A.—No. 19,

4

CORRESPONDENCE RELATIVE TO OHINEMURI,

on the coast (Te Hira, it appears, had recently been bewitched, and he had gone to get the spell removed), I did not consider it altogether discreet to do much more than make the acquaintance of the people. In ansAver to their inquiries as to the best method of opening up the auriferous country claimed by them at Ohinemuri, 1 strongly advised them to have their title to the land investigated by the Native Lands Court, in order that it might be clearly seen in leasing their lands to the Crown, that they did not wish to deal in the same manner by those lands which belonged to their Hauhau neighbours. This idea seemed to please them very much, the only apparent obstacle being the probable opposition the Hauhaus might offer to a survey of the lands in question. On my return to Auckland I was accompanied by the Chief Ropata, more generally known amongst the Natives as "Te Pokiha;" he came on private business, and as Aye came down the Waihou Biver Aye had a long talk. He Avent fully into the whole question of the opening up of Ohinemuri, and expressed himself as quite of the opinion, that had proper steps been taken at the first, the Upper Thames would have been open to the Miner long since ; but there had been much delay, and a great deal of opposition on the part of Taipari, Riwai Te Kiore, and Te Moananui, and others interested in the Thames Gold Fields, Avhich added much to the weight of the opposition made by Te Hira and others. He returned to-day intending to consult Avith his own immediate relatives ; and if they were of the same mind as himself, of which he said he had no reason to be doubtful, an application would at once be sent to the Native Land Court in respect of their lands at Ohinemuri. I have, &c, The Hon. the Native Minister, E. W. Pucket, Wellington. Native Officer at Thames.

No. 3. Mr. E. W. Pucket to the Hon. D. McLean. (No. 9-2.) Civil Commissioner's Office, Sic,— Auckland, 19th October, 1869. I have the honor to report that, on the 14th instant, I proceeded to Ohinemuri. I found upon my arrival at that place that the Native meeting had come to a close, and Te Moananui and others had left on the previous day, and were at that time at Puriri, about half Avay back to Shortland. I had, however, a long talk with Ropata Te Arakai, Rihi Paka, and others, from whom I learnt that the whole matter had resolved itself into the discussion of two questions —the advantages to be derived from keeping Ohinemuri shut, on the one hand, as opposed to the benefits which Avould accrue Avere it to be opened, on the other. The chief argument made use of by those opposed to ceding the land to Government was, that that course would eventuate in the loss of their land —the mana of the Queen Avould light down upon the land—their mana Avould be gone, and they would lose the land. This was replied to by Ropata's people, by saying that the benefits that would result from leasing the land would be substantial, and would be enjoyed by themselves and their children for many years, whilst now they were gaining no advantage Avhatever. The greater portion of those originally opposed to opening up the country have given Avay. Several of the Hauhau party told me they were themselves only pretending to oppose the question, and Avere prepared, so soon as prompt measures Avere taken, to back Ropata and his party. This, I think, is in reference to Avhat might result were the Avishes of the Queen Party concurred in by the Government, and the country rushed by diggers. Our Maori friends up there are disgusted at the persistent opposition made by the Hauhaus, and Avould be very glad if the diggers rushed the district, and terms were made with the claimants afterwards by the Government. In spite of the very small minority in AA'hich they found themselves placed by the vote on the question taken at the instance of Te Moananui on the occasion of the breaking up of the late meeting, there is no reason to suppose that Te Hira and his party will in any way relax in their stubborn persistency. He holds the words of many of their departed ancestors, Avho were opposed to the alienation of any of the tribal lands, and cannot, or will not, on this account give Avay. I did not myself see Te Hira. He was made aware of my visit by a message conveyed by Rihi Paka to Tukukino. He remarked that he did not care to see me ; if he saw any at all, he would see all the Pakehas together. I did not think it advisable to compromise myself, either in the estimation of himself, his adherents, or the Natives of the district, by making a fruitless attempt to see him. Ropata says the understanding in respect of their lands leased to the Government at Ohinemuri only had reference to lands on the north bank (proper right bank) of the Ohinemuri Stream. I much fear that unless an equitable arrangement of title to the land can be come to, and a division of interests made, it will be of no use to attempt negotiation for the cession of the lands to the Government, as the scruples of Te Hira and his party are by no means of a transient nature, and gain much of their strength from the evident hostility evinced by the Ngatimaru to the opening up of the Upper Thames Gold Fields. The aim of the Hauhau party is to exclude the Pakeha from their land, and at the same time to prevent any dealings with the lands of their more loyal neighbours, in which themselves claim to be interested. Before bringing this report to a close, I may as well mention the fact that, an hour or two after my arrival at Ohinemuri, Paratcne and two other Natives of the Ngatiporou living at Mataora arrived. They had left the district some time during last August (it is said without arms), and went from Waikato with Te Kooti to Taupo. Upon their return to Ohinemuri, they circulated a rumour to the effect that Te Kooti had captured Te Poihipi Tukairangi, and others, Avhich I was happy to be able to contradict. All seemed pleased to hear of the report I brought them of the severe chastisement of Te Kooti at the hands of McDonnell, and predicted a speedy termination to his career. These three men had left Te Kooti before McDonnell's attack upon them. I am, &c, E. W. Pucket, The Hon. the Native Minister. Native Agent at Thames.