A.—No. 19,

CORRESPONDENCE RELATIVE TO OHINEMURI,

14

gold. I showed that the claimants to the block under adjudication were parties to an agreement to this effect, made with Mr. Mackay in 1868; and I asked, in case of the judgment being in their favour, that a restrictive clause should be added to the certificate, maintaining that agreement; but in case the judgment of the Court should be in favour of the opponents, who were not parties to that agreement, I urged the Court not to make any final order at Ohinemuri, but only to declare its judgment as to OAvnership of the land, and to adjourn the case to Auckland, Avhere tho final order could be prepared, with the aid of the Chief Judge, after due consideration, and with all the information attainable. The advocates on both sides most vehemently opposed my application, and I had to reply to their objections. The Court, however, in giving judgment in favour of the claimants, directed a certificate of title to be issued to them, Avith a restrictive clause maintaining the agreement, as I had requested. The adverse party gave notice of their intention to apply for a rehearing. I think that after a time the great body of the Natives will recognize the equity of the judgment given; but for the present, the anger of the chiefs of the Ngatitamatera is naturally great, and I cannot say that I think the prospect of opening tho district is at all near or promising. I have, &c, The Hon. the Native Minister. Theopii. Heale.

No. 14. Mr. E. W. Pucket to the Hon. D. McLean. Sir, — Native Agent's Office, Grahamstown, 10th June, 1870. I have the honor to inform you that the Native Land Court, which commenced its sitting at Ohinemuri on the 16th instant, was yesterday adjourned sine die, having the day previously given judgment in the case of the claim of Ngatikoi te Owharo, in favour of the claimants. As Mr. Heale has already made you acquainted with Avhat took place in the Court up to the end of the first Aveek, I shall confine my remarks on the present occasion to Avhat took place since your departure for the South. The case for the counter-claimants was brought to a close on the afternoon of Saturday, 21st, when the Court adjourned until Monday, 23rd, and the case for the claimants proceeded with. Mr. Wilson's witnesses Avere subjected to a rigid and searching cross-examination by Mr. Mackay, who in. his questions, and the contempt evinced by him for the claimants, was not careful to avoid expressions liable to stir up the angry feelings of the stronger against the weaker party. On Friday, the 27th ultimo, I had to leave Ohinemuri for Shorthand, in order to complete a Return of Tribes, for the House of Representatives. On the same day, Moananui and a party of about twenty men, armed, started for Waihi, for the purpose, as he told me the previous day, of seeing Baharuhi, father of Kepa Raharahi one of the claimants to Owharo. They reached Waihi on tho following day, but news of'their intended visit having preceded them, Baharuhi was concealed by some of the other Natives, and when Moananui and party arrived, ho could nowhere be found. However, after a considerable time had been spent in searching, an old man and woman Avere seen approaching, Avho proved to be Raharuhi and his wife. They had been out in the cold and AA ret all the night previous and all that day, and Avere nearly perished. Moananui upon seeing Raharuhi, told him to remain quiet and get himself Avarm and comfortable, and he would talk to him on the following day; but meanwhile the iaua had all the license in such cases accorded to tauas, and looted everything not too heavy for them to carry away. Next morning Raharuhi came to Moananui, and told him, so the story goes, that he himself had nothing to do Avith the land; the land and people were Meha's; that his children, Kepa and others, in spite of his advice, proceeded to survey the lands, and make application to the Native Land Court. On Tuesday afternoon I. left Shortland, and reached Ohinemuri late in the evening, Avhen I Avas informed that the case in respect of Owharo had been completed that day, and that judgment would bo given on the morrow. On Wednesday, at 10, the Court assembled, and the counter-claimants and their partisans, appeared in strong force, but the Ngatikoi appeared by Counsel only, and as judgment Avas being given in favor of Ngatikoi, evident signs of discontent were evinced by a good many of those present, and mutterings of dissatisfaction could be heard on all sides. This being tho case, as soon as judgment was given, Tarapipipi stood up, and expressed it as his wish that the people should not be pouri, but that they should behave with decorum. As it Avas evident that there was too much excitement for any other case to be proceeded with that day, the Court adjourned till the morrow —but at this time Moananui's party were descried approaching, and a Avar dance took place; that over, Mr. Mackay proposed that a meeting should take place at To Moananui's camp, in order to concert measures for the morrow. As I Avas anxious to know lioav far the disturbed feelings of To Hira's party Avould carry them, I felt it my duty to be present for a time at the meeting. It commenced about 11.30 a.m. Tho speakers were Tarapipipi, Wi Hopihana, Hohepa Te Rauhihi, Mere Kuru, R. Tc Tahua, Rh,vai Te Kiore, Wi Kingi Te Arawahie, Tc Moananui, Mr. Mackay and myself. Tarapipipi Avas very much excited, as Avell at the decision as at the rumoured purchase of Te Aroha by the Provincial Government. Hohepa said he Avas wearied with trying to maintain peace in the district. He thought he should leave things to take their course. Nevertheless, later in tho day, both he and Tarapipipi told us they would continue to act as they had done heretofore, and conduct matters quietly. Mr. Mackay spoke twice, denouncing the decision of the Court. The Ngatikoi wore exceedingly presumptuous in preferring any claim what soever to land —they Avere " iwi tutua, toenga kainga;" in fact, he seemed quite at a loss to find terms to express his disgust at the adverse decision of the Court, and the presumption of the Ngatikoi. His second speech Avas more temperate, urging upon, the Natives tho prudence of not obstructing the action of the Court. This I supported; the more so, as direct reference was made to myself by Tarapipipi, in reply to Mr. Mackay. The result of the meeting may be summed up in a few Avords. The claim of Ngatikoi to Waihi was to be taken through the Court; the lands AA-hich had been surveyed for taking through the Court