AND MAORI CHIEFS

A.—No. 21.

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No. 86. Ihakara Tukumaru and others to the Hon. Mr. M'Lean. To Mr. M'Lean,— Otaki, Gth July, 1870. Friend salutations to you. This is a request made to you by the runanga of the Ngatiraukawa to you, the Minister for Native Affairs, that through you it may be made known to the General Assembly of the Colony of New Zealand. We wish to inform you that it is the intention of the Ngatiraukawa to pay a visit to Tokangamutu, to ascertain from from Matutaera what he really meant when he said, or gave out in his public notice, that the Ngatiraukawa were his chosen people, or, in other words, that they would be his principal support. It is with reference to this visit that we lay before you our request as to whether you would allow us to be furnished with some arms, to protect us while on the journey there—-to protect us, the two parties of the Ngatiraukawa, viz., the Hauhaus and the Government Natives, lest we should be attacked by Te Kooti on the way, as, should we meet him on the way, we shall attack him. These arms and this protection is most needed in the district between Otairi and Taupo. Your friends, Ihakara Tukumaru. Karanama Te Kapukaiotu. Te Aloroati Kiharoa. And the runanga of Ngatiraukawa.

No. 87. Hohepa Tamamutu to Mr. H. T. Clarke. To Mr. Clarke, — Tapuaeharuru, Taupo, 9th July, 1970. Friend, salutations to you. I send this to let you know that a great boon has been given to us, one which I think will be the foundation of our prosperity—l mean the telegraph. I have already sent my message by the wire to Mr. M'Lean and Mr. Fox—a letter of congratulation on the opening of this great line of communication which has been established through the centre of the land. They replied to my letter within one minute, sending also their own congratulations and their acknowledgements for the assistance we have given towards completing the telegrajih. Had we been unwilling and exacting as to the price to be paid for the poles, then it would have been some time before the line would have been completed. We did well in giving the poles without any trouble, for which we nevertheless hope to be paid. Bold proposed that no payment should be made ; but we said rather let payment be made, having all along made this request. But there need be no further trouble about the matter, as it has already been settled by you. Friend Clarke, our demands for the timber will not be large, but we still expect to be paid. I should like to receive a letter from you on this subject. Mr. Warbrick has arrived, to make arrangements for the timber, and for the preparation of the posts. These have all been arranged satisfactorily. Your friend, Hohepa Tamamutu.

No. 88. Manuwhiri to the Hon. Mr. M'Lean. To Mr. M'Lean,— Te Kuiti, 13th July, 1870. Salutations to you. Certain persons from Taranaki or Parihaka have arrived at this place. They came first to New Plymouth, then on to Waitara, to Urenui, to Pukearuhe, to Mokau, and then on to this place. They will call at the same places on their return home, where they will remain quietly. They have seen Mr. Parris and his companions. That is all. From To Mr. M'Lean, Auckland. ._«________________ Manuwhiri.

No. 89. The Hon. Mr. M'Lean to Manuwhiri. To Manuwhiri,— Wellington, 23rd July. Sir, salutations to you. I have received your letter of the 13th of July, informing me of tin arrival of the men from Parihaka at your place. I am much pleased with you for writing to me, and informing mo of what is going on at your place, lam glad to hear from you that the people of Parihaka intend to live quietly. That is all. From your friend, Donald M'Lean.

No. 90. Hapurona Kohi to Arama Karaka and others. Buatahuna, 12th July, 1870. To Arama Karaka Tukehu Te Kepa,— 8