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and Tauranga Eoad they were stopped by the Ngatihana Natives, who gave this as a reason for their interference. Then, again, I desire to draw the attention of the Native Minister to the fact that this is one of the reasons assigned by many Natives for looking with disfavour upon the operations of the Native Land Court. It is, I believe, a well-established fact that in a large majority ot cases the Natives will not now submit their claims for adjudicating by that Court, unless they have previously arranged with some European to make some disposition of it. It was not known by the Natives when the Native Land Court first came into operation that, by commuting their Maori tenures for grants from the Crown, they were subjecting themselves to burdens never understood. There are several letters on the files of this office, especially from tho Kiapara districts, complaining of the burdens imposed upon them in the shape of road rates. They infer that, instead of its being a great advantage to hold land under Crown grant, it has laid upon them burdens never explained to them, and of course never contemplated. I respectfully submit that some steps should be taken to relieve the Natives of these taxes, and that some legislative action should be initiated to exempt all lands so granted to Natives, of which they have made no disposition, from road rates. Hy. T. Claeke.

No. 3. Mr. J. Mackay to the Hon. the Native Ministee. Bib,— Wellington, 6th August, 1875. In further reference to my letter of the 18th June last, I have the honor to enclose herewith an extract from a private telegram received from Major Wilson, of Cambridge, respecting the Proclamation of the Waitoa District under the Highways Act. This materially affects the question of the main road from tho Thames to Waikato. On the 26th July I saw Tarapipipi te Kopara and the Ngatipaoa of Piako respecting the purchase of that block, and they informed me that they had stopped the survey of a proposed reserve until the questions about roads were settled. They wished to be informed, if the right of road through the reserves was granted, whether the owners would become liable for highway rates, and requested me to satisfy them on that head before the execution of the final deed of cession. . The question is of very great importance, and the fact of the Native reserves having been rated by Highway Boards causes great dissatisfaction, and is the root of a great deal of the opposition which has been and will be displayed to the carrying out of the great scheme of public works within Native districts or upon lands held by the aboriginal population. I have, &c, The Hon. the Native Minister, Wellington. James Mackay.

Enclosure in No. 3. Mr. John Wilson to Mr. James Mackay. (Extract from a Telegram.) Cambridge, 6th August, 1875. Maoeis much dissatisfied re Highway Board, Waitoa. John Wilson. By Authority : Ghokub Didsbtjby, Government Printer, Wellington.—lB7s. Price 3d.}