A.—No. 22,

silence said, "I, for one, give up ; I have finished ; I oppose the survey no more after this ; I see it is useless." This he repeated in the morning, in the presence of the Pakakohi. About eight o'clock in the morning Mr. Booth, myself, and Captain Cumming, accompanied by about forty men (the latter at the special wish of Euaraugi), returned to the village. As we were going down the hill Tito Kowaru and his tribe marched oft. I inquired for Te One, to whom I had given the ring (this man is a brother of Whare Matangi, who is absent up the coast). The reply was, "He has gone away, as he could not face the force." I inquired for my ring, when his wife handed it to me. I told the Natives I was very angry at his not being there as it showed a want of trust. He had promised to meet me and had failed to perform what he had said he would do. Had I wished to kill or capture any one I could have done so, as they must see ; but I had taken into consideration their having simply ordered the surveyors to return, without further molesting them; this WM bad enough, but had they acted otherwise, my course would have been very different. A Native (Wepu) took me on one side and said, " Send your men away and To One will come back and see you." I said, "Oh! he want's to murder, does he, that he wishes to see me by myself." The men returned, and Te One made his appearance. He and the other Natives were then told that the force would remain, but that Mr. Booth and myself would return to Patea; they said, " No, stay;" but we rose, and proceeded to return, and were ascending the hill, when they ran after us, and said, " Let tho surveyors remain, there is no occasion for the force, will you let them return ? " This was assented to. The Pakakohi present said, "Do not ask us to give our consent to the surveys, as we protested against them ; on that point we are silent, but we promise not to interfere or further molest tho work." This was all that was required of them, so I directed the force to march home, and the Natives at once offered to sell provisions, potatoes, &c, and invited the surveyors to camp in their Tillage. I have much pleasure in bringing to the special notice of the Government tho manner in which I was supported by the whole of the officers, non-commissioned officers, and men, composing the expedition, and it was chiefly owing to their untiring exertions that I was enabled to reach Oika by night and completely surprise the Natives. The conduct of Lance-Corporal O'llalloran (in charge of the mounted men) on this and several other occasions was so praiseworthy that I have (subject to the approval of Government) promoted him to be Corporal, and 1 trust this will be confirmed. Of tho zeal, energy, and activity displayed by Captain Cumming in assisting me to carry out what was intended I cannot speak too highly. It fully carries out the high character I have always heard to this officer, not only by his late comrades in Her Majesty's 57th Kcgiment, but by LieutenantColonel Lepper. I feel that it is quite useless in sa3 ring anything about him to the Government, I simply perform a pleasing duty in stating what I have done. Wharematangi has gone North, and, as I have heard, to sound the disposition of the "Warea Natives, and if he can get help he intended to oppose the surveys. He is expected back within a week, it is therefore my intention to retain the Native Contingent on pay until I hear further of his movements, unless disapproved of by the Government; this will enable me to avail myself of the services, at a moment's notice, of the force now at Patea. The volunteers from the Local Militia I dismissed on the day after my return, after thanking them for their promptitude in volunteering to assist me ; and I beg to bring their conduct to the notice of the Government. The numbers who volunteered are as per margin,* and they will be entitled to three days' pay each. I have, &c, Thos. McDomtell, Captain Holt, Under Secretary, • Lieutenant-Colonel, "Wellington. Commanding Colonial Forces, Patea District. P.S.-—I omitted to mention that as soon as I heard the surveyors were turned back from Oika I sent a messenger to recall Mr. "Wilson and his party from Hukateri, and before the force left Patea I had the satisfaction of seeing them arrive. They had not been molested. They returned to Hukateri on the 17th, immediately after I came back from Oika, and are now at work. Thos. McDosxell, Lieutenant-Colonel.

Enclosure in No. 1. Copy of a Letter from Mr. Caeeington to Lieutenant-Colonel McDonnell. Sib,— Survey Office, Patea, 530 p.m., 16th July, 1867. I have the honor to forward copy of letter, which I have just this moment received from Mr. Wray, and I have to request that you will have the goodness to take such steps as you may consider necessary. I beg also to inform you that Mr. "Wilson, with the other survey party, is now on tho left bank of the Patea, near Huketare, and intends starting the survey from that place the first thing in the morning. I have, &c, Lieutenant-Colonel McDonnell, Oct. Caeeington, Commanding Local Forces, Patea District. Chief Surveyor.

Sub-Enclosure in No. 1. Mr deaii Mb. Caeeington,— "Whenukura, 16th July, 18G7. lam sorry to say it has turned out as we feared. The Natives seem to me to be determined to stop the survey. I managed to get up near Oika, and proceeded to take the things out of the curt; however, the Natives now saw us, and sent three men and a woman to ask us what we wanted, and on getting their answer, immediately insisted on our returning to Patea to-night I had a look at tho • Patea Militia: —Captain Ross ; Ensigns Sergeant and Newland ; Sergeants, 3 ; Corporals, 4 ; Privates, 33. Total, 43.

4

PAPERS RELATIVE TO INTERRUPTION OF