ISSUED TO FRIENDLY NATIVES.

25

D.—No. 21

Enclosure in No. 52. RETURN of ARMS AND ACCOUTREMENTS still in possession of KUPAPAS of the NGATIAPA TRIBE. 19th November, 1866.

The above-mentioned men had the arms issued to them as above, but, from their habit of changing, they may not now be in possession of the individuals, but are certainly in that of the tribe. Their place of residence I cannot give in every case, but their district is between Wanganui. and Rangitikei. W. E. Gudgeon, Lieutenant in charge of Kupapas and N.C.

R—No. 53. Copy of a Letter from Captain Holt to Mr. Booth. (No. 2203-2.) Colonial Defence Office, Sir,— Wellington, 3rd December, 1866. I have the honor, by direction of the Hon. Mr. Richmond, acting for the Defence Minister, to enclose herewith a nominal return of Native Kupapas recently on service on the Patea District under Major McDonnell to whom arms were issued from the Militia Office at Wanganui, but who did not return them into store with the rest, on their return to Wanganui, when the services of the Kupapas were dispensed with. Aperahama Tipai, it is understood, retains his breech-loading carbine with the express sanction of His Excellency the Governor ; but as it is not desirable that the remainder of the Natives mentioned in the return should be allowed to keep their arms, I am to request you will be good enough to endeavour quietly, and without causing excitement, to obtain the arms from them, and, on receipt, that you will send them down to Lieut.-Colonel Gorton, at Wanganui. I have, &c, J. HOLT, James Booth, Esq., R.M., Upper Wanganui. Under Secretary.

G.—No. 54. Copy of a Letter from Lieut.-Colonel Gorton to the Hon. J. C. Richmond. (No. 604.)' Sir,— Camp Waihi, 21st March, 1867. I have the honor to inform you that the Native Contingent selected their land yesterday. I reported in my letter to Government, No. 561, of the 16th instant, that this corps are under the impression that they will receive rations after they are struck off pay. I know from your instructions to me you are most anxious that they should be disarmed when they are struck off pay, which could be easily done provided the Government did not compel them to remain on their land until their term of service is completed, which I think would bo hardly fair without arms or rations, especially the former. Ido not think they would object to give up their arms at once, if they were informed they could go to their homes, and need not live on their land to obtain their Crown Grant. I have, &c, Tho Hon. J. C. Richmond, Wellington. E. Gorton, Lieut.-Colonel, Commanding W.M. District, and Local Forces Patea.

G— No. 55. Copy of a Letter from Captain Holt to the Officer Commanding Colonial Forces, Patea. (No. 213-2.) Colonial Defence Office, Sir,— Wellington, 30th March, 1867. I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of Lieut.-Colonel Gorton's letter, of the 21st instant, No. 604, having reference to the disarmament of the Native Contingent when struck off pay. In reply, I am directed to point out to you that one of the conditions of service upon which land is granted to the Native Contingent is, " that they should hold and occupy it with a portion of their number for a period of three years from tho date of their embarkation for Opotiki." Those, therefore, who remain on their land, will for the present be allowed to retain their arms ; and I am to request you 7

Rank aud Name. Name of Tribe. Place of Residence. No. of Eifle. Description of Arms. Remarks. !hief Hunia Heke ... Ngatiapa 1255 Breech-loader Lives, I think, at Wangahu.—Pouch, belts, and cap pocket. Pouch, belt, and cap pocket. Retained by order of Sir G. Grey. Pouch, belt, and cap pocket. Place of residence unknown. fliief Hapurona Jhief Aperahama Tipai 'rivate Wiremu Eangitikei Turakina 1426 305 3272 Medium 'rivate Aterea Kaka 'rivate Matina 'rivate Pauro 'rivate Piripi 'rivate Hone Huia ... 'rivate Karina Rangitikei 878 888 2207 1780 78 2233 33 Turakina 33 33