A.—No. 21

CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT

20

"No ; I have come of my own accord." I told that old man to return and talk quietly with you both, and then he could come. He agreed to it. I ask you now, has he gone back or not? It was through you that he was allowed to have his liberty, and it is not right that he should come without your knowledge. Your friend, To Tamati Manuwhiri, Te Kuiti. Donald M'Lean.

No. 60. The Hon. Mr. M'Lean to Manuwhiri. To Manuwhiri, — Auckland, Ist March, 1870. Salutations to you. On Saturday I went to Mangere to see Honana and the people of that place. Words of greeting were exchanged. Honana and others, who had come there, asked for a portion of Mangere, inland of their place, to be given to them. Their words are good, but lam considering with respect to that land. If you two say that it should be given to Honana, very well. If you two say that a portion should be withheld for you, very well. I think that a portion of that place should be withheld for you, so that you may come down to the water-side and go inland again. Your friend, Donald M'Lean.

No. 61. Hetaraka Nero to the Hon. Mr. M'Lean. To Mr. M'Lean,— Whaingaroa, March, 1870. We are desirous to inform yon with reference to Te Kooti. He is now at Tapapa ; that is within our district—l mean the district of Waikato—and it is on this account that we have thought within ourselves as to what should be done with this man. The majority gave their opinion that this man should be entirely put down, or destroyed, so that these troubles might cease, and peace be restored for this short space of time. Notwithstanding this, the decision rests with you. It is now in the hands of the Ngatikahungunu, Te Arawa, and Whanganui, but they had not been able to catch this fellow. Therefore it is that we have said amongst ourselves : What shall be done with or about this man ? From your friend, Na Hetaraka Nero.

No. 62, The Hon. Mr. M'Lean to Tamati Manuwhiri. Manuwhiri, — Auckland, sth March, 1870. Salutations to you, and Matutaera, and also Te Paea. This is to acquaint you that certain chiefs of the other island have arrived here at the invitation of Matutaera, as expressed to Buini Ngaingai. They are awaiting a word from you. The names of those chiefs are—Pita Te Hori (of Kahipoi), Paora Taki (of Bapaki), Hori Kerei Taiaroa (of Otago), and Hone Topi Patuki (of Buapuke). Here, also, is a word of mine to you both, but Tana has already conveyed that word to you, respecting the constant urging of the Europeans, and also the Natives, regarding Ohinemuri. Te Hira is waiting for a word from you. I have beard that Te Hira constantly looks to you for advice. For this reason I consider it is for you to say a word to him, to modify his views, so as to secure permanently peace in that district. It is well that a portion of land should be secured to Te Hira, and that the European's should be allowed to search for gold on other places, on a certain clear understanding. From your friend, To Tamati Manuwhiri, Te Kuiti, Waikato. Donald M'Lean.

No. 63. Manuwhiei to the Hon. Mr. M'Lean. To Mr. M'Lean,— _ Te Kuiti, 18th March, 1870. I have received your letter with reference to the proposed visit of Taiaroa's son. We did not clearly understand the explanation given in this letter ou the subject, but he himself would probably know. If the arrangement proceeded from Buini Ngaingai, then we could understand it. To Mr. M'Lean, Auckland. From Manuwhiri.

No. 64. The Hon. Mr. Fox to Mete Kingi. To Mete Kingi Paetahi,— Auckland, 12th March, 1870. Salutations. I have heard of the going of Aperahama, Hata Bio and others to Waitotara, and their having been sent back by the Europeans to Whanganui. lam grieved about this trouble. The Maoris were wrong in not having asked Major Noake to allow them to go. They were also wrong to quarrel with the ferryman, and also they made use of boastful words to the Europeans. My word to you, and to all the Maoris, was, let each man remain at his own place until Mr. M'Lean comes. The men at Putiki must remain there. Now my words were not regarded by Aperahama, Hata,