A.—No. 19.

Mr. T. C. Williams, on the subject of an alleged threat by His Honor Dr. Featherston, at a meeting held on the 29 th June last. In reply, I am to inform you that the statements of Henere Te Herekau are absolutely denied by .Dr. Featherston, who states that he prevented armed Natives going on the land. I have, &c, The Venerable Archdeacon Hadfield, W. Eolleston, Otaki. Under Secretary.

No. 12. Copy of a Letter from Archdeacon Hadfield to Mr. Eolleston. Sir— Otaki, Ist August, 18G7. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 20th ultimo, in which you inform me that " the statements of Henere te Herekau are absolutely denied by Dr. Peatherston." As I placed implicit reliance on Henero Te llcrekau's voracity, I forwarded those statements to the Government. I have now desired time to obtain a written statement from Pumipi and Moroati, who "were present at the meeting at Tawhirihoo, on the 29th June. In the meantime I enclose a statement from Bawiri Te Wanui, who heard all the particulars from them. lam aware that this is only secondary evidence, but the other shall be forwarded as soon as possible after its receipt by me. It would appear that a very important question is now raised as to the accuracy of Mr. Buller's interpretations, Dr. Featherston's denial being absolutely contradictory to what several trustworthy Natives affirm they heard from Mr. Buller's own lips, while professing to interpret for Dr. Featherston. I am, &c, W. Eolleston, Esq., Octavius Hadfield. Under Secretary, Native Secretary's Office.

Enclosure in No. 12. Hurae 31, ISO 7. Ko aku korcro tenei i rongo ai au ki a Pumipi i tona taenga mai i Eangitikei ki Otaki nei, ko nga korero enei a te Petatone, ko te Pura te kai-whaka-maori, ko nga kupu i puta mai i te walia o te Pura ko ia enci. Ko nga iwi c haere kite whakatakoto ite rohe tapahi mai ote taha ki uta o Eangitikei Oroua, ko Ngatiapa ko Whanganui, ko te Paneiri, ko Ngatikahuhunu, ko Eangitane Ida rima rail (500) tangata kia rima rau (500) pu; mo te haere atu o nga kai-whakararuraru kite whakararuraru, kahore ona ritenga. Tuarua o aku rongonga, na te Moroati, ko raua hold ko Pumipi i rongo tonu ki aua korcro a te Pura ki a Ngatiraukawa tuku whenua, c ki ana a Pumipi raua ko te Moroati lie tika nga korero a te Pura ekore c taea te whakakahore, tika rawa, tika rawa. Na Eawiei Te Wanui.

[translation.] 31st July, 18G7. These are the words which I heard from Te Pumipi upon his return to Otaki, here, from Eangitikei. These are the words of Dr. Peatherston as interpreted by Mr. Buller. The words which proceeded from the mouth of Mr. Buller are these: —" The tribes who go to lay down the outer boundary from Eangitikei to Orona, are the Ngatiapa, Whanganui, Te Paneiri, Ngatikahuhunu and Eangitane, in all numbering 500 men, and having 500 guns, so that when the troubles go to trouble (obstruct the survey) it will not be their fault." The second time I heard it from Te Moroati, for he and Te Pumipi themselves heard Mr. Buller telling the Ngatiraukawa land sellers. Pumipi and Te Moroati say it is quite correct that Mr. Buller said so, and it cannot be denied, it is quite correct, quite correct. Bawiei Te Wanui.

No. 13. Memorandum by Mr. Btjller on Archdeacon Hadfield's Letter, Ist August, 1567. The statement alleged to have been made by Kiharoa and Pumipi to Bawiri Te Wanui is untrue. Kiharoa and Pumipi (both of whom have opposed the sale of the Manawatu-Kangitikei Block) were present at the Tawhirihoe meeting on the 29th June last. There were upwards of twenty other Natives present. At the close of the meeting, and in reply to a question from Noa Te Eauhihi Dr. Featherston stated (through me) that Kawana Hunia had offered to go with 500 men to cut the inland boundary of the ceded block, but that he had refused to sanction any step of this kind at present, being extremely anxious to get the question of reserves and dissentients' claims disposed of first. Noa then asked whether the party would go armed. His Honor replied that Kawana Hunia had distinctly stated his intention of going armed, alleging that this was necessary for his own protection, in consequence of the threats of a section of the Ngatiraukawa. His Honor repeated that he would not send them at present, and that when they did go they would be accompanied by himself and Mr. Buller. Noa then said that he had asked this question at the request of his brother Ngawaka, who, on hearing the report, had been greatly alarmed, believing that although the ostensible object was the cutting of the boundary line, the real one was the capture of himself and followers for the part they had taken in the late war. Dr. Featherston assured Noa that Ngawaka's fears were entirely groundless, and that the Government had no intention whatever of authorizing or permitting his seizure. He stated, that on the 4

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THE MANAWATU BLOCK.