A.—No. 20.

inform you that I sent a Native of influence, who is connected with the perpetrators of the late outrage upon the surveyors, to learn the true cause of their late procedings, and to ascertain the temper of the people. He returned on the 22nd instant, and states that he did not meet with a very cordial reception. That at a meeting held on the occasion of his visit the principal man, Bawiri Pata, a chief of the Pirirakau, said that he was acting under the advice of William Thompson Te Waharoa; that he had sent a letter to that chief with a measuring tape,* and that he would not give up the articles and instruments taken out of the surveyors' tents, until he had heard from William Thompson. The act was a deliberate one, and had been in contemplation and the subject of runanga for some days previously. Its object—to stop the surveys on the north bank of the Wairoa, on the ground that the land belonged to them, that they were no parties to the Tauranga surrender, and that the Ngaiterangi had no right to cede their territory. It could be easily shown that they are of the inferior hapus of Ngaiterangi, and that they were always kept in a state of vassalage. All the Natives connected with this affair are concentrated at Whakamarama, a place in the ranges, about twelve miles from this. I have, <&c, Henry T. Clarke, The Hon. the Native Minister, Wellington. Civil Commissioner.

No. 31. Copy of a Letter from Mr. Eolleston to Mr. Clarke. (No. 712.) Native Secretary's Office, Sir,— Wellington, 2nd October, 186 G. I have the honor by direction of the Honorable Mr. Eichmond to acknowledge the receipt of your letters (No. 211 D, of 20th September, with enclosures, and No. 215 D. of 25th September) reporting upon the stoppage of the surveys by the Pirirakau Natives, and their refusal to give up the surveyors' instruments until they have heard from William Thompson. In reply I am directed to inform you that the Government approve of the course you have taken in declining to issue a warrant to apprehend Wi Hunia, and desire that you should continue your endeavours to maintain peace and prevent any action which may lead to an outbreak. With this view the surveys must for the present be stopped. I enclose a letter to William Thompson from His Excellency, telling him to cause the return of the instruments. You are requested to have this letter forwarded to him without delay. I have, &c., W. Eolleston, The Civil Commissioner, Tauranga. Under Secretary.

No. 32. Copy of a Letter from Mr. Clarke to the Hon. J. C. Richmond. (D. 252.) Civil Commissioner's Office, Sir,— Tauranga, 3rd October, 1866. I have the honor to report, in continuation of the subject of my letters as per margin, that g e pt. Captain llealc, who left this on the 29th ultimo overland for the Waikato, has just returned and informed me that the Pirirakau Natives would not allow him to pass Te Whakamarama, the place Sept. where the principal part of the hapu arc now assembled. Captain Heale states that the reasons they assign were in substance the same as those reported to you in my letter of the 25th ultimo, and that when he told Bawhiri of his intention to go in spite of their opposition, that chief replied that, if so, he would " muru " or take forcible possession of his horses, &c, as in the case of Captain Wilson. Captain Heale, under the circumstances, very wisely returned to Te Papa. These Natives, fully relying on the countenance and support of William Thompson, have assumed a very defiant attitude very prejudicial to the peace and quiet of the district, and unless they are at once checked the disaffection will I fear spread and cause much future trouble. The names of Te Kepa Eingatu and Eota ought to be added to the list of those concerned in the outrage committed on the surveyors. I have, &c, The Hon. the Native Minister, H, T. Clarke, Wellington. Civil Commissioner.

20, D. 241 and 25, 1). 245

No. 33. Copy of a Letter from Wiremu Tamihana to His Excellency the Governor. [translation.] Friend, salutations, — Waihou, 11th October, ISG6. I am still troubled with my complaint, and suffer much from the effects of it. 1 am also suffering from another complaint. Friend, do you hearken, the Pakehas are striving to survey Te Puna, and the Natives are striving (to prevent the survey of their piece of land.) Do not let their land be surveyed. I have consented to their wish. Friend, cause the survey to be discontinued, lest we all again become confused, because we are all now sitting in peace; but should the survey be continued we shall again become confused. * Taken from Mr. Hewson, one of the surveyors. Vide enclosure to report, 20th September, No. 211.

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AFFAIRS AT TAURANGA.