however of their annoyance was that a distinct tribe from themselves should step in their absence to build the house and thus deprive them of the work which they wished to monopolize. On reflecting however that they had sold their land they entirely withdrew their objection to the erection of the house - The Ngatiapa were anxiously looking forward to the arrival of more Europeans determined that they should take the lead in placing them on the most eligible situations for grazing their stock, in this they were again disappointed by Panapa and the Ngatirangatahi natives who eagerly watched the arrival of Mr. Skipworths overseer of whom they had previous notice and who they conducted with his sheep to some land where Reihana demanded a large reserve as communicated in my report of 10th April and entirely relinquished by him as notified in my report on the Rangitikei purchase of the 21st May. 3rd. Penihamine a relative of Reihanas finding that the Europeans were taken to this land by natives against whom he had a concealed grudge remonstrated against the sheep being brought there adducing various unimportant objections to the occupation of land which he had desired to reserve and which included the finest timber and sheep grazing tract in the district. A Ngatiraukawa chief named Paraone married to Penihamini's sister, Panopa, and several of the Ngatirangatahi with Mr.Bell the overseer who seems a prompt and decided man informed Penehamini that they would not be influenced in the slightest by his objections - the natives stating that they were quite aware that the land he urged a claim to was distinctly and fairly included in the purchase, therefore they should decidedly support the Europeans in taking possession of it. The Rangitikei natives also ridiculed Penihani's conduct and Reihana afterwards nearly came to blows with him for interfering with land for which he signed a deed and received payment. The most influential of the Rangitikei natives requested me not to notice this squabble which arose on the part of an obstinate inferior native whose feelings of jealousy and stubbornness they had frequently trouble in controlling, but which would cease on his part as well as on that of others who might be similarly disposed whenever more Europeans for which they were so anxiously contending came to reside among them. I assembled this tribe inviting the Ngatirangatahi from the opposite side of the river to be also present and explained to them that I trusted from the trouble care and expense incurred by the Govt, in placing them in such independent and comfortable circumstances for furthering their improvement in wealth and civilization by the purchase of their land under arrangements which provided amply for their own future and present wants. That they should now endeavour to abandon their old offensive customs and prejudices which were rapidly disappearing among the more civilized tribes in the Island and which combined with their avaricious and inhospitable disposition frequently exposed the Europeans who came in contact with them in travelling along the coast or otherwise to some most disagreeable treatment, and impositions which would not now be tolerated. From Parawanui I proceeded up the Rangitikei plains employing a few of the Ngatiapa and Ngatirangatahi chiefs to accompany me, by this means convincing the Ngatiapa that they could not always expect exclusive employment from the Europeans unless their good conduct entitled them to such preference. I called at Mr. Skipwo rths station which is judiciously selected on a beautiful spot of land well suited for sheep grazing and abundantly supplied with wood and water - At this station I found Paraeone with whom I had some trouble