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Harry Simmonds .* It is the blocks that were surveyed, or partially surveyed, at different times that the surveyors should go on with now. Hon. Native Minister : There is a block called the Patetere Block. That is divided into two parts : one part is covered by the Government Proclamation, and one is not. We are referring to that part of the Patetere Block which is covered by the Government Proclamation. Harry Simmonds: That Proclamation embraces some country over which no surveys have been attempted to be made, and I only wish now that the survey should go on over those blocks which have been partially surveyed. Hon. Native Minister said he understood there were eighteen minor blocks within the proclaimed block. What he understood they had come about now was with respect to the whole of the proclaimed Patetere Block with the exception of a strip along the Waikato River; but if they were merely speaking of the eighteen minor blocks he had nothing to say to them. Mr. Sheehan, M.H.R., entered the room at this stage. In answer to a question by Mr. Sheehan, Harry Simmonds said they had no objection to the lands inside the proclaimed boundary being surveyed and put through the Court during the present sitting if some of the blocks were cut out. lion. Native Minister : Whereabout is the land that you do not wish surveyed ? Is it on the banks of the Waikato, or where ? Harry Simmonds: It is on the banks of the Waikato River, and across to the Patetere Bush. No. 141. (TRANSLATION.) Auckland, 27th April, 1880. Friend Betce.—We submit to you our applications regarding our lands. (Ist.) The name of these lands is Patetere —that is, the lands restricted by the Government. (2nd.) We request that the following blocks be excluded from the survey and the Court: The Waotu-Matanuku, Motukakapo, and Maungaitia. (3rd.) That the remaining lands in the proclaimed block we have all consented to be surveyed and passed through the Court. (4th.) We consent to repay the moneys expended by the Government on these lands. (sth.) We leave with you, the Native Minister, the adjustment of these moneys after the lands have passed the Court, and the proper owners are known. (6th.) Authorize the Chief Surveyor to permit the necessary surveys to be made ; also request the Chief Judge, Mr. Benton, to proclaim a Court for these lands which we have consented shall be surveyed and adjudicated. This is all from your friends. —Prom Hare Heimana, Rongowhitiao Arekatera, Te Rei Paihua, Pore Motunau, Hoera, Aperahama te Kume, Perenara Tamahiki, Areti Poihipi, Nikorima, Poihipi Tukairangi, Tuwhakarara. No. 142. (Telegram.) Auckland, Ist May, 1880. Hon. Native Minister, New Plymouth.—Have just seen your telegrams to Kensington re Patetere surveys, and feel convinced there is some misunderstanding. We distinctly understood that the surveys of minor blocks inside proclaimed boundary should go on, we undertaking that survey of external boundary should be started at once. This is now Ist May, and Court opens on 10th. It will take us all our time to get small blocks ready concurrently with the outer boundary. Land cannot be passed through Court in one block, as owners are various, and claim specific areas in the big block, which are known as the minor blocks. Survey-party already started for survey of external boundary to co-operate with trig, survey by Government surveyors; and two parties are ready to go on with finishing up subdivision boundaries. Please reply, urgent. —P. A. Whitakeb, John Sheehan. No. 143. (Telegram.) New Plymouth, 2nd May, 1880. Messrs. Wiiitakee and Sheehan, Auckland. —Have been away selecting site for camp; hence delay in answering. There has been no misapprehension. I never intended to allow private surveys in proclaimed block until Government claim satisfied after ascertainment of title. Tour telegram suggests a difficulty in getting largo block through Court, and I think it likely you are right; but if I now acceded to your wish, and authorized the private surveys in the proclaimed block to be completed or officially authorized, the end would be, that the minor blocks would go through, and the main block bo hung up. Ido not think I ever said a word which could lead to the impression that I was prepared to accept such a position as that.; but I have said a good many to the opposite effect, and have been most careful to show that I thought the ascertainment of title in the main block was the first thing to be done, and preliminary to every other. —John Bbyce. ■ No. 141. (Telegram.) Auckland, sth May, 1880. Hon. Native Minister, Opunake. —I am sure you will pardon me when I say that I still think there .must be some misunderstanding. I beg to ask you to consider following matters : First. Please refer to Berry's notes of our interviews. Second. Tou will remember that you raised question of survey of external boundaries at first interview. After some discussion I understood you to agree that, so long as outer survey went on concurrently with interior surveys, you would not object. Next, Whitaker and self saw you, and we both agree in our recollections of what we understood to have taken place at close of interview. Whitaker wrote down on an envelope the three main points to which you were able to give your consent. They were, that all the surveys should go, that you would notify Court claims must be heard, and that, to protect Crown's interest, Proclamation would still be maintained. In course of same interview I pointed out to you that difficulties might arise, as Crown land was all one block, but it would go through Court in separate blocks; and you replied that it was a matter which would be dealt with on fair conditions. It may be perhaps that you meaut one thing and we meant another. But I would beg of you to consider matter again. I could point out that your lien is