E.—No. 4.

friends belonging to both Tirarau and Matin, have been for some time waiting to know the decision of the Government upon the disputed lands, I wrote by them to Tirarau and Matiu upon the subject, a copy of those letters I herewith enclose. From the tenor of your letter, I gather that you were apprehensive lest I should in any way compromise the Government, by expressing an opinion upon the ownership of the Land in dispute, or of' having conveyed an idea that the Government in any way recognised Matiu's title. I am not aware that I have done either ; and by reference to Mr. Williams' report and my letter, addressed to Matiu, which is in substance similar to that which was expressed to Tirarau, I think you will find that I carefully avoided committing such an error ; I merely stated that the Government would not purchase the disputed land from either, unless they came to an agreement between themselves to sell it. This I did, in accordance with the repeated assurance given from time to time upon the subject, by the Government, to all Natives holding disputed land. I felt, therefore, no hesitation in repeating those assurances. It is possible you may have observed in my letter to the Government, of the 20th ultimo, what may appear to you to be a bias of mind in favour of Matiu. This, if any, arose from what transpired between Tirarau and the deputation, who, with Mr. Williams, waited upon him, when he endeavoured to lead them to suppose that in the steps he was about taking, he had the approbation of the Government, bringing forward a letter written by Mr. Bell, to convince them that he was fully borne out by the Government, and justifying his conduct, by saying that his object in selling the disputed land was, that he might be enabled to pay his debts. Thus it appeared to me that the honor of the Government was in danger of being compromised by Tirarau, in the eyes of the Natives ; and I thought then, as I do now, that it would be advisable that a letter should bo written to both Chiefs, in order on the one hand to stop what appeared to me the assumption of Tirarau ; and on the other, to remove the apprehension of Matiu, and thereby cut off all plea for hostility. In the steps I have taken, I have endeavoured to act from a sense of duty I owe to the Government, and in a conciliating manner towards the Natives, without, I hope, in any way compromising the honor of the Government, or leading the disjjutants to suppose that the claims of either party have been recognised ; and, although in my Instructions, I was directed to tell the Natives that such subjects as disputed land would have to be settled by the Runanga, yet the decision of the Government in the present case shall be strictly carried out. In the few remarks, which I have offered by way of explanation, I trust that the Government will not think I am wanting in due respect, or have offered them in an improper manner. I regret that I cannot oftener avail myself of their advice, and at all times feel grateful for their Instructions, and when needful, for their correction. I have, &c, George Clarke, Civil Commissioner. The Honorable the Native Minister.

Enclosure to No. 4. Tc Waimate, March 12th, 1862. Friend Matiit,' — I have received a letter from the Government, about the land in dispute between you and Te Tirarau. That letter says that the Government will not purchase disputed land, nor will the Government say to which the land belongs—to you or Te Tirarau ; Mr. Williams' and my word is similar. He was sent there by mo to say that neither ho, nor I, could decide whether the land belonged to you or to Te Tirarau. All wo can do is to urge you to settle the matter gently, and not to fight about it. If you and your men, and Te Tirarau and. his men, are willing to let the Eunanga enquire into the dispute between you and Te Tirarau about your land, and are willing to abide by the decision of the Eunanga, well and good; if you are not willing to have it settled by the Eunanga the Government will not be willing for it to consider the case, as it would not be just to have a one sided investigation. From your friend, Clauke, Civil Commissioner.

No. 5. THE HONBLE. THE NATIVE MINISTER TO CIVIL COMMISSIONER, WAIMATE. Native Secretary's Office, June 4th, 1862. Sir, — I have the honor, by direction of Mr. Fox, to acknowledge the receipt of your letter, dated the 12th of March last, respecting land in dispute between Tirarau and Matiu. In reply, I am to inform you that your explanation is satisfactory. I have, &c, H. Halse, Acting Native Secretary. The Civil Commissioner, Waimate.

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NATIVE AFFAIRS.