E—No. 1

ACTS AND DECISIONS OF THE From Waitara to Ngatimaru there are three paths, one by Huirangi and the ancient pa of Pukerangiora, nearly impracticable in winter, from the depth and rapidity of the Manganui, a large tributary of the Waitara, which must be forded. A second, —and according to the Natives the bestcommencing nearly opposite to the Mamaku pa; and a third turns inland North of Waitara at Tanjwa. By either of these lines the the river Wanganui may be reached from New Plymouth in two days, the distance according to the Rev. R. Taylor, being only thirty miles from the point in the Ngatimaru country, when the Waitara is left, to Taungaraka on the Wanganui, one day's journey inland of Petre. To avail themselves of this road the Ngatiawa will require some assistance and canoes from the Natives of Wanganui, and an inland path by the Wangaihu, by which they may avoid the Garrison at Petre. Their grand objection to it would be the loss of their own canoes. Taungaraka once passed, they may reach the strong old pa of JManukorihi on the Waitara, without meeting a soldier. [Not before publishedP\

governors' decisions.

XXIII. —EXTRACT FROM LETTER OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SOUTHERN DIVISION TO GOVERNOR SIR GEORGE GREY, DATED 26th JULY, 1847. Wellington, July 26, 1847. When I was up the coast last week, I was met at Waikanae by a large concourse of the Ngatiawa tribe, including William King, and many of the most influential chiefs, to whom I made known your Excellency's views relative to their meditated move to Taranaki, and was much gratified to find that no disposition existed, on their part, to act in opposition to them; their demeanour was quiet, respectful, and exhibited no symptom of annoyance with, or resistance to, the Government. William King stated, that although they were still bent upon going to that district, yet they repudiated the idea of doing so by stealth, or before consulting with the Governor, and learning the time he would permit of their removal ; adding, that the Ngatiawa tribe had always been friendly to the Europeans, and it was their desire to continue on the same amicable terms they have hitherto been. I, however, much incline to the opinion, that the migration, if it ever takes place, will be very partial: probably merely William King and his followers, as I found many indifferent, and some altogether averse, to leaving Waikanae. At Queen Charlotte's Sound, also, it appears the principal chief, Ropata, has not yet given his consent, and, in this neighbourhood, the Ngatiawas are cultivating as usual, and now show no symptom of moving. William King, on behalf of those at Waikanae, urged strongly the purchase by Government of the district; and when I mentioned that I did not think your Excellency contemplated making further purchases of land at present, they evinced the utmost anxiety (engendered no doubt by the scarcely concealed intention of the Ngatitoa tiibe to take possession, of the land when they leave it) that a promise should be given, if the Government did not wish to obtain the district when the time was decided upon for their departure, that they should be the parties negotiated with, and to whom the purchase-money should be paid, whenever it was considered expedient to acquire the land. M. Richmond. [In Sess. Pap. Gen. Assembly, 1860, E. No. 2.]

Major Bichmond, 26 July, 1847.

XXIV. —MEMORANDUM OF AN ARRANGEMENT PROPOSED TO HE ENTERED INTO WITH THE NATIVE LAND CLAIMANTS IN THE TARANAKI DISTRICT. It is proposed that the whole of the Natives having claims to land lying betweeen Ngamotu and !, the Waitara (with the exception of the Puketapu Natives now resident within this block) should, if possible, be induced to abandon their claims without further enquiry, and to locate themselves on the North bank of the Waitaia. These Natives may be divided into two classes— These now resident on the South bank of the Waitara. Those who are shortly expected to arrive here fiorn the Southward. It is proposed that the first of the above classes should be induced to agr?e to abandon their present cultivations within a period of three years, and then to remove to the North bank of the Waitara, if they remain within the district. The second class should be induced to proceed at once to the North bank of the Waitara, there to locate themselves on such sites as they may select—relinquishing all pretensions to any lands to the South of that river. This arrangement is regarded as one in every respect so likely to promote the future peace and prosperity of the country, that the Government, in order to induce the Natives to accede to it, will offer the following advantages to them. It will, without further enquity, admit the claims of the parties acceding to this arrangement, to the lands lying immediately to the north of the Wahara.

Governor Grey. Further Instructions, 1847.