AND MAORI CHIEFS.

A.—No. 21

11

No. 24. The Hon. Mr. M'Lean to Bewi. Friend Bewi, Auckland, 16th November, 1869. Salutations to you. This is to acquaint you, that Wi Te Pukapuka is now on his way back to you, taking with him Te Hura and his companions, numbering in all ten persons. lam now engaged in carrying out the wish expressed by you at our meeting at Pahiko. I have already written to Matene and Ihakara on the same subject, and a letter has also been written to Te Poihipi. Wiremu Te Pukapuka will point out to you the boundaries within which Te Kooti is to be followed up. If Te Kooti. should come within your district, it will then rest with you to look after him. There remains still another word, which I shall not for the present declare to you. From your friend, Donald M'Lean.

No. 25. The Hon. Mr. M'Lean to Manuwhiri. Friend Manuwhiri,. — Auckland, 30th November, 1869. Salutations to you. The Natives, as well as the Europeans of the Thames, have requested me to pay a visit to Ohinemuri to enquire into and regulate a system by which the gold of that place migh be worked ; but what I think is this, that you and your son (Tawhiao) might address a word to Te Hira Wharewhenua, or to myself; that I, being a stranger to that district, might be rightly informed thereon, and also with reference to your own views as regards those diggings—l mean the gold only, leaving out the question of the land itself. I propose to go over to hear what the people of Hauraki have to say. From your friend, To Manuwhiri, Te Kuiti. Donald M'Lean.

No. 26. The Hon. Mr. M'Lean to Te Tirarau. Friend Te Tirarau, — Auckland, 15th November, 1869. Salutations to you. You are in possession of my views in regard to Waikato—l mean with, reference to the request I made, that you. would give me your opinion as to the peace-making at Waikato —we having seen each other and talked together face to face. The principal thing that was said at the meeting was an expression of the wish of Bewi Maniapoto and Tamati Ngapora, and the chiefs of the Waikato to see me. On the 9th day of the month I proceeded to Pahiko, a settlement a little to the southward of Hangiitiki, about eight miles from Tokangamutu. Before I arrived there, the chiefs of Waikato and Ngatimaniapoto had assembled to meet me. Having gone through the usual salutations, we talked at length on the subject before us. I cannot now give you the whole account of what was said, but as soon as it is printed I will send you a copy. As far as I was able to judge, all that was said seemed to me to be satisfactory. It may be the means of restoring light and peace to this island. The principal thing that was settled and arranged was this : That they would join and assist us in putting down the troubles of this island—to stop any more fighting, and to prevent any more murder being committed. Your friend, To Te Tirarau, Te Wairoa, Kaipara, Donald M'Lean.

No. 27. Tirarau and Aperahama Taonui to the Hon. Mr. M'Lean. Friend Mr. M'Lean, — Te Wairoa, Kaipara, 2nd December, 1869. Salutations to you. Your letter of the 15th November, 1869, has arrived. You desire that some expression of opinion should be given as to the clearness of the peace-making at Waikato. It is well, inasmuch as peace-making does not affect one individual only; nor does evil affect only one person. This is an expression of opinion regarding the peace-making at Waikato. You know the arrangement made when the Government was first established in this island. It was that the sovereignty over the islands of New Zealand was ceded by the Confederation, who were the principal Chiefs ; this is what we at the northern part of the island acknowledge. It was this attempt to unite the tribes [Kingism] which occasioned this evil and this suffering. Your second suggestion is that Waikato should unite to put down evil and suppress outrage. This is the opinion regarding that—Waikato commenced the fighting, and therefore Waikato should commence the peace-making. This is clear—That if peace is made with those who commenced evil, peace should be made with all. Then your words will be fulfilled when you say this : Perhaps light will return to this island. Perhaps these are presumptuous words we have addressed to you. Tirarau. Aperahama Taonui.