IN NATIVE DISTRICTS.

A—No. 10.

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are Government Natives, and about 150 Hauhaus. The red dotted line shows the general outline of the boundaries of the Ngatituwharetoa, although they are connected by intermarriage, &c, with the Arawas on one side of the Island, and AVanganui people on the other. The blue dotted line tinted red shows where the Hauhau portion of the tribe reside. The Government Natives are very anxious to have the roads opened, and a settlement made in the district. I believe that a force of not less than 300 fighting men, partly Europeans partly Maoris, placed in a central part ofthe Taupo district (say Nukuhau), from the commanding position they would occupy, would tend more to the final settlement of the war, and the thorough opening up of the country, and have greater influence, than a much larger force could possibly exercise on the coast; more especially if, in conjunction with this force, a part of whose duties it would be to make roads through the country, a judicious employment of Native labour were also used for the same purpose, so as to give them occupation and excite a desire for the arts of peace. Any efforts in this direction, having the amelioration of the Maori race and tho peace of the country in view, should not be subject to sudden checks, but should bo fairly tried for a few years. The resources ofthe country around Taupo for the support of any number of men at the present time are very small, and should the Government think of stationing a force there, most of the supplies would have to be conveyed to the place during the first twelve months. AVe visited the mill at Tokanu, which, as far as we were able to judge, would be a good one when put in thorough repair ; and I consider any help the Government could render the Natives towards that object, more especially as the land around is well adapted for agriculture, would be money judiciously spent. The position of Taupo, from being in the centre of the Island, and the great importance that has all along been attached to it as a place of refuge for any ofthe disaffected tribes if forced to relinquish their possessions on the coast, forcibly suggests the idea that the Government should take some steps to have such a hold on that part of the country as will remove this long cherished idea on the part ofthe disaffected. Of course it is not for me to indicate what steps the Government should take to accomplish this object; but it has long been my opinion that war in the North Island would end more speedily if the Taupo country was properly administered, and efforts used to convert the Hauhau party on the west side of the lake, by inducing them to join the Government Natives and abandon the unfriendly attitude they at present assume. Should there be any other subject on which you desire to obtain more particular information with reference to Taupo, I shall be happy to afford it; and I feel naturally anxious to assist in promoting in any way the interests of a district which, I may say, I have been chiefly instrumental in opening up for settlement. • . I have, &c, The Hon. J. C. Richmond, Wellington. S. Locke.

PATEA, WANGANUI, AND TAEANAKI. No. 29. Copy of a Letter from Mr. J. Booth to the Hon. J. C. Eichjiond. Sie, — Wanganui, sth December, 18CS. I have the honor to report that yesterday, whilst at Woodall's Redoubt, a sentry reported t» Lieut.-Colonel Herrick, the officer commanding, that two (2) Natives were approaching the camp, and that they were carrying a white flag. An order was given that they were to be stopped at the brow of the hill, about 300 yards from the camp. Lieut.-Colonel Herrick and myself at once went, and found they were messengers from Titokowaru's camp. One I recognized as belonging to Titokowaru's hapu (Ngaruahine), and named Eameka ; the other, Eimitiriu, has been living at Pa Karaka, and has once or twice come into Colonel Whitmore's camp under cover of being a friendly Native. On being asked what they had come for, they produced a letter from Titokowaru—copy and translation forwarded herewith. Lieut.-Colonel Herrick, with my concurrence, thought it advisable to detain the two messengers until we were able to communicate with the Government, and for the following reasons : —The man Eameka has been with Titokowaru and his tribe since the commencement of the present outrages, and is said by friendly Natives to be one of the Teleaumarua (advance guard) ; the question, therefore, is as to whether a flag of truce is to protect a man suspected of murder and other outrages, or, at any rate, who has been aiding and abetting those who are guilty of these crimes. The other man, Eimitiriu, came into camp on the 27th of last month, professing to be friendly; he obtained a pass from Colonel Whitmore, promising that he would act as a spy. Having carefully examined our position, he went directly to Titokowaru's camp, and, by his own confession, told Titokowaru that our position was weak, and that the force was composed of Pakehas only ; that there were no friendly Maoris in the neighbourhood ; and gave such further information as led the Hauhaus to take up a position the same night about 1,400 yards distant from our redoubt, and at daylight next morning they opened fire on our position. He, Eimitiriu, has been living in Titokowaru's camp since that time, and neither Lieut.-Colonel Herrick nor myself felt justified in liberating him unless instructed to do so by Government. I may mention in conclusion, that when the prisoners were searched, on being taken into custody, a watch was found on Eameka which had belonged to Constable Darlington who was killed at Te Ngutu-o-te-Manu, his name being inside the case; a gold chain was identified as having been the property of Lieutenant Hastings. He was wearing also a pair of Government ammunition boots. Nothing was found on Eimitiriu beyond two boxes of matches, a knife, and Colonel Whitmore's pass. I have, &c, The Hon. the Native Minister, Wellington. James Booth, E.M.