TO NATIVE AFFAIBS.

A.—No. 16.

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No. 31. Mr. J. A. Knocks to the Under-Secretary, Native Department. Resident Magistrate's Office, Sir,— _ Otaki, 4th April, 1870. I have the honor to report that the Oroua Hauhaus, acccompanied by all from Manawatu, Poroutawhao, Ohau and Waikawa, numbering about one hundred, arrived at Tainui Pukekaraka, Otaki, on Saturday. To-day they and the Ngatiawa who have been at Katituku, Otaki, since Friday last, have assembled here in the village, at a house named liaukawa. The whole of the day has been taken up in crying and supplying food. This evening the meeting is expected to express their experiences and intentions, whether for law and order or otherwise. Wi Hapi and Heremia te Tihi, who were expected, declined coming to Otaki, unexpectedly; it is said through shame at having gone to meet the Whanganuis at Turakina, without consulting their brothers, the Ngatiraukawa and Ngatiawa. I hope to report by next post the particulars of the meeting that comes off to-night. I have written this in haste, as Taia Rupuha is about starting to Wellington. The Under-Secretary, Native Department, I have, &c, Wellington. __ J. A. Knocks.

No. 32. Mr. J. A. Knocks to the Under-Secretary, Native Department. Resident Magistrate's Office, Sir,— . . Otaki, 11th April, 1870. I have the honor to forward herewith Matene Te Whiwhi's report of a meeting held at Otaki, on the sth and 6th iastant, at which about three hundred natives were present, with a translation thereof. He has excluded what Wi Tako and Wi Parata said, who spoke only upon sending Maori representatives to the General Assembly, stating to the meeting that the Maoris at present had no opportunity of assisting to make the laws of the country ; that they were compelled to submit to laws made by the whiteman only, many of which were disagreeable to the Maori, some of which laws they were ignorant of until they felt them. That it would be otherwise if they would consent to send representatives of their own, who would see that their rights were attended to. That they should choose the most intelligent men without consideration of rank, that there should be no jealousy or distinction whether Queenite or Hauhau, chief or plebeian, —send their best men. Wi Parata quite pleased the meeting with his election speech. Tamihana Te Rauparaha: I salute this meeting, those who have acted according to my advice, as well as those who have not. The whiteman wishes the Maoris well, he asks us to become elder and younger brothers together. lam glad we have so far kept peace in our district. I have a few words to say about the Ngatiapa, who are attempting a claim to Horowhenua. They have no right there ; we must oppose them. Parakaia now attempted to introduce the Rangitikei question, which was opposed by Matene te Whiwhi and Karanama te Kapukai, who said they had not met to discuss that question, and after some wrangling Parakaia sat down. Karanama then read a letter from Wi Hapi relative to their paying a visit to Tawhiao, and also the Gazette containing what Wi Hapi had said at a meeting at Turakina ; expressing their disappointment at his not being present at this meeting, and their disapproval at Wi Hapi going among a strange tribe to express his altered intentions. Te Roera Hukiki, Te Watene, and Moihi, all of Horowhenua, got up one after the other, and denied that the Ngatiapa had any claim to Horowhenua, or any right to come there to arrange disputed boundaries; that they the owners of the land, now that Te Whatanui is dead, would not meetKawana Hunia, nor allow him to alter the boundary line fixed by the original Te Whatanui. That if Kawana Hunia came armed, they had arms, and would resist the Ngatiapa. Ihakara said: I have come on purpose to meet Kawana Hunia and to settle the Horowhenua dispute, and I think the Ngatiraukawa will not do well to remain away. Henare Herekau said: Ido not believe Ihakara, he told me some untruths about our land at Manawatu ; be careful how you deal with the Horowhenua dispute. The meeting here became confused, some of the Ngatiraukawa chiefs saying they would meet the Ngatiapa at Horowhenua, and others declaring they would not. It being late the meeting broke up. The Ngatiawa did not join in the question in any way. Ihakara, Henare Te Herekau and others, chiefs from Manawatu, are still here and are holding secret ruangas, it is said about the Horowhenua question. The late meeting was carried out in a most orderly manner, there not being the least sign of drunkenness among the natives. The Under-Secretary Native Department, I have, &c., Wellington, J. A. Knocks.

Enclosure in No. 32. [translation.] Otaki, sth April, 1870. In the evening we assembled in the house, the name of that house is Raukawa. The tribes who assembled at this meeting were Ngatiawa, Ngatiraukawa, and other tribes. When all were in, Tamihana Te Rauparaha stood up and spoke ; after him Karanama ; after him myself (Matene Te Whiwhi), when I opened out a subject for discussion by the meeting. ' 7