A.—No. 4.

reasonable. I added that the sitting of the Native Land Court would also be expedited by this arrangement. I then asked them to let me know their thoughts. Bakatau said, " I agree to the survey of my piece of land." Toenga said, " I want tho boundaries settled first." Hamuera supported the previous speaker. Ihakara Ngapuke said, " I have heard Mr. Halse's words, and agree to tho survey. I wish the work to be commenced at once." Wi Naira said, " I have a question to ask Mr. Halse: To whom does this Island belong ?" I replied that the question was one for the Judges of tho Court to decide. Wiremu Wharepu said, " I want the boundaries settled, because we are continually disputing about them." I replied that the survey and the Court would put an end to all disputes about boundaries. Wiremu Tapu (Moriori) said, " Hearken, this Island is claimed by my masters, the Maoris, and by us the Morions, and there is a great deal of confusion —there is also confusion amongst the Maoris themselves —one says the land is his, another says it is his, this is the cause of confusion. We the Morioris, have nothing to say because everything rests with our masters. The law (Native Lands Act) read by you is only understood by the young men who have been to school. Do you listen, the desire to lease land here is very strong, nothing else is thought of. We do not know whether the land belongs to the Maoris or to us. Make this clear that we may know." Toenga said, " I am the man for leasing, I have leased land to the Pakehas, to Mr. Chudleigh, and to Mr. Marshall, and intend to lease all the land. If other Pakehas were here I would point them out." Ihaka Ngapuke said, " I wish the survey to bo commenced at once, do not delay it, if you do, the people will be of the same opinion as they are now. Hasten the survey that the work may be quickly over." Toenga said, " I like the system of leasing; I have ten Pakehas in my pocket, and shall lease to the highest bidder." Tamarilvi liaumoa said, " I am for the survey, and when the work is finished I shall send my claims to the Court, if the Court cut off a portion of them I will abandon all my land and go to New Zealand." Toenga said, " I know why Tamariki talks in that manner, he has been promised 500 acres at Taranaki by Mr. Parris. What is there for me ? Nothing. Ido not believe the Government will give mo land there, and my people are of the same opinion." I asked Toenga whether a letter had been received on the subject of the claims of the people of this Island to land in the Taranaki District. He rej>lied that such a letter had been received, but he did not know where it was, and he had forgotten the contents. Meeting adjourned till ten o'clock to-morrow morning. On the 3rd of April, tho meeting was renewed, and conducted in much the same manner as before. As Toenga still opposed the survey, and with increasing energy, I told him that we were throwing away time by prolonging the discussion, and suggested that it should be discontinued : that the proposal I had made was for his benefit and if he did not like to accept it he could leave it alone, that the Government had no desire to force him to send his claims to the Court. Wi Naira intimated that the " korero " was finished, and I left the meeting. In the evening, Tangere invited the whole of the opposition, including their wives and children, to his house. Wi Naira and Ihaka Ngapuke were present. After a long silence, Tangere addressing the meeting (at which some forty were present) said, " I have called you together to talk over the proposal made to you yesterday by our friend Mr. Halse (I should have been present if I had not been detained by Captain Thomas at the Court of Inquiry). I think the proposal that has been made is good, and that it is our interest to agree to it. We all know that the land is the cause of great confusion, no person knows whether his boundary is here or there. This is the reason why I ask you to agree to the survey. I wish these troubles to be discontinued. Ido not ask one or two to agree, I ask all of you to agree, and if you agree, I shall know that you mean it." Three elderly men successively agreed to the survey; they were followed by the same number of young men, who said that as the elderly men had agreed to the survey it was sufficient, that they the young men also consented. Toenga said, " The words of Tangere are true. This is what I have to say —In opposing the survey, I acted as a mouth-piece for my people, they have now agreed, I also agree." He then said, " Mr. Halse, you have caught your fish." Tangere said, " Do you all agree to the survey? " they replied unanimously, "Yes." Tangere and other Natives hoped that Mr. T. 11. Smith would be sent down 1 as Judge, accompanied by Assessors from Kaipara or Ngapuhi. They did not want Assessors from Wellington, Wanganui, or Taranaki, because they were related to them. This closed the business, and most of the meeting went away to their houses. On the sth, I started with Mr. Shand, junior, for Kaingaroa. We had only ridden a few miles when the "St. Kilda" was seen outside Whangaroa, and therefore only proceeded as far as Te Whanga (Tho Large Lake). This is a fine sheet of water, about twenty-five miles in length, and in some parts fifteen miles wide. In the shallowest part it contracts to about six miles, and affords a safe crossing on horseback when the waters flow freely into the sea. The scenery on the Waitangi side is of the usual character, and grows right down to the beach. We met three Morioris on a fishing expedition (the lake being a celebrated place for eels), they recognized Mr. Shand, and, instead of asking questions, came up and welcomed me in a very friendly manner. I was told that these people always treat the settlers with respect, and evince great pleasure when visited by any person connected with the Government. Shortly after our return to Waitangi, the " St. Kilda " came up and anchored. In the evening

4

REPORT ON THE CHATHAM