E.—No. 4

SECTION III.—KAIPARA AND WANGAREI. CORRESPONDENCE RELATIVE TO LAND DISPUTE BETWEEN TIRARAU, OF WAIKOA, AND MATITJ, OF MANGAKAHIA. No. 1. CIVIL COMMISSIONER, WAIMATE, TO THE HONORABLE THE NATIVE MINISTER. REPORT OF DISPUTE BETWEEN MATIU, OF MANGAKAHIA, AND TIRARAU, ABOUT LAND. Waimate, February 7th, 1862. Sir,— On my arrival at the Bay of Islands from Auckland, I learned from Mr. Williams, the Magistrate for the Hundred of Waimate, that a Meeting had been called by the Chief Matiu, of Mangakahia, to oppose what he and his people considered encroachment upon the land by the Chief Tirarau, of Wairoa. Although the latter Chief does not live within this District, and the former, if within it, lives upon its verge, I have instructed Mr. Williams and Mr. Hopkins Clarke, together with a few friendly Chiefs of this District, to proceed without delay to advise them to an amicable adjustment of their dispute. Should there be an Officer of the Government or District Magistrate residing at Kaipara, I would suggest that he, with the Assessor of the District, should be directed by the Government to meet Mr. Williams and the disputants at Wairoa, to prevent hostilities. I understand that both the Chiefs are likely to meet, accompanied by a number of their retainers, to dispute each others claims. The Chief Matiu is under the impression that Tirarau has been urged on with his claim in order to dispose of the land to the Government. I have, therefore, ventured to instruct Mr. Williams to assure both parties that the Government will not purchase any disputed claims, and that until an amicable adjustment can be arrived at the lands cannot be sold either to the Government or any other individual. The time fixed upon to cut the boundary line of land claimed by Matiu, is on the 14th inst. ; and as the Natives are likely to meet in numbers, I have directed Mr. Williams to leave for Mangakahia on the 11th inst., which will afford ample time for seeing the opposing Chief. If the Officer of the Government or Magistrate (if there is one), with the Assessors on the Wairoa, could meet Mr. Williams about that time, they might prevent much mischief—at least, such a friendly interference would be appreciated, and will convince both parties that the Government are not unmindful of their difficulties, showing at the same time a desire to assist in adjusting them. The feeling against Tirarau by the whole of the Ngapuhi tribes of this District is very unfavourable. They believe he has been encroaching upon their territory for some years, and they say they will bear it no longer. One false step taken by Tirarau might rouse the whole of this District, and the Natives have heard that Tirarau is in arms to oppose Matiu. Should it be necessary the District Runanga will be convened to prevent mischief in this District. I have, &c, George Clarke, Civil Commissioner. The Honorable the Native Minister.

No. 2. CIVIL COMMISSIONER, WAIMATE, TO THE HONORABLE THE NATIVE MINISTER. Waimate, February 20th, 1862. Sir,— I have the honor of enclosing to you for the information of His Excellency the Governor, Mr. Williams' report, together with a letter of the Assessors who accompanied him on his visit to the chiefs Tirarau of Wairoa, and Matiu Te Aranui of Mangakahia, to assist them in settling a disputed boundary. As Mr. Williams has not succeeded in adjusting the difficulties, although Matiu and the Ngapuhi chiefs have shewn a willingness to await any action which the Governor may think fit to take before they proceed to any other steps about the disputed boundary, and have requested me to write to them immediately to inform them of what I had recommended, I have ventured to write to Matiu, a copy of which letter I herewith enclose, to assure him that the Government will not purchase disputed lands nor suffer them to be surveyed for purchase. I have been anxious to

6

PAPERS RELATING TO