A.—No. 20:

I would here remark that, independently of the arrangement made by His Excellency, it would have been a manifest injustice to the other Tauranga Natives that the Pirirakau—the moat implicated in the rebellion, many of whom have never surrendered, and who are now the most troublesome in the district—should be allowed to escape without the forfeiture of a single acre of land, while their less guilty neighbours have in some instances lost nearly all the land they possessed. Mr. Jordan, on a previous occasion (soon after William Thompson's return from Wellington), reported to mo that he had received a missive from that chief, warning him against proceeding with the survey. Mr. Jordan also requesting my advice, I recommended him to proceed with his work and not to stop short of active opposition ; as soon as that was offered to desist, and not run any further risk. In my reports quoted in the margin, I informed the Government of the threats that had been held out by the Natives, especially by the Pirirakau tribe. The Natives named in the margin are reported to me by the Natives (and the report is confirmed by the surveyors), were the principal actors in the affair. These men have never surrendered. An information has been laid against Wiremu Huuia for stealing surveyors' instruments, of the value of £1G 10s.; but I have not issued a warrant for the apprehension of the offenders, knowing well that an attempt at capture would inevitably cause a serious disturbance, and perhaps loss of life. I await the instructions of the Government in this matter. I have, &c, H. T. Claeke, The Hon. the Native Minister, Wellington. Civil Commissioner. P.S.—Since writing the above, I have received a written report from Mr. Hewson, a copy of which I beg to enclose.

No. 202, Juno 26 No. 210, July 13 Wircmu Huni Kuwiri Fata Herewini

Enclosure 1 in No. 28. Copy of a Letter from Mr. Jordan to Mr. Claeke. Sic,— Te Papa, 18th September, 13G6. I have the honor to report to you that Wircmu Hunia, accompanied by several Maoris, who I do not know, came to my camp between the hours of nine and ten a.m. on the 17th instant, and whilst some of the party kept the two men who were in charge engaged in conversation or otherwise, the others took from one of the tents, a circumfercntor, two chains and ten arrows, and when asked by Mr. Dean to give them up, they refused to do so. My camp was situated at the time on the proper right bank of the river Wairoa, at a place called Euahihi, about eight miles from the mouth of the river. A half-caste in my employ had heard that something of the kind was contemplated, and was on the road to the camp to give my brother warning of it when ho met the Maoris with the before-mentioned articles going towards their settlement in the bush. He asked them what they were going to do with it, when they told him that as I would take no notice of William Thompson's letter telling mo to leave off'surveying the lands on the left bank of the Wairoa, they had taken the articles with the intention of stopping the work, and that if I persisted in the work they would resist. The letter referred to was the same I duly forwarded for your consideration, together with a request that you would give some advice respecting their previous annoyances. Under the circumstances above related, I did not consider it safe to remain till I had consulted you on the subject. I have consequently given orders to have the camp removed, pending your advice. You will oblige by letting me know as early as possible what steps I had better take for the recovery of the articles, and whether you consider it safe to continue the survey ; and also, if you will certify that it is not without sufficient reason that I have discontinued the work, with a view to my future remuneration for loss of time and expense of removing, &c. Charlie the half-caste will bo in Te Papa early to-morrow morning to give you any further information you may require. I have, &c, BICHARD C. JORDON, To Mr. Clarke. Government Surveyor.

Enclosure 2 in No. 28. Copy of a Letter from W. Tamiiiana Te Wahaeoa to Mr. Claeke. [translation.] To Mr. Clarke at Te Papa,— Motulioa, 23rd August, 1866. This is a request of mine to you. When I arrived here I heard you were living in trouble, the reason, because the survey has crossed to this side of the Wairoa and other places of Tauranga, that is, the places which the Natives have agreed should be surveyed. I have heard that the surveys have reached those places, and that the chain has been taken twice on this side of Te Wairoa, and twice on another place. Now do you hearken. I agree to their sending back that chain. This is a decided word of mine to you. Stop your work ; let it cease at Te Wairoa and at Waimapu on the other side; do not persist determining. Let your remembrance be towards me. 1 have been in your presence. Leave with me the disputed boundary. These are the days of clear thoughts ; let matters also be conducted clearly. Enough. Send my letter to my friends at Wellington; that is this letter. Do you write to them. Enough. W. Tamihana Te Wahaeoa. 6

AFFAIRS AT TAURANGA.

21