TO NATIVE AFFAIRS.

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A.—No. 16

[translation.] Wairoa, October 15th, 1869. To the Chiefs of Ngatikurupakiaka and Kahu. Priends, a man has escaped from the gaol at Te Wairoa to your residences; his name is Waata. Now, it is for you to return that man at once. It is for you, the chiefs, to support the law, otherwise trouble will befall this place. From your friend, 8. Locke.

No. 10. The Hon. Mr. McLean to His Honor J. D. Ormond. Sir,— Auckland, 18th November, 1869. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 6th instant, enclosing Mr. Locke's report of his visit to Turanga and the Wairoa. The report in question is very suggestive, and several of the subjects to which it refers deserve early attention. It is gratifying to find that the Natives of Turanga are more inclined to settle down quietly; the land question, however, appears to be in a very unsatisfactory state. It is quite evident that the powerful Ngatiporou tribe on the one hand, and the Ngatikahungunu on the other, who aided in subjugating the Hauhaus of Turanga, have reason to be dissatisfied at finding many of the Natives, who have been the greatest opponents to peace, becoming, through the action of the Government, possessed of Crown Grants to land of considerable value, while the hereditary claims of the tribes referred to have been entirely overlooked, and the valuable services they rendered in assisting to subdue the hostile Natives of that place rather ignored than recognised. Such a state of things cannot fail to create discontent on the part of the loyal Natives. It is evident that any preference shown to those who have been disloyal is more deeply resented by the friendly chiefs than can be easily imagined. It should always be the aim to treat the friendly Natives with every consideration, so as to make them feel that co-operation with the Government is not only appreciated but substantially rewarded. Tou will recollect that the course decided on at Wellington with the Ngatiporou and Ngatikahungunu chiefs was, that the land made over to the Government by right of conquest should bo divided into three equal portions. One part for the Ngatiporou, one for the Ngatikahungunu, and one for the Government. This distribution was considered by the chiefs fair and equitable; and indeed it was the only basis upon which a good title could be secured, or the acts of the Poverty Bay Commission ratified. And it must strictly be adhered to. I trust therefore, by liberal treatment towards those who so actively aided in suppressing the rebellion at Turanga, that the principal difficulties of this troublesome question may be removed. To re-open it after the Government has by Legislative action and otherwise, endeavoured to meet it, would be certainly injudicious. I notice that the survey of the township is progressing. A schedule of a certain number of allotments should be made out preparatory to their being put up to public competion; the sale to take place at Napier. With reference to the paragraph in Mr Locke's report recommending that the law should be carried out against troublesome characters, I quite agree in dealing firmly with such persons, and I have no doubt if the chiefs were made to feel that they were expected to co-operate with the Government in carrying out the law, they would give their cordial assistance, and by that means uphold lawful authority in the district. The arrangements proposed to the Natives at the Wairoa meeting, at which Mr. Richmond and I were present, respecting the confiscated block should be carried out, if doing so has not been prejudiced by any subsequent act of the Native Lands Court, or promise of the late Major Biggs. I quite agree that a matter that has stood over for more than three years should be definitely settled without further delay. If not too late in the season, seed potatoes can be procured for the Natives at Mohaka. I quite recognise the unsettled state of those who were sufferers by Te Kooti's massacre, but trust that the gradual improving relations between the races may have the effect of restoring more confidence, and be the means of inducing a recurrence to industrial pursuits. Tou will be good enough to communicate the purport of this letter to Mr. Locke, with such additional observations of your own as you may deem necessary. I have, &c, His Honor J. D. Ormond, Esq., Donald McLean. Napier. P. S. It appears that the duties of the Poverty Bay Commission are not yet fulfilled, as a large extent of the block ceded to the Government is not surveyed, and the Commissioners declined to investigate the Native title in the absence of such survey.

NEW PLYMOUTH. No. 11. Mr. Parris to the Native Under Secretary. Sir,— New Plymouth, August 27th, 1869. I have the honor to report for the information of the Hon. the Minister for Native affairs that in consequence of reports which have been circulated by designing Europeans to the effect that all Natives who have been in rebellion are to be made prisoners and transported to some other island, very considerable suspicion and uneasiness is being manifested by INatives who have recently returned to their former allegiance to the Government. 4