A.—No. 21

22

CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT

No. 68. Manuwhiri to the Hon. Mr. M'Lean. Friend Mr. M'Lean,— Te Kuiti, 18th April, 1870. Salutations to you. Your letters of the 6th April, addressed to Bewi and myself, have been received. This, then, is our address to you : We have received a message from Poihipi, asking me to allow the remnant of the prisoners belonging to the Tuwharetoa tribe to return to Taupo. To this we have given our consent. Before Poihipi's letter arrived, these people had started hence, under the guidance of the chiefs Tiniwhata and Hauraki, and to be the bearers of our message to Poihipi, to the effect that, as the Europeans had ceased the pursuit after Te Kooti, so also should the Maoris cease to follow or pursue him. Therefore it is that I now say to you, with reference to this matter, that inasmuch as the Europeans had stopped warlike operations, that all should cease together. Now, with reference to the prisoners : If the way is clear, I will allow them to go, and when this is done, care will be taken to let you know that they have gone. I have received your letter by Louis Hetit in reference to the rents of Mangere. What you propose is good. The term of the lease, viz., eight years, has now expired. To Mr. M'Lean, Minister for Native Affairs. Manuwhiri.

No. 69. • The Hon. Mr. M'Lean to Mete Kingi, M.H.B. Friend Mete, — Auckland, 6th April, 1870. Salutations. I enclose the copy of a letter from Topia, that you may see it, and be informed of the news from Opotiki. This is another word to you. I have heard how energetic you have been in good works in your district; therefore I say to you, tell the men who formerly lived at Waitotara not to go back there now. But let them remain ; wait until peace is established in the land. It will be for the Government to tell them before they can go. The reason why I think thus is that I fear lest some evil should befall them. Therefore I am in earnest in saying, keep them back ; do not let them go to Waitotara. Also, do not go away anywhere, but stay where you are, and look after the affairs of your district. Your friend, Mete Kingi, M.H.8., Whanganui. Donald M'Lean.

No. 70. Wiremu Pukapuka to the Hon. Mr. M'Lean. To Mr. M'Lean,— 7th April, 1870. Friend, salutations to you. My word to you is this. I have just heard some news with regard to Ohinemuri. I heard of this through Mahirewera, or from him. He does not wish Ohinemuri to jiass into the hands of the Europeans. Na Wiremu Pukapuka,

No. 71. The Hon. Mr. Gisboene to Pohipi Tukaieangi. To Poihipi,— Wellington, 16th April, 1870. Sir, salutations. Mr. Ormond has forwarded to me your letter to him, in which you inform him of your energy in giving support to the Government in its efforts to spread peace throughout this island, and also to carry on the great work of road-making. Ministers are very much pleased with your letter ; at the same time, there is nothing in your letter which they did not know before. They do not now hear for the first time of the works of the chief of the inland sea, but the foolish tribes do not look on these works of good in the same light that you do. The Government cannot control their thoughts any more than they can yours. Now, through the great energy of yourself and your friend, Mr. Ormond, the work has progressed ; horses and carts are now working at Kaingaroa, and it will not be long before the telegraph reaches your house. Be strong, my friend, to work ;be strong to carry on the works of peace. Although your body is at a distance, yet your works are known to the Government and to all the world. This is all. From your friend, Poihipi Tukairangi Tapuaeharuru, Taupo. W. Gisborne.

No. 72. Te Boihipi Tukairangi to Hon. Mr. M'Lean. To Mr. M'Lean, — Tapuwaeharuru, 29th April, 1870. Friend, salutations to you. This is to inform you that the young man, Bewi Maniapoto's younger brother, has come to me with twenty-five men. They say that they are bringing back Ngatituwharetoa to Taupo, and sending Te Hura to me that I may send him back to his own place. You must decide as to the place for him—either here or at his own place.