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No. 45.

Sib,— Gisborne, 27th May, 1886. Greeting ! This is to request that you would now explain your views respecting Wairarapa Lake. I and all the persons of my own party are agreeable to sell our shares in Lake Wairarapa to the Government, and if the Government are desirious of purchasing the said lake, well and good. Do you therefore let us know exactly what your views are so that I may know; and if you wish that I should come there to make some settlement with you respecting the purchase of the said lake, well and good, only please let me know. Enough. Your loving friend, Mr. Ballance, Minister for Native Affairs. H. Jury te Whatahobo.

No. 46. Waitapu, 29th October, 1886. A second meeting of the committee has been held with reference to Wairarapa, in accordance with the desire of the Minister that the persons having interests in the lake should devise some means whereby there might be an amicable understanding between the Maoris and Europeans when the outlet of the river is closed. The custom of our ancestors was that during four hinapouri (months ?) the people should catch eels, fish, &c, in this lake, and this custom has been observed by our parents and ourselves. However, in compliance with the wish expressed by the Native Minister, that an understanding should be come to between the two races, we have decided to divide those four hinapouri. We shall retain the hinapouri (months ?) of February and March, but will relinquish the Months of April and May. The lake will then be opened by consent of the Native committee and all the people. The Maoris to be paid for digging an outlet at a rate to be fixed. This money will be for those who perform the work of digging the outlet. We would point out that the months which we relinquish are the principal months in which the fish are caught. That is all. The above has been decided by the Chairman. Pieipi te Maaei and others.

No. 47. Mr. Morpeth. Weite to Mr. Bunny and ask him to see Piripi, and try to negotiate a settlement of the Wairarapa Lake question. It will be necessary to keep in mind that if the land is purchased, or an equivalent given for it, the terms would have to be approved by the Government. Wellington, Bth January, 1887. J. Ballance.

No. 48. Sib,— Wellington, 24th February, 1887. I have the honour to forward herewith the translation of certain resolutions passed by the Wairarapa Native committee with reference to the Wairarapa Lake, dated the 21st February, 1887. I shall be obliged by receiving from the Government their views on the resolutions so that I can forward the same to the committee. I have, &c, The Hon. the Native Minister, Wellington. Heney Bunny.

No. 49.'—(Teanslation.) To Major Henry Bunny. 21st February, 1886. Salutations to you ! The committee of the people that have an interest in the Wairarapa Lake have considered the proposals of the Government that were stated by you before the chiefs and the committee of the tribe to sell the lake to the Government. The first question of the committee to you : The committee of the tribe have agreed to settle all troubles and disputes concerning the Wairarapa Lake within a few days upon these conditions : A Commissioner to be appointed by the Government to settle all troubles and disputes concerning the lake, the Commissioner and committee to have full power to send or demand any deed, plans, or maps, or any person or persons, for the purpose of enlightening themselves upon any subject leading to the final settlement of the lake, and upon the sales made by the Natives to the Government through Sir Donald McLean, so as to come to a satisfactory settlement between Natives and Europeans, Government also ; the Commissioner and committee to be as one to make a true and faithful investigation. If that question is settled, then the settlement of all questions and troubles will be arrived at. Please let us know as soon as possible. Piripi te Maari, Manoa Natanahira, Matini te Ore, M. M. Kahungunu, Wi Hutana, Kohea Tahana, Komene Piharau, Charles J. Jury.

No. 50.—(N.L.P., 87/67.) The committee referred to within may have been elected under " The Native Committees Act, 1883 ;" but it is not a committee of the owners of the Wairarapa Lakes, as required by " The Native Lands Administration Act, 1886," and has therefore no power to deal with the question at all. Of the eight persons constituting it, four are not owners, unless under other names, and one has signed the deed of sale executed in 1876. The object of the person who framed the resolution is clearly to open up several other questions of title. The vested interests of the Crown in the lakes are, lam afraid, being gradually overlooked. There is no doubt at all that the seventeen persons who signed the deed in 1876 were the then leading representative chiefs. A meeting of the owners to discuss the lakes' question alone should, I submit, be convened under section 20 of "The Native Land Laws Administration Act, 1886." 25th February, 1887, P, Sheeidan,