A.—No. 8.

sell the torses, together with his reply. Captain Mace and his men refused to give up their horses, stating they were authorized by Major-General Chute to take any horses they saw. I beg also to enclose copy of a letter from J. Beddy, interpreter at Opunake, about the same horses. To show how arbitrarily things are being carried on at the outposts, I herewith enclose a statement of Mr. "W. Carrington, interpreter at outpost. The Natives there spoken of were three old men who had supplied guides for Captain Corbett's company, and were, at the time, away with him. I have, &c, B. Parris, The Hon. the Native Minister, A'Vellington. Civil Commissioner. Enclosure 1 in No. 2. Copy of a Letter from Mr. B. Pakbis to Mr. J. C. Siiaklaxd, New Plymouth. (44) Sir,— Xew Plymouth, 13th February, 1866. I have the honor to inform you that two Natives, named Heta and Hona, came to my office this morning to prefer a complaint to eight (8) horses which they informed me they saw in your enclosure by the south road this morning, and supposing these are some of the horses you have advertised for sale to-morrow, the duty devolves upon me of informing you that the person or persons who have put the horses claimed by Heta and Hona into your possession for sale will be held liable for them, until otherwise decided in a Court of justice. I have, &c, J. C. Sharland, Esq., Auctioneer, &c., &c., B. Parris, New Plymouth. Civil Commissioner. Enclosure 2 in, No. 2. Copy of a Letter from Mr. E. Parris to J. C. Siiarlajtd. (48) Sib,— New Plymouth, 16th February, 1866. Adverting to my letter of the 13th instant, I have now the honor to request that you will furnish me with the name or names of the person or persons who instructed you to offer for sale at auction the horses referred to and which were claimed by certain Natives on the day of sale. I have, &c, E. Parris, J. C. Sharland, Esq., Auctioneer, New Plymouth. Civil Commissioner. Enclosure 3 in No. 2. Copy of a Letter from Mr. J. C. Sharland to Mr. B. Parris. Sir, — New Plymouth, 17th February, 1866. In reply to your letter of the 16th ultimo, I have to inform you that I was instructed by the Mounted Corps (of this place) to sell some horses brought in by them, and I accordingly sold such as they indicated were for sale. "With reference to those horses which, you stated in your letter, were claimed by Natives, I did not sell them, nor can I give you any information relative to their disposal. I have, &c, The Civil Commissioner, New Plymouth. J. C. Siiaklaxd. Enclosure 4 in No. 2. Copy of a Letter from Mr. John Beddy to Mr. E. Parris. Sir, — Camp Opunaki, 13th February, 1566. I beg to report for your information that some horses were captured from the friendly Natives on or about the 11th instant, by Captain Mace and some of the Mounted Corps on their way from Wanganui to this post, and several of the horses being claimed by the Natives, I at once acquainted the officer commanding here, Captain Livesay, 43rd L. 1., with the circumstance, who took steps to arrange with Captain Mace that the horses were to be given up to the Natives ; the horses having been taken to town, 1 have thought it my duty, in obedience to your orders, to forward you the particulars for your decision. 1 have also desired the Natives to forward you the full description and marks of the horses they lay claim to. I have, &c, John Eeddt, E. Parris, Esq., New Plymouth. Interpreter. Enclosure 5 in No. 2. Copy of a Statement by Mr. Cahrixgtox. Taranaki, 13th February, 1566. Ou Wednesday, 7th instant, some Natives came to Stoney Eiver camp to sell their peaches. Captain Horau sent for me and told me to tell them that he wanted them as guides to point out an inland

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CORRESPONDENCE RELATIVE TO