A.—No. 18.

No. 1. Mr. J. Mackay to the Hon. the Colontal Seceetaet, Native Department. Sic,— _ . Auckland, 27th July, 1864. With reference to the conversations which I had the honor to have with you on the 19th instant, when I expressed my intention to proceed to Tauranga for the purpose of ascertaining the particulars of a report which had been conveyed to me, that a number of Natives from the Thames District, headed by the chief Taraia Ngakuti, had been seen in arms near Tauranga; also to look after any other matters concerning my district; to which you were pleased to give your consent in the following words: "You can go anywhere that you think you can do any good,"—l have now the honor to report on my proceedings as follows : — I started forthwith for Tauranga in the Colonial gunboat " Sandfly," Captain Marks, and arrived there about noon on the 20th instant. Mr. Baker, Resident Magistrate, and Rawiri te Ua, Native Assessor, accompanied me. Oil landing there Mr. Baker proceeded with me to the residence of Colonel G-reer, the Officer Commanding Her Majesty's forces in that district. After Mr. Baker reporting himself, and introducing me, Colonel Greer informed us of the intention of several of the rebels to surrender their arms and. return to their allegiance. He also mentioned that Mr. Rice was absent among the rebels, and expressed some anxiety about him, as he was to have sent a messenger before that time. He then requested Mr. Baker to accompany a party of the Defence Force as far as the Wairoa in search of Mr. Rice ;I, having been supplied with a horse, joined the expedition. Shortly after leaving the camp a mounted orderly recalled Mr. Baker, who returned forthwith. The expedition proceeded to the Wairoa. Soon after arriving there we perceived Mr. Rice and a party of three Natives (Wi Patene, Hohepa, and Maihi Pohepohe) on the north bank of that river. We then retraced our steps, and he shortly after overtook us. He reported having visited a part of my district, and said the Natives were coming into camp to surrender on Saturday (23rd). On returning to camp, I, with Mr. Baker, proceeded to the Native house there. Hamiora Tue, a Native Assessor, and Raniera, a Warden, informed us that Taraia and his party of Thames Natives had been at a place named Waimapu, near to Te Ranga, but had retreated on seeing a party of the Defence Force in that neighbourhood. They could not, however, furnish me with any particulars as to the names of the Natives who composed the party. They then volunteered the information that the peace movement among the Natives had originated from the " Queen's side," and it was not in their opinion a satisfactory proceeding. On 22nd July, Retemana, Wi Parera, and Tamati Mauao, three friendly chiefs of the tribe Ngaiterangi, arrived in camp, on a visit to Mr. Baker. These men expressed their disapprobation of the manner in which the proposals of peace had been made. They stated that when Mr. Rice and party were visiting Hori Tupaea's people in the neighbourhood of the Wairoa, they met with considerable discouragement, those Natives refusing to make peace; on which Hohepa, one of Mr. Rice's party, observed, that "if they did not agree to make peace, and Mr. Rice had to leave, they (Mr. Rico and party) would return to the soldiers who were in position at Wairoa." They then began to move away, when the people of Tupaea (Nga Tamariki o Tupaea) being afraid of an attack, followed them and expressed a wish to surrender. Some people of the Ngatihaua and Ngatimaru, who desired to surrender, were informed " that they were to go to their own districts and surrender—this peacemaking was for Ngaiterangi" (that the Ngaiterangi alone were to surrender at Tauranga). The rebel chief Te Amohau, having arrived in camp, I, accompanied by Mr. Baker, went to see him. In the course of conversation, Te Amohau stated that he was not aware that when rebels surrendered they gave up their lands to the Governor. He further stated that the first proposals to make peace were sent in a letter addressed to Enoka. This letter was written at Matapihi, two days after the battle of Te Ranga. There was no signature attached to it. It was as follows : — " Kia Enoka," —Tena koe ka nui taku aroha kia koutou ko tangata. Ehoa ma me aroha koutou kia Te Kuini, me tuku mai etahi pu, me etahi paura, he tohu aroha kia ia." Meaning: To Enoka, — Salutations to you. Great is my love to you, and to your people. Friends, do you be loving towards the Queen by giving up some guns and some powder, as a mark of attachment to her. Enoka and party did not consent. They said if Mr. Rice came up with Maoris they would kill them all. (Vide speech of Hori Ngatai annexed.) The letter was passed on from Enoka to Te Amohau's people. They supposed at first it had been written by Hamiora Tue, but Te Amohau compared it to a letter in his possession written by Wi Patene, and the writing corresponded with it. Mr. Rice did not visit Te Amohau's party. He went to Enoka in despite of his warning to the contrary. Other persons went to the Northern Natives (Wairoa people). Mr. Rice afterwards went to them. Te Amohau observed that they were "he mea tiki ehara i te mea kuha noa mai"—invited, did not enter of themselves. I explained the terms on which surrender would be received, and promised that when the Maoris came to the meeting the whole question would be put plainly before them.

REPORTS RELATIVE TO NEGOTIATIONS FOR PEACE WITH THE NGAITEBANGrI TRIBE.