CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS IN THE NORTH ISLAND.

A.—No. 17.

49

Enclosure in No. 110. Translation of a Letter from Poihipi to His Honor J. D. Ormond. Tapuaeharuru, Taupo, To Mr. Ormond. 25th. March, 1870. Friend, salutations to you. I have seen your thoughts about the King, and agree to them, and also wishing all to be on their guard against Te Kooti, which is also good. I will bear it in mind, but I will lot you know my opinion also. In the first place, this island fought against the pakehas. The chiefs were jealous of the inferior men ; then followed the Treaty of Waitangi, when some chiefs tried to do away with the power of other chiefs. That work was wrong. Hone Heke was offensive, so was Rangihaeata at Wanganui. I am not clear; lam still seeking the right. These evils were on the coast. I was in those times engaged in. forwarding the works of the Government in the middle of this island, but they would not listen to me. All the chiefs of this island were against me. Then I thought, as all were quiet, about the roads, and asked for the mail from Auckland to Napier, and also for the road work, and it was all given me by the Government ; but as soon as this was made public it was not agreed to. A few were agreeable, but all the chiefs of this island said, "No ; if the road was made, this island would be mate (dead)." This was their word. The friendly natives would not listen ; they allowed me to stand alone at that time. That is the reason that fighting was prolonged. Then the King was appointed to stop road-making and the sale of land. After this fighting took place at Waikato. Then the Government wished to make peace. I took their proposal to Waikato and all the other places. I did so, knowing that peace would not be accepted. I asked the Government to have the roads made, but it was not hastened. If it had been, by the time this evil had arisen the road would have been completed, and Europeans and natives have travelled quickly and caught Te Kooti, or fighting would have ceased, as they would be divided. The King natives could not have gone over to the Urewera, nor the Urewera to the King. This is a veryold idea of mine. Secondly, I asked Governor Grey to send 1,000 soldiers to be stationed at Taupo. This was the reason I went to Otago. Thirdly, you have now come and have urged the roadwork, as Te Kooti has escaped. I alone agree to this, but the friendly natives hold back. Their boast was they would follow Te Kooti, but he has escaped. If they had listened to you to open the road, to build and occupy redoubts extending as far as Tauranga, then driven him from Tuhua, he would before this have been caught, as there would have been great numbers on the watch for him. This is right that the natives should cease. Do not follow him any more ; the Government money is being expended in useless journeys from one place to another, and in remaining idly in other places. This is my idea to allow Te Kooti to settle clown quietly, and wait till Tapuaeharuru is completed, and Europeans are settled in their pa. Build another at Opepe, at Pahaitea, or at Moturoa ; another at Tarawera, Te Haroto, Titiokura. When these are occupied, turn in the direction of Tauranga to the nearest point, so that the line may be quickly completed. Build apa at Puketarata, and another at Te Niho-o-te-kiore, another at Horohoro, another at Ohinomutu, to be all occupied with Europeans and natives. Let the most of the men be here at Tapuaeharuru, in the centre, watching both ends. My wish is that all should assemble from Wellington, Wanganui, Auckland, Tauranga and Napier, to Taupo, here into one place to catch him. The officers of the soldiers are capable of taking chai-ge of the drill. There may perhaps be some person who is desirous of bringing his wheat to the mill, it will rest entirely with the person in charge, as he has the directing of the water to turn it either on to the wheel, whereby the stones will be moved, and the wheat ground to dust. On the other hand, if the course of the water is stopped and broken open by a flood, the whole country will be deluged. The sea will rush in, and all the Hauhaus will be destroyed. There will be no hiding-place for them. Here is an old idea of mine, which remaius to the present day, that although all these tribes follow Te Kooti, namely, the Arawa, Ngatihau, Ngatikahungunu, and Ngatiporou, it will be a long while before they go over this island. It is spending your money for naught. My wish is that the money be expended in road-making, as the Hauhaus have expressed their determination to stop my road. I will be firm. Send me word. I will not go to the King. lam waiting daily for Te Kooti. This hope keeps me alive. Do not let any natives see these thoughts of mine. From Poihipi Tukairangi.

No. 111. Copy of a Letter from the Hon. Mr. Gisborne to His Honor J". D. Ormond. Colonial Defence Office, Sir,— Wellington, 16th April, 1870. I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 2nd instant, covering a communication from the Chief Poihipi concerning the Taupo road-works. Will your Honor be good enough to forward the enclosed reply to Poihipi by an early opportunity. I have, «kc, His Honor J. D. Ormond, Esq., Napier. W. Gisborne.

Enclosure in No. 111. Copy of a Letter from tlie Hon. Mr. Gisborne to Poihipi. To Te Poihipi. Wellington, 16th April, 1870. Salutation. Mr. Ormond has .sent your letter to him to the Government, in which you point out how you have constantly striven to aid tho Government in maintaining the peace of the Island and in. carrying on the great work of road-making. Your letter has been read with great pleasure by the Ministers of the Government, but it has not told them what they did not know. It is not to-day that they hear of the course which has been pursued