could not let it pass without referring to you. It extends from a pa called Perekamu, being bounded on the inland side by a stream called Ohie, and on the other side by the Waitotara river, taking in fact the whole of the river frontage up to the boundary line at Karewarewa, probably about 5 miles. I told the Natives that they should have reserves where their pas were situated, but 1 could not think of letting them have the whole block. They are very stubborn about it at present, but a letter from you would do a great deal of good. I have explained to them that 1 am simply acting under your instructions, and that whatever I did would be sanctioned by you. Hare Tipene andTe Kepa have told them the same. I am now commencing the other reserves, leaving that at Perekamu an open question till I hear from you, which I hope will be as soon as possible. In the meantime 1 shall write now and then, and let you know how affairs are progressing. 1 am sorry to say that a great deal of mischief has been done by some foolish meddling people informing the Natives that they have only to receive £500, in addition to what they have already got. Perhaps it would boas well if you alluded to the report in your letter to disabuse them of the idea. I have, &<:., S. Detghton. Donald McLean, Esq., Chief Land Purchase Commissioner.

No. 3. \88ISTANT NATIVE SECRETARY TO MR. 8. DEIGUTON. Native Secretary's Office, Auckland. March 20th, 1860. Sir,— I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 1st ultimo, reporting as to the Reserves which the Natives wish to be made in the Waitotara block, and to inform you that it has been referred to Mr. Commissioner McLean for his information. I have the honor to be, &c, Titos. IIenrv Smith, Assistant Native Secretary. Mr. S. Deighton, Whanganui.

No. 4. MR. S. BEIGHTON TO CHIEF LAND PURCHASE COMMISSIONER. Whanganui, April 28th, 1860. Sir — I beg to enclose a statement from Mr. Stewart, of the quantity of land at Waitotara, and the description of the same. Aropeta's reserve at Kai-iwi, as I mentioned before, will 1 believe be sold when this purchase is concluded ; and Piripi'n land at Pakaraka is held back for the present for the same reason. I also enclose a letter from Te Mutumutu " Topia," for His Excellency, which he requested me to forward. I beg to state that according to your instructious I proceeded to Waitotara, and have been amongst them a great deal since ; their impression was that the Europeans were hostile to them, but I think I have done away with that in a great measure by going among them and inducing them to come to Town as often as possible, when they might see that nothing wrong was in contemplation against any of the friendly disposed natives. I also went to Kangitikei and attended a large meeting at Parewanui, at which Mr. Taylor and Mr. Searancke were present. The natives about there are I am sure quite friendly, but have been sadly gulled and frightened by those absurd reports about the erection of barracks in different parts of the country, and sending soldiers to the outlying districts, and so forth. 1 took the opportunity of being at Kangitikei to go to the different Pas on that river, and with the exception of a few quarrels among themselves about land, they appear to be quite quiet and well disposed.

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