A.—No 20.

200 soldiers sent quickly to Taupo to protect us, and (to assist) to fight them here. Friends, send hither quickly. Here ends the letter to you. From your Mends. Hohepa Tamamtjtu, and five others. That is from all the Committee of Taupo. From Ihakara, Sergeant.

Enclosure 2 in No. 39. Copy of a Letter from Hoiiepa Tamamutu and others to the Aeawa. [translation.] Oruanui, 25th October, 18G6. To Whakane, to Menukukopake, to Pikiao, to Tarawhai and Eaukawa, throughout all their borders, — Oh tribe, salutations. Here is a word we send to be published over all your boundaries : the army of Waikato are going to Heretaunga ; an army to avenge the death of Panapa. They are on the move, now on the road. The chiefs of that army are Eewi and Kereopa. A word from us to you: Take your guns and cartouche boxes aud hold them in your hands in readiness, and await our second message. Should a second letter reach you it is an established fact that Kereopa is in this army, then bring your guns and cartouche boxes. We are carefully considering respecting ourselves until you arrive, that is, all the Arawa. Our plan is to let that army pass towards Heretaunga, and then attack them in rear ; but another of our words is if the desire is great (of the Arawa) to kali them at Oruanui, it is well. But with you is the consideration respecting these two plans. If the desire is strong, let there be no night and no day (delay). Ends the message to you oh Arawa. From Hohepa Tamauutu, and five others. That is, from all the Committee.

No. 40. Copy of a Letter from Mr. Mackav to Ilie Hon. J. C. Richmond. Civil Commissioner's Office, Sib, — Taurauga, 22nd November, 18GG. I have the honor to inform you that in accordance with instructions received from Mr. Whitaker, agent for the General Government, 1 left Auckland for this place on the 2Gth October, with the intention of completing the negotiations for the purchase of Te Puna and Katikati blocks, which had been partially arranged by Mr. Commissioner Clarke and myself in July last. On my arrival the Natives received notice to meet at Motuhoa. Hearing heard that the tribe Pirirakau had recently taken possession of the instruments belonging to some surveyors engaged in laying oft* confiscated lands near the Wairoa, I deemed it advisable to send a special notice to that tribe in case they might be afraid to attend in consequence of their unlawful proceedings. I enclose copy of the same herewith. On the 31st October I went to Motuhoa, accompanied by Mr Commissioner Clarke. We here found Hori Tupaea, Te Moananui, Wharaki, Maungapahata, Wi Parara, Wi Patene, Enoka te Whanake, Hehepa Hikutaia, Eaniera te Hiahia, Te Kuka, Te Patu, Turere, and all the other influential men of the various hapus of Ngaiterangi. On the Ist November the question about the survey of confiscated lauds was mooted. The Natives were informed that all the Government required was the 50,000 acres agreed on at the time His Excellency the Governor last visited this district; that I had inquired as to the quantity actually surveyed, and found that between the rivers Waimapo and Wairoa, and including Captain Heale's survey of Otumoetai West, there were 40,800 acres ; and between the rivers Wairoa and Te Puna, 14,200 acres, or a total area of 55,000 acres, being 5,000 in excess of the quantity arranged. I then proposed to give back the 5,000 acres, and to make the Euangarara Stream and To Puna Eiver the inland boundary of the last-named block, and leave those of the Waimapu and East Wairoa as surveyed, to include 38,000 acres. After some discussion my suggestion was unanimously assented to. Maungapohatu, the old and principal chief of the Pirirakau, consented on behalf of that hapu, and was exceedingly pleased at a reserve of 300 acres being made for himself and people at Epeha and Waikaraka. Some friendly Natives, who had lost considerable pieces of land within the 50,000 acre block, applied for reserves, and they were promised that their cases should be inquired into. The Pirirakau people did not attend at the meeting, and did not answer my notice of the 27th October. I therefore wrote them another letter, copy whereof is enclosed. The day and the next were occupied in negotiating with the Ngaiterangi hapus for their claims to Te Puna and Katikati blocks. The Ngaiterangi would not wait for payment for the above-mentioned lands until a survey could be made and the area ascertained, in accordance with the original understanding, but agreed to take £6,700 for their claims to the lands in question, exclusive of the deposit of £1,000 previously paid ; 0,000 acres of good agricultural land were also to be reserved for them within the block. The deed of conveyance was signed by the principal men, names as per margin, on behalf of the tribe. I gave them a guarantee for the money. Mr. Clarke and myself returned to Te Papa that afternoon, leaving a message that if the Pirirakau arrived at Motuhoa we would return on the sth instant. On the sth Mr. Clarke found it necessary for him to proceed to Maketu, and I went back to Motuhoa. On arriving there I found a letter from the Pirirakau awaiting me, as per copy enclosed. I then wrote an answer to it stating my intention of visiting them. They replied as per copy of letter annexed.

Enclosure A.

Enclosure B.

Te Moananui Hori Tupaea Hamuera Tv Te Xupu te Umehau Te Patu Turere, Timi, Harawira Hohepa Ilikutaia Te k iikii te llea Hori Ngatai Wiremu l'arera Tahere Enoka Mate

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AFFAIRS AT TAUEANGA.