A.—No. 30.

Acres. Capt. Heale's, Waimapu Block ... ... ... ... 3,204 Do. Otumactai West ... ... ... ... 2,800 Do. Otumaetai East ... ... ... ... 3,500 Total ... ... ... *55,000 *Memo.—Since ascertained to be ... ... ... 58,000 Less Reserves ... ... ... ... ... ... 5,100 Land returned ... ... ... ... ... ... 5,000 10,100 Total for Crown ... ... 47,900 J. Mackat, Jun. 25th November, 18G6. N.B.—Fully one-eighth part of the above is unavailable swamp, which will reduce the area of available land to within the limit of 50,00 acres. H. N. Waenek, Tauranga Survey Department, In charge pro. tern. 31st October, 1866.

No. 41. Copy of a Letter from Mr. Mackat to the Hon. J. C. Rictimoitd. Civil Commissioner's Office, Sib,— Tauranga, 2Gth November, 18G6. Referring to the statement in my report of the 22nd instant that the chief Te Moananui Wharaki had informed me that fifty men of the Ngatiporou were coming from Mataora to assist the Pirirakau at Waiwhatawhata, 1 have the honor to inform you that they arrived at Otawhiwhi, near Katikati, on Wednesday, the 21st instant, but hearing that Hori Tupaea had very strongly objected to their passing through the district they returned quietly to their settlement at Mataora. I had, with the chief Te Moananui* (with the approval of the Honorable the Minister for Colonial Defence), concerted a plan for their capture: and Colonel Hamilton had made all the necessary arrangements to aid in the same. A report was brought in yesterday that 100 men of Hakaraia's people passed through Aropi on Tuesday last (20th), on their way to the Pirirakau settlement at Waiwhatawhata. I went out yesterday afternoon to the Wairoa, with the chief Hohepa Hikutaia, to endeavour to obtain some further particulars, but failed in procuring any reliable information about it. Maihi Pohepohe was said to be the leader of the party. Wo returned to To Papa at midnight. The 100 men of the Waikato Militia stationed at Omanawa Creek to protect the surveyors, have not been interfered with by the Natives, and everything is quiet in that neighbourhood. A friendly Native named Ilamuora te Paid, who received permission from me to go to the Irihanga (Pirirakau and Ngatirangi) settlement, to bring away his wife, who was on a visit there, has been made prisoner by the Hauhau Natives ; five men are set over him as a guard to prevent his escape. Another Native named Tuari was also to have been captured, but he succeeded in effecting his escape; he brought the news of Hamuera te Paki's detention. Maihi, and some of the loyal Natives residing at Pukewhanake, near the Wairoa, who have cultivations and a store of potatoes at a place named Te Porepore, near Te Irihanga, have been stopped from proceeding there, and their potatoes are said to be now in the possession of the Twelve Apostles of Ngatiporou. To prevent any disturbance on this head I have given Maihi and his people some food. From inquiries instituted this morning I have reason to believe that the statement about Maihi Pohepohe, and the 100 men of Hakaraia's party being at Waiwhatawhata, is incorrect, and that they arc still at their own place at To Puke, near Makotu. A special messenger was despatched yesterday to Dr. Ncsbitt, who will ascertain the exact state of the question. I have also arranged for a spy to go from the Maungatapu settlement to Hakaraia's place to-morrow, to endeavour to ascertain their views. Mr. Clarke left for Auckland on the 21st, with the Honorable Colonel Haultain, I expect him to return to-morrow; I then purpose going to Auckland, unless anything particular occurs here. I have, &c, James Mackat, Jun., The Hon. the Native Minister, Wellington. Civil Commissioner.

No. 42. Copy of a Letter from Mr. Haise to Mr. Mackat. (No. 925.) Native Secretary's Office, Sib,— Wellington, sth December, 1866. In reference to a letter addressed to Wiremu Tamihana Tarapipi, dated the 30th October, on the subject of the survey of Te Puna, which was forwarded to you for transmission to that chief, but which you, with the concurrence of Mr. Civil Commissioner Clarke, thinking it unadvisable to forward, returned to this office with a memo., stating your reasons for this course, I have the honor, by * Moanonui of Ngaiterangi, not Tamemeha Moananui, of the Thames. —J.M.

35

AFFAIRS AT TAURANGA.