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so many Europeans present on that day; that he had been an advocate for making this road for years, and was glad to find that at last it was fit for wheeled traffic. They (the Maoris) believed that road-making was too difficult for them, but since they had undertaken this work they had learned it was an easy task; they were therefore willing to make as many roads as the Government desired. They hoped the Government would continue to employ them on other roads. They Averc rejoiced to think that at last this road, which they had set their hearts upon for so many years, was completed. To Mr. Hill their thanks were due for the road, as he had for years been a very persistent advocate for making it. Had it not being for this persistence on his part they did not think it would have been made now. He then thanked the Europeans again for their attendance on that day, and finished speaking. The Europeans, most of whom came from the "Whatawhata side, deputed Mr. T. B. Hill to reply to them, which he proceeded to do, through myself, as follows : '•' I have to thank you on behalf of the Europeans for your kind invitation to this feast, which is held here to-day for the purpose of opening the road, and thus connecting Raglan, which for years has been an isolated spot, with the rest of the world. I know that this road was to have been made in the days of Te Awaitaia; but a chief since deceased, namely, William Thompson, prevented its being made at that time. Since then many attempts have taken place to commence this work, bat without success. It is only since the present Government of Sir George Grey and Mr. Sheehan came into office that this work has been undertaken, and is now nearly finished. What I have to say to you is, the present Government make it a rule to look equally after the welfare of both races; therefore it is your duty to snpport them in every way, so that they may be able to prosecute their policy to its termination successfully. Before concluding I must thank you again for your hospitality to us on this occasion." The visitors then proceeded to witness some blasting operations (dynamite) on limestone rocks, after which, about 5 p.m., the majority of the Europeans remounted their horses for their respective homes. There were about eighty Europeans present, and about three hundred Natives. The greatest good feeling prevailed throughout the whole proceedings. One wheeled vehicle with some half a dozen people proceeded to the scene of the gathering, where it arrived with perfect ease and comfort. Some of the Natives from the Waipa Road are now on their way to the Akau to attend a meeting there. I have, &c., The Hon. the Native Minister, Wellington. R. S. Bush, R.M.

No. 8. Mr. R. S. Busn to the Hon. the Native Minister. Sir,— Resident Magistrate's Office, Raglan, 18th March, 1879. I have the honor to report, for your information, that I left here on the 10th instant for the purpose of holding Assessment Courts at various places within my district. At the couclusion of this duty I proceeded to visit that portion of the Ngatihaua Trihe living at Pukekura, Maungakawa, and Matamata Settlements. I was unable on my last visit to reach these settlements, as I had to return to Raglan to hold the Resident Magistrate's Court. I proceeded to the Pukekura Settlement, where some fifty Natives of the Ngatikoura and Ngatiwairere hapus of the Ngatihaua reside. The Natives there were engaged threshing wheat and catching pigs for the coming meeting. Paora Hakopa and other Natives complained that they had no road out from their settlement to the swamp road which passes through the Moanatuatua Swamp. They expressed a willingness to make a road from their settlement to the swamp, and asked for Government aid. I suggested that they should follow the example of their Maungatautari relatives and make the road themselves. They said if they could not obtain your assistance they would have to make it themselves. I would respectfully suggest that a sum not exceeding .£25 should be given them after they have made a passable sledge road to the swamp road. This course would prevent any Hauhau interference with the work. The Maungatautari Natives were finishing their road near the Pukekura Redoubt. When they have completed their work they will have a very good cart-road from Cambridge to Maungatautari. I estimate the cost of their labour at £250 at least. Many of the Pukekura people are at present employed ditching and draining at Walker's Swamp. It is gratifying to find the Maori at last realizing the advantage of good road communication. Ou the following morning I left Cambridge for Matamata, via Maungakawa. At Maungaliawa I found three large stacks of wheat, which, considering the small number of inhabitants, spoke well for their industry. The low price of wheat this year I fear will prevent larger cultivations of this cereal this winter. At the Tapui, a little further on, I noticed some fifty acres of land already ploughed and harrowed for grass. From here I proceeded to Paritu, where there are a few of the Natives residing. This settlement was one of the largest this tribe possessed formerly, but was for years deserted.