A.—No. 4.

Enclosure 5 in No. 6. Notes of a Meeting at Otaki, on 9th December, 1865. On the 9th December, His Honor and party proceeded to Otaki, where the Natives had assembled to receive the purchase money for the island of Mana. After the meeting the chiefs Tamihana To Rauparaha, Matene Te Whiwhi, and Horomona Toremi waited on the Superintendent, and declared themselves decidedly against the payment of any of the Bangitikei rent-money, pending the sale of the block ; and they complained of the delay on the part of Ihakara and the other local chiefs in arranging final terms. Letters were afterwards addressed to Dr. Featherston, embodying these views, and suggesting a price for the block under offer. Copies herewith. Mr. Buller, 8.M., accompanied His Honor throughout this journey, interpreted all the speeches at the various meetings, took an active part in the principal discussions, and had frequent personal interviews with the leading chiefs of each tribe. Prom Otaki Dr. Featherston proceeded to Wellington, while Mr. Buller returned to Manawatu and Eangitikei to continue the negotiations. Superintendent's Oflice, "Wellington, I. E. Feathehstoin'. 30th June, 1866. Sub-Enclosure 1 to Enclosure 5 in No. 6. Copy of a Letter from Tamihana Te Baitparaiia to His Honor I. E. Feathebsto*". Otaki, Tihema 9, 1865. E Hoa — He kupu atu tenei na matou ki a koe mo te whemia c pakangatia nei mo Eangitikei, ta matou kupu tuturu tcnei ki a koe, ko taua whenua timata i Eangitikei awa puta noa mai ki Manawatu awa me hoko katoa atu ki akoe ara kia Te Kuini, ma reira anake ka mutu ai te raruraru me te pakanga erangi me hohoro tonu to homai i nga inoni ki nga Iwi c toru kia wawe ai te oti. He kupu ano tenei ko nga moiii utu reti kia kaha to pupuri atu kei homai c nga Pakeha kei waiho hei take pakanga ma nga Iwi c toru. Ta matou kupu atu tenei ki akoo me karanga c koe he huihui ma Ngatiraukawa ki Otaki nei, kia rongo ai koe ki ta matou korero mo Eangitikei. Ka mutu, Na Tamihana Te Baupaeaha. Kia Takuta Petatona, Hupiritene o Poneke. [tbanslatiow.] Fbiend, — Otaki, 9th December, 1865. This is our word to you respecting the disputed land known as Eangitikei. This is our deliberate message to you. The whole of the land lying between the Eangitikei Eiver and the Manawatu Eiver must be sold to you, that is to say —to the Queen. In this way alone can the trouble and the quarrel be brought to an end. But make haste and pay the price (of the land) to the three tribes, in order that the matter may be speedily ended. This is another word. Be resolute in holding back the payment for the leases, lest they be paid by the Pakehas, and become a fresh cause of contention between the three tribes. This is our message to you —Convene a (general) meeting of the Ngatiraukawa tribe at Otaki, in order that you may hear our words respecting Eangitikei. Ended. To Dr. Featherston, Tamihasa te Battpaeaha. Superintendent of "Wellington. Sub-Enclosure 2 to Enclosure 5 in No. 6. Copy of a Letter from Matese Te Whiwhi and Ueuboa Eipia to His Honor I. E. Featiierston. Otaki, Tihema 9, 1865. E Hoa,— He kupu tenei na mana ki akoe, ko nga moni utu o nga reti o Bangitikei kia mau tonu to pupuru kaua o whakaputaia hohorotia c koe kei waiho ano hei take pakanga ma nga Iwi c toru. Engari hei to ringa ano pupuru ai ta te mea kei te takoto marama tonu te ritenga mo aua reti kia tae raano kite hokonga rawatanga o te whenua hei reira ka homai c koe nga moni o nga reti, kia wehewhea ki nga Iwi c toru ta te mea ma te hoko anake ki a Te Kuini ka takoto marama ai tera whenua a Eangitikei putu noa ki Manawatu ka mutu ai hoki te raruraru, me whakarongo tonu koe ki tenei kupu a maua, kei whakangawari kau koe i runga i te tohe a te tangata kotahi Iwi kotahi ranei engari kia U tonu to pupuru. Ka mutu, na o hoa aroha, Na Matene Te "WniwHi. Nia Tukuta Pctatone. \ Na Ueueoa Eipia x. [teanslation.] Feiend, — Otaki, 9th December, 1865. This is our word to you. Be firm in holding the Eangitikei rent money. Don't be in haste to get it paid, lest it should become a cause of quarrel between the three tribes. Let it remain in your hands, because the arrangement respecting the (ultimate payment of) rents is perfectly clear. When the absolute sale of the land takes place, then let the purchase money and the (arrears of) rent be paid together, and be divided among the three tribes. Because it is only by selling to the 6

21

THE MANAWATU BLOCK.