A.—No. 20.

8

PAPEES RELATIVE TO

Te Moananui claims, in conjunction with Tawaha, of Ngaiterangi, a block of land at Katikati, commencing at Motukouru ; thence by the sea coast to the mouth of the Eiver Tuapiro; thence by that river and passing to the south of Hikurangi to Bua Kiore: thence by the base of the hills to the southern boundary of Te Moananui's block ; thence along that boundary to Motukouau. This claim has not been investigated; Tawaha did not appear. Recommended —That Te Moananui and Tawaha should arrange it between themselves; as we are not aware that there is any dispute in the matter. Henry T. Clarke, Civil Commissioner, Tauranga; James Mackat, jun., Civil Commissioner, Hauraki; 27th December, 1864. Arbitrators. In the course of investigation it came out that Taraia Ngakuti claims a block of land extending from Te Kauri to Te Puna; but as Te Moananui did not like to give evidence in the absence of Taraia, we did not deem it advisable to enter into the question of his claims. It is probable his claims would be made on the same ground as those of Te Moananui. HeNBY T. ClAItKE, Civil Commissioner, Tauranga. James Mackat, jun., 28th December, 1864. Civil Commissioner, Hauraki. A copy of this was givon to Ngaiterangi, and one to Te Moananui. 28th December, 1864. James Mackay, jun.

No. 7. Copy of a Letter from Mr. Claeke to the Hon. the Native Minister. Civil Commissioner's Office, Sic, — Tauranga, 21th January, ISGS. Referring to your letter of the 17th instant, informing me that Mr. Drummond Hay has been authorized by the Native Land Court to survey the Katikati Block, and that if I think my presence necessary at the survey, I must repair there at once: I have the honor to inform you, that in the present unsettled state of this district, it will be impossible for me to leave the Tauranga Natives to go to Katikati. I have, &c., The Hon. the Native Minister, Henry S. Clarke, Wellington. Civil Commissioner.

No. S. Copy of a Letter from Mr. Heale to the Hon. the Defence Minister. Sic,— Auckland, 7th April, 18G5. The survey of the whole coast line of Tauranga being completed, the township of To Puna laid off, and the land near Te Papa and Otumoetai having been subdivided into 50 acres and 100 acre sections, I apprehend that no further surveying can be carried on with advantage in the district until a final determination is come to as to the laud to bo confiscated, and a settlement made of the Native land claims. I have therefore closed the survey, and purpose withdrawing my parties on completion of their present work. My occupation at Tauranga having thrown me into contact with nearly all the sections of Natives inhabiting the district, and having forced upon me a full knowledge of their feelings and position with respect to their lands, I should not fulfil my duty if I omitted again to bring before the attention of the Government the disastrous condition of excitement and discontent which is kept up amongst them, as well as the real injury which must arise both to them and to the Colony from the continued delay in settling the vital questions affecting their land. When first I went to Tauranga and commenced the surveys in September last, I found the Natives everywhere near the coast in the full expectation that all the available land in the front would be immediately surveyed for occupation by Military Settlers. Far from being opposed to this, they were generally anxious for it to be done quickly. They looked upon the settlement of the district as a defence to themselves against their declared enemies on the South and their over-bearing friends on the North and West, and they considered the Government pledged to effect it immediately. It was perfectly understood that the greater portion of the front land would be confiscated, and that some claims, as at Te Puna, not properly subject to confiscation, would be paid for under a contract, on account of which they received a large sum of money. This condition of expectancy of immediate occupation continued for several months after the survey of the township of Te Puna was completed (the end of November). I was continually pressed with inquiries as to when the military were coming to occupy it; and even down to the time of the secession of the bulk of the Ngaiterangi Natives to the forest to join the Paimariri worshippers, this expectation and desire continued. While the alarm created by that secession was fresh, a meeting of the Natives who remained was held at Te Papa, and the burden of the speeches of all the leaders was " Homai he kakahu ma, kia nui te kakahu ma kia mahama ahau," referring as the cause of the disturbance to the want of the protection of white settlements strong enough to enable them safely to withstand the pressure of the inland tribes. If the intention to form a military settlement at Tauranga should bo carried out, there is absolutely only one way in which it can be done with any chance of success or with justice to the Natives. It will be necessary to occupy all the front land, with the exception of the few spots which are partly occupied by Natives, and about which their tribal traditions centre, and