E.—No. 4

No. 12.

ASSISTANT NATIVE SECRETARY, TARANAKI, TO THE HONORABLE THE NATIVE MINISTER. New Plymouth, February 28th, 1862. Sir,— 1 have the honor to bring under the notice of His Excellency's Government an article which appeared in the " Taranaki Herald" of the 22nd instant, respecting a native named William Tamehana being in Town, and to report that the said article has led to an enquiry from Colonel Warre, C.B., as to whether any special instructions from the Government, with respect to natives who have been in arms against the Governmeut, and have not subscribed to any terms for peace, coming into Town. The article in question is unfair and untrue, inasmuch as it represents Tamehana being in Town repudiating the Restoration of Property taken from the settlers, whereas, Tamehana (whose attention I called to the article before he left Town), assured me that he merely stated, that that was the opinion of tliose holding the property but not his own opinion, as a proof of which, Tamehana was the cause of the Mataitawa Natives surrendering the Property of the settlers which they had. The cause of Tamehana being in Town that day, was that an application had been made by some Bell Block settlers to purchase some timber of him, and he came to see me on the subject, to ask if it would be right; I told him I thought it would be better to defer it until His Excellency the Governor had visited this place. If it is the wish of the Government that the Natives as before referred to, should not come into Town, I beg respectfully to be furnished with instructions thereupon, at the earliest opportunity, for the question causes me great anxiety of mind lest anything should occur. I have, &c, Robert Parris, Assistant Native Secretary. The Honorable the Native Minister, Auckland.

Enclosure to No. 12. EXTRACT FROM ARTICLE IN " TARANAKI HERALD." " Tamihana, who shot and tomahawked J. Hawken, is in town to-day, from Mataitawa, and has just informed us that, as Governor Browne, who caused all the mischief, hag gone away, no restoration of plunder, or restitution for damages will be required. All that is necessary, in his opinion, is that the roads should be opened for the Mails, and peace will be concluded. This is the impression which the tone of the present Government has produced on the minds of the rebels. We trust and believe that the view expressed in our leading article is the more correct one."

No. 13. THE HONORABLE THE NATIVE MINISTER TO ASSISTANT NATIVE SECRETARY, TARANAKI. Native Secretary's Office, Auckland, March 7th, 1862. Sik, — With reference to your letter of February 28th, in which you request to be informed as to the wishes of the Government with respect to Natives, who have been in arms against the Government, and have not subscribed to any terms of peace, coming into town; I am directed to inform you that the subject is receiving the consideration of His Excellency the Governor, and that such instructions will be issued to you as may be decided upon hereafter. I have, &c, H. Halse, Acting Native Secretary. R. Parris, Esq., Taranaki.

No. 14. ASSISTANT NATIVE SECRETARY, TARANAKI, TO THE HONORABLE THE NATIVE MINISTER. New Plymouth, March 18th, 1862. Sir — I have the honor to report, for the information of His Excellency's Government, that on Wednesday last, the 12th instant, the Chief Wiremu Kingi Matakatea, of Umuroa, Taranaki, came to

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NATIVE AFFAIRS.