A.—No. 19.

No. 16. Copy of a Letter from Archdeacon Hadfield to the Hon. J. C. Eiciimond. Sir,— Otaki, 28th August, 1867. I have the honor to enclose certain extracts from letters received by Matene Te Whiwhi relating to the threats alleged to have been made by Dr. Featherston at Tawhirihoe, on the 29th June. Matene Te Whiwhi also informs me that Mete Kingi, of Whanganui, recently told him and others that Major McDonnell had given notice that a body of armed men would be required at an early date to act in the Eangitikei Block. I have. &c, The Hon. J. C. Eichmond, Wellington. Octavius Hadfieid.

Enclosure in No. 16. 1. From Letter by Pabaniht and others. " Tahauti, Eangitikei, Hurae 13, 1867. " Tetahi take ko te kupu a Te Petatone c ki ana ia kia tukua inai c ia nga rau c 500 me a ratou pu ano hei ruri i Eangitikei." 2. From Letter by Heremia Te Tihi. " Tahauti, Hurae 15, 1867. " Ko te kupu a Tc Petatone he tika rawa tena kupu i rangono [c] koutou i putu tonu i Tona waha i te huihuinga ki Tawhirihoe a Na To Pura i hamumu ki Orona tana kupu ronga katoa a Ngatikauwhata ko tenei kupu kua tukua atu ki o korua ringaringa." 3. From Letter by Topi Te Kahtiwhara. " Puketarata wahi o Taupo, Akuhata 3, 1867. " Kua ronga ahau kia Te Kepa Te Hurinui kua tae mai to whakahau a Meke Tanara* kia te Arawa kia haere atu ki Eangitikei kite whawhai ka haero atu ranei kaore ranei."

[translations.] 1. From Letter by Paranim and others. " Tahauti, Eangitikei, 13th July, 1867. " Another matter is this: the word of Dr. Featherston. He says he will send five hundred (500) men with their guns to survey Eangitikei." 2. From Letter by Hekemia te Tihi. " Tahauli, 15th July, 1867. " About the word spoken by Dr. Featherston. What you have heard is perfectly true. It proceeded from his own mouth on the occasion of the meeting at Tawhirihoe; and Mr. Buller spoke that same word at Orona, and all the Ngatikauwhata heard it—this word which has been sent to your hands." 3. From Letter by Topi te Kahuwhara. " Puketarata Taupo, 3rd August, 1867. " I have heard from Tc Kepa te Hurinui that a command from McDonnell has been received by the Arawa directing them to go to Eangitikei and fight. They may possibly go, and they may not."

No. 17. Copy of Letter from Archdeacon Hadfield to Mr. Kolleston. Sir,— Otaki, 29th August, 1867. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 20th instant, written by direction of the Hon. Mr. Bichmond, and the accompanying Memorandum by Mr. Buller, of the 12th instant. In your letter of July the 20th, in reply to one from me enclosing an extract from a letter by Ffenere Te Hcrekau, stating that Dr. Fcatherston had, on the 29th of June, at a meeting of Natives at Tawhirihoe, threatened that 500 armed men should go to protect the survey of a portion of the Eangitikei Block : you say, " that the statements of Henere To Herekau are absolutely denied by Dr. Featherston." With my letter of Ist August I forwarded a statement from Eaweri Te "Wanui, who affirmed that he had heard from Pumipi and Moroati precisely the same account of what was said by Dr. Featherston on the occasion already referred to. I then made the following remark: "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." Mr. Buller now says, " The statement alleged to have been made by Kiharoa and Pumipi to Eaweri To "Wanui is untrue." He further proceeds to say that I, who was the medium of communicating these statements to the Government, am " bound either to substantiate or withdraw them." It seems almost incredible that Mr. Buller is unable to see that the statements contained in his own Memorandum so far from being contradictory to the charges brought by Henere Te Herekau and Eawiri Te Wainui altogether confirm them. Mr. Buller says they are " untrue," but when he goes on to explain what was said at the meeting, his own statement (omitting the scarcely pertinent matter which he has unnecessarily • Thia is, I believe, Major McDonnell.

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THE MANAWATU BLOCK.