New Plymouth May 13th. 1850. Sir, I have the honour to forward the following Report of proceedings in this settlement, since your departure for the South, on the 30th. ultimo:- Two natives, Te Kipa, and Pehi, came to the Police Barracks, and complained about not being paid for work done by them, and others, for Joseph Hawke. An enquiry was made, and arranged by the Police. To other natives brought a complaint against T. Oxenham, for selling two indifferently made bushel measures. It was arranged that they should be strengthened, and reduced to the proper standard. On the 1st. May, Mr. Oliver Miller arrived overland from Kafia. He did not bring any news. On the 2nd. two natives, Parata, and Tamihana, both belonging to the Puketapu tribe, lodged a complaint against Mr. W. Bayly, for withholding the first instalment due on their respective Agreements, for work done by them on his section near Moturoa; and threatened to seize goods, if not paid tomorrow, (Friday morning). On the 3rd. Parata and Tamihana came to the Barracks, according to appointment, and meeting Mr. Bayly in town, We retired to the Police Office, where the whole business was enquired into; without, however, arriving at a satisfactory adjustment. At the request of both parties, I examined the work, and found parts of it in an unfinished state. The natives were recommended to finish the original blocks, according to their agreements; and if not then paid at the price per acre stated, to apply to Capt. King. Parata appeared to approve of the suggestion, in place of carrying out his second threat to seize a cart and two bullocks belonging to Mr. Bayly; and asked Tamihana for his opinion, who promptly decided against it. On the 4th. a Policeman was on duty in town from 5 to 7 p.m. I attended at the Police Office, and explained to Captain King the dispute between W. Bayly and a party of Puketapu natives. Captain King approved of the advice given to the natives, and ordered a repitition of the same. Accordingly Rawiri was made acquainted with all the circumstances of the case, and desired to see the natives without delay. I returned to Mr. Leach three letters received from you, by yesterday's overland mail from Auckland. On the 5th. Sunday Parade. On the 6th. two of the Police were on duty in the town at 5 a.m., and a third at 6 a.m. I was informed by Tamaki Waka, of the intention of some Puketapu natives to seize a cart and bullocks, the property of Mr. W. Bayly, if not paid in accordance with their demands. Te Warro and his son, Witaraha, lodged a complaint against Mrs. Ryan. An enquiry was made, and arranged by the Police. On the 7th. a native named Charly, brought a complaint against Jordan, the elder, for detaining 5/- due for work done last harvest. On enquiry, the demand did not appear good, and the native was satisfied. The Overland Mail left for Auckland. I was informed this evening by Mr. Groube, that 5 of his pigs had been stolen; two of which he had identified shortly after they were killed, by Samuel Oliver, and Thomas Lethgridge, the purchasers from the natives. An enquiry was at once instituted, when suspicion was attached to a native named Korohiko, living at Pukewaranga, a small village inland of the Colonial Hospital. Night being advanced, it was arranged that T. Lethbridge should meet me at daylight on the following morning, to identify the natives who sold the pigs. Richard Scandlyn found drunk, and locked up. On the 8th. I found Heale on duty early, as appointed, and on our arrival at Pukewaranga, the natives were about rising; two of whom, Korohiko and Nga Mare were recognised by Lethbridge as the sellers of the 2 pigs; and on being questioned, the transaction was admitted, and the following statement was made by Korohiko:- "On Sunday night last, Nga Mare and I saw 4 pigs eating our potatoes. 3 of which we caught; the fourth ran away. On the following day we endeavoured to find out the owner of the pigs, but did not succeed. Yesterday we drove the pigs to town, thinking we should soon find out the owner, and failing, sold two of them, one to S. Oliver, the other to T. Lethbridge. The 3rd. we drove back, which is still here." On request, they came to town, bringing the third pig with them. I wrote a note to Captain King on the subject, and when that gentleman came to town, I placed all the particulars before him; and at his recommendation, the affair was arranged out of Court. Rawiri came to Barracks, and told me the Puketapu natives intended to return, and complete the work for W. Bayly. On the 9th. one of the Police on duty in town from 6 to 7 a.m. English and Colonial mail by this day's arrival. The "Lady Nugent" had arrived from Wellington, also the Government brig. The "Constantinople" was to leave England last February, for New Plymouth direct, with passengers. The Queen Dowagare died last December. I received 8 papers for you. I saw Mr. Groube, and was informed by him, that one of the two missing pigs had been found near the Henui bridge, with a spear in its body. On the 10th. at 5 and 6 a.m. two of the Police were on duty on the beach, to prevent any irregularities from the schooner "Carbon." Rawiri's complaint against Willis, the elder, for cattle trespass, inquired into by the Police. Sum awarded 2/-. Honi Ropiha returned, and reported himself. He was absent 11 days. On the 11th. I attended at Police Office, in Neale v. Joll case. Cattle at large. Defendant fined 6d. per head, with costs. Force assembled at Barracks. Rawiri informed me that the threatened robbery on W. Bayly would not take place. Between 7 and 8 p.m. J. Purdie jumped into the Huatoki river, between the bridge and Crocker's, the baker's. He was taken out by Private Medland and Heale, who were on duty at the time. No reason was assigned by Purdie. On the 12th. Parade at 10 o'clock. On the 13th. one of the Police on duty at the Resident Magistrate's Court. The usual Police duties continue to be attended to with occasional variations in the watches. Lately, instead of idling about between the hours of 10 and 12 in the morning, the men have been engaged about the grounds adjoining the Police Barracks. May 7th. Schooner "Erino", 12 tons, Garrick, from Kafia; wheat. May 9th. Schooner "Carbon", 20 tons, Joyce, 14 days from Wellington. Passengers:- Mrs. P. Hoskin, Mrs. Prout, Mr. and Mrs. C. Priske, from Port Philip. Cargo, general merchandise. May 10th. Cutter, "William and James", 15 tons, Newnham, from Manukau. Passengers:- Mr. and Mrs. Ward and family. Wllen Blackburn. The enclosed will more fully explain the primary cause of dispute between W. Bayly and a party of Puketapu natives. The Agreements will shew the case rather complicated, and the absolute necessity of putting such Agreements in a form intelligible to natives. I have the honour to be Sir, Your most obedient servant (Signed) H. Halse. Sergt.