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Mr. Sheehan said that there was no fear of that. In point of fact, they had plans properly prepared, and they could get tracings of them, from which the Court could determine the title. Hon. Native Minister said there was another reason why he attached the utmost importance to the external boundaries being surveyed. It was this : that he could only take money from the owners of the land within the boundary of the survey. It was impossible that he could be certain who the owners were until the land had gone through the Court. He could only negotiate with the tribe through representatives. Mr. Sheehan said he was present at the meeting lately held in Waikato, and saw the conclusion come to, and he had no hesitation in saying that the people who were here (in Auckland) now were perfectly qualified to settle the whole question in regard to surveys, &c. Hon. Native Minister said they could now leave the first question of the survey. He was quite willing that the surveys of the external boundary should go on. Hon. Native Minister^ in reply to a question, said he had no objection to the restriction being taken from the minor blocks if the external block were surveyed. He would do everything he could to facilitate the immediate survey of the external boundaries ; and when he was satisfied that that was completed he was quite willing to remove the restrictions from the others; but he had made up his mind not to take oft' the restriction from the minor blocks until the whole of the block had gone before the Court: he wanted it in such a position that the title could be examined by the Court. Mr. Sheehan said that would suit the members of the deputation exceedingly well —just to get the external surveys settled. After that survey was completed the Hon. Native Minister could intimate that the surveys of the minor blocks could go on. Hon. Native Minister, in answer to a question, said he thought the Government interests in the block would represent about £14,000. It was not quite so much as that at present, but there were still a number of email accounts coming in. It was arranged that Mr. Sheehan should see the account-abstract representing the Government interest in the block, with the Hon. Native Minister, and also that the eleven Maoris who wished to see the Hon. Native Minister in regard to the block should have an opportunity of doing so on Monday next. No. 139. Native Office, Auckland, 24th April, 1880. Messes. Hilwoeth, Howard, Creagh, and Grace, and Paora Karetai, Kakawaero, and Heperi Matiaha waited on the Hon. the Native Minister to-day with reference to the Patetere Block. Mr. Grace said that the Natives were making a survey of the block themselves, and the deputation would like to know what the Hon. Native Minister would do with the survey that has been done by the Maoris. Hon. Native Minister: Of course, it must be understood, nothing which would authorize the . survey. As a matter of fact, have you time to complete it? Mr. Creagh: Yes; I would only have the chaining and bearing to take. [A sketch was here produced, and Messrs. Creagh and Grace indicated to the Hon. Native Minister the position of the block, and the stage at which the survey was stopped by the Hon. Native Minister.] Hon. Native Minister (to Mr. Creagh) : This line was cut, perhaps, under your supervision ? Mr. Creagh: No, it was not. A man named Frederick Mace was with them. Paora Karetai: I employ him, and he is my workman. My arrangement with him is, that I pay him £1 a day, and pay all the other men who are assisting him. Hon. Native Minister : As far as I am concerned, I am only too glad to see the surveys of Native land going on in all directions. I exercised a power given to me by Parliament, and stopped the surveys. Mr. Creagh said, if the Native in question was conducting the survey he believed the lines would be cut straight; and if the restrictions were taken off the block, he (Mr. Creagh) would not take long to complete the survey. Hon. Native Minister : Mr. Creagh, if I could see a way of holding you responsible for that, I would take some means of punishing you for it. Mr. Creagh : Certainly, Mr. Bryce ; but I never had. Hon. Native Minister: I saw your report; and you seemed to be rather annoyed with them going on : but, from the confidence you spoke of the straightness of these lines, I came to the conclusion you had something to do with them. Mr. Creagh : I believe the line has been run perfectly correct if that man (Mace) was on it. Hon. Native Minister .* I have good reason to suppose, apart from the assurance you have given me, that any obstruction which might have been given at one time is not likely to be given now ; and, unless I hear of something to the contrary, I will remove the restriction of the surveys. I can assure you I want to see as much land go through the Court as possible, and of course it cannot go through the Court unless it is surveyed. Members of Deputation : Thank you. Hon. Native Minister: I have no sympathy with any obstruction to any land going through the Court. I think the sooner the land has gone through the Court the better. Paora Karetai: Speaking about the work that we ourselves are doing? Hon. Native Minister: We will have to go over the survey. Paora Karetai: Salutations to you, Mr. Bryce —salutations to you, the Minister who has been selected to conduct Native affairs, and to look into matters which grieve us, the Native people. Por those reasons we, who are people residing on Patetere proper, have come to interview you. You have seen the plans which have been produced, and it is for you to untie any matters which may be pressing heavily about us with respect to the land. We are specially come to see you, and to request and to ask you if you will kindly withdraw any restrictions which are placed on the land. By your removing those restrictions we can ascertain who are the owners of the land when the matter has been investi-