cattle the strongest party getting the greater number much to the dissatisfaction and annoyance of the weaker and more unsuccessful ones. The scrambling scene was a cause of great amusement to some of the lookers on as many of the calves were stronger than their eager captors who were dragged about most unmercifully some being immersed in the river others rolling in the dust the whole scene had much of the appearance of an irregular cattle fair. From this and the general character of the natives I was apprehensive some would not receive a fair share of payment they were entitled to to guard against which I reserved the money to meet the wants of such as suffered from the capriciousness of their relatives. The money has not yet been divided but I intend to have a general meeting of the natives and tell them it is the intention to give the money to those who have not received a fair share of goods. The natives are generally satisfied with the assistance and fairness of the whole transaction any blame that is attached is among themselves. I am very busily engaged in settling their little differences which are always brought before me for arbitration also getting their reserves pointed out to them within the purchase. I have to visit the settlements of Te Hua and Mangaraka to arrange about cattle trespasses on native cultivations and I intend to take with the assistance of the Police Magistrates such decisive steps as will stop future complaints of that nature as they are of daily occurrence and a deal of my time is taken up in settling them. These annoyances have been the primary cause of having to move settlers from Mangaoraka and it is not improbable if the cattle were removed or the cultivated lands fenced in which the natives offer to do if the Europeans will assist in carrying the fencing with their drays but many of the settlers would be allowed to remain there, There is a good deal of dissatisfaction as yet among the natives about the cattle having been taken by