A.—No. 16.

CORRESPONDENCE RELATING

4

"WAIKATO. No. 3. Mr. Searancke, R.M., to the Hon. the Native Minister. Sir,— Hamilton, 28th August, 1869. I have the honor to inform you that on Monday last the 23rd inst., I proceeded to Rangiriri • most unfortunately, for the want of a canoe, I was unable to cross to Taupiri to see the Rev. Heta Tarawhiti on my way down. I also met the whole of the Natives from Wahi and the neighborhood of the coal mines, on their way to Ngaruawahia with a large quantity of Kauri gum for sale. At Rangiriri I found Wiremu Te Wheoro and his force of thirty Natives in the Redoubt there. He complained to me that they would, if kept there much longer, be unable to get their crops into the ground this season. I purpossd recommending that if the Government considered it necessary to keep this post up, that it should be with a much smaller force. A telegram from the Resident Minister, received within the last few hours, however, informs me that they are to be dismissed at the end of this month ; a determination in which I cordially agree, as on looking over Te Wheoro's force I found a large number of them totally unknown to me, and certainly several who, not very long ago, were with, and I believe of, the King's party ; had his authorised force been less in numbers, this would not have been the case. J remained at Rangiriri on Tuesday, and obtained the services of a fatigue party of the Natives to weed and clean up the graveyard there. On my return from Rangiriri I was enabled to cross over to see the Rev. Heta Tarawhiti. He showed me a letter from Tamati Manuwhiri of the 22nd inst.—a mistake in date I believe. It merely spoke of Te Kooti's movements, and their intentions had they not left this district; also of the peaceable wishes of Tawhiao and the Waikatos. Heta told me that he had another letter from Tamati of a much more important and friendly tone, but after a long search told me could not find it. The Rev. Heta Tarawhiti endeavoured very strongly to impress upon me the friendly feelings of the Waikatos, and the utter impossibility of their ever disturbing the peace of this district. As the Rev. Heta Tarawhiti is I am aware in regular communication with Tamati by overland messengers, I cannot but be cautious in listening to him, believing that he at least takes his cue from Tamati. I found also that there is a number of visitors from the King's party at some of the settlements in the Waikato. I informed TTeta that I was of course glad to hear of the friendly and peaceable intentions of the King's party, but would prefer to see something of a more tangible nature than a more report. I also asked Heta the meaning of the late " Panui," the Pakehas to the Pakehas and the Maoris to the Maoris, but he was unable to explain it. I believe the Rev. Heta Tarawhiti to be completely in the confidence of the King's party. I purpose proceeding to Raglan on Monday the 6th of September, and also to Aotea, if the state of the roads will allow of my doing so, and on my return to visit all the Native settlements on the confiscated boundary. I forward herewith a copy of an intercepted letter from a friendly native of Taupiri, addressed to Te Kooti, —the letter was accompanied by a soda water bottle full of rum, was intercepted by an agent of mine, and whether proceeding from fear or from friendship, is very significant in its tone. I have not taken any notice of it to the writer, but believe that it expresses the views of the majority of the Kupapas. I have, &c, The Hon. the Native Minister, Wm. Searancke, R. M., Wellington. Waikato and Raglan.

Enclosure No. 1 in No. 3. Kia Te Kooti,— Te Kopua, Hurae 18, 1869. Tena koe, ko taku aroha tenei kia koe 2 karaihe he maeke tanga tena. Na Rawiri Motu Tarata.

[translation.] To Te Kooti,— Te Kopua, July 18, 1869. Salutations —that is my regard for you, 2 glasses to keep out the cold. Prom Rawiei Motu Tarata.

BAY OE PLENTY. No. 4. Mr. Clarke to the Under-Secretary Native Department. Civil Commissioners Office, Sir, — Tauranga, September 30, 1869. I have the honor to acquaint you, that yesterday evening a party of seven natives from Piako, arrived in this town, bringing with them a letter from Tarapipipi Te Kopara, addressed to me, requesting that a meeting might be held either at Ngaruawahia or Hauraki, on the 10th November next, to discuss evidently past grievances.