A.—No. 20.

36

PAPERS RELATIVE TO

Vide letter Sept. 26, No. 250.

direction of Mr. Richmond, to inform you that the detention of this letter has the very unfortunate effect of making the action of the Government almost inexplicable to Wiremu Tamihana Tarapipi, except in the theory that they are absolutely indifferent to their word. His Excellency's letter, of an earlier date, which has been duly forwarded, promises an inquiry without speaking of carrying on the survey in the meantime, whereas the letter which you intercepted qualifies that promise by indicating that the survey will be proceeded with. Mr. Richmond considers it very unsafe to detain one portion of a correspondence without being cognizant of the whole. I am further directed to point out how very improper the course you have adopted is in itself, besides being unfortunate in its result. Wiremu Tamihana Tarapipi makes a complaint against the local agents of the Government, and receives a promise that an inquiry shall take place, but the local agents through whom the promise happens to be transmitted considering an inquiry needless because, in their opinion, the complaint is without foundation, omit to forward the letter containing the above assurance. Mr. Richmond desires me to add that, although he sees no reason to doubt the correctness of your statement with regard to Wiremu Tamihana Tarapipi's grievance, it must be observed, however, that he speaks not only on his own account, but apparently on behalf of the Pirirakau. In either position Mr. Richmond cannot admit the principle of any officer of this department placing himself between a complainant and the Government, and begs that in future such action may not be repeated. I have, &c, H. Halse, The Civil Commissioner, Auckland. Assistant Under Secretary.

No. 43. Copy of a Letter from Mr. Clabke to the Hon. J. C. Richmond. (No. 291.) Civil Commissioner's Office, Sm, — Tauranga, 12th December, 1866. I have the honor to report for your information that everything has remained perfectly quiet in this district since the date of my last report. Many rumours of hostile movements have reached us, but upon close inquiry they have proved to be greatly exaggerated. It had been stated that Hakaraia, of Kenaua, had, after much persuasion, given his consent that hostilities should commence iv this district, that he, with one hundred followers, was ou his way to join the disaffected Natives, and that fighting would commence in earnest; that to prevent information of their movements being carried about they had sent away all Natives suspected of lukewarmness in their cause. Hakaraia's own relatives brought these reports to me, and affected to believe them. I, however, persuaded one of them, a native officer, to go and ascertain for himself the state of matters in the settlements under Hakaraia's immediate control. Two days afterwards the Native returned reporting that he had seen Hakaraia himself, and that the old man disavowed any intention of countenancing any hostile attack, and that if any such rumours had been set afloat, they had been done so by Maihe Pohepohe to serve his own ends, he concluded his remarks by saying—" Go and tell your Pakeha that Ido not intend hostilities at present, my day is not yet come ; that when my day does come I will make no secret of it, but will send to let him know that I am coming." The Native messenger reports that while he was there a party of twenty Natives from Puhirua (disaffected Arawas) headed by the chief Wiremu Katene, was on a visit to Hakaraia, the purport he was not able to ascertain. They did not view the presence of my messenger with any friendly feeling, but used violent language. Small bands of Natives are known to be wandering about from place to place in the disaffected country, but no information transpires of the object of their visit. The fact is established that all Natives suspected of bringing information away are carefully excluded from their councils. It has been reported to me on what may be considered good authority that Wiremu Tamihana Te Waliaroa has signified his disapproval to the Pirirakau Natives for inviting the assistance of the lawless Ngatiporou. I regret to say that horse-stealing is greatly on the increase, and guilty parties invariably retire into the Hauhau country where we cannot follow them without causing a collision. The Ngaiterangi chiefs have, at the invitation of the Arawa, visited Maketu on the occasion of the death of Haerehuka. Mr. Gilbert Mair, who was present at the meeting, characterizes the speeches of the Arawa chiefs as "intensely loyal." To-day the Arawa chiefs have returned the visit of the Ngaiterangi. I believe great good will be the result of this interchange of civilities, and the settlement of outstanding questions at issue between the tribes will be greatly facilitated. I have great pleasure in transmitting the copy of a letter from Mr. Mair, R.M., reporting upon the state of the Natives to the eastward of Opotiki. I trust the Government will see the necessity of continuing the services of Mr. Mair along the coast. I feel sure that the confidence of the Natives will be speedily restored, and the public service greatly benefited by the change. I have, &c, H. T. Claeke, The Hon. the Native Minister, "Wellington. Civil Commissioner.