E._No. 4

No. 2. THE HONBLK THE NATIVE MINISTER TO RESIDENT MAGISTRATE, MONGONUI. Native Secretary's Office, Auckland, July 10th, 1862. Sir,— In reference to your letter of the 26th May last, recommending that some guns sent to Auckland to be repaired before the restriction was placed on the repair of fire arms, should be procured and returned to the owners, I am directed to request that you will be so good as to ascertain the value of the guns, for the information of the Government, in order that the amount may be transmitted through you to the owners. I beg to enclose a letter to Amukiri and Nopera Puru, informing them of the views of the Government on this subject, and have to request that you will be good enough to cause the same tobe forwarded as addressed. I have, <kc, H. Halse, Acting Native Secretary. The Eesident Magistrate, Mongonui.

Enclosure to No. 2. Native Office, Auckland, July 10, 1862. Friends, Aumukiri and Nopera Puru, — Greeting. A letter has been received from Mr. White, relative to your guns, forwarded here to be repaired by the gunsmith. This is the word :—Had your guns been returned in the years when the law was open (i.e., not prohibitory), it would have been well; but now it is contrary to law. Nevertheless, the Government will pay you the value of your guns, and forward it to your loving friend Mr. White, ■who will give it to you. It is not right that the hands of the Natives should meddle with that weapon, inasmuch as Maories are a foolish people in taking up guns. Enough is the word to you. From your loving friend H. Halse.

No. 3. RESIDENT MAGISTRATE, MONGONUI, TO THE HONBLE. THE NATIVE MINISTER. Resident Magistrate's Office, Mongonui, June 2, 1862. Sir,— A great deal of anxiety exists amongst the Natives, relative to the authority of those Chiefs who were Assessors before the election of Runanga Chiefs. Their names are—Wiremu Kingi, Ahipara ; Penetito te Huhu, Victoria; Pene te Pai, Pokonga; Hone Taua, Kareponia ; Wiremu Naihi, Wangaroa. These are most useful men ; I could scarcely do without them. I hope, therefore, that, as the other Assessors have received superior offices, those who have always shown much zeal and energy in cases of emergency should not be neglected, and that they should receive pay as Assessors, say £15 per annnm each. I would also beg to be informed what expenses I am authorised to incur in assembling the first Runanga, and if I shall be justified in drawing upon the Treasury for the salary of the officers of the Runanga, Assessors, and Kareres, from the first of January to the 30th current, amounting to Two Hundred and Ninety-two Pounds, Ten shillings (£292 10s. 0d.). I have, &c, W. B. White. The Native Secretary, Auckland.

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NATIVE AFFAIRS.