A.—No. 21

CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT

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thought over them, I came to the conclusion in my own mind that the prospects of a peace throughout the Island were now at last of a permanent character—-that is to say if all of these his declarations shall be verified by his acts. This finishes my address to you. From your sincere friend, The Hon. Donald M'Lean, Wellington. W. Te Wheoro Te Morehu.

No. 83. Paora Tuhaere to the Hon. Mr. M'Lean. Friend Mr. M'Lean, — Auckland, 10th June, 1870. Salutations to you. Friend, there is no news since your departure, What I have to say to yon is respecting what Wi Te Wheoro's report said of his interview with Manuwhiri—first, that peace is established; second, that the Hauhau and the friendly Natives are to be united, so that in case Te Kooti makes any attack, they, being united in opinion, he will be overcome and taken; third, the Ohinemuri Question is clear : the King has nothing to do with it, he has handed it over to Te Hira, in order that gold may be dug for; fourth, the telegraph wire from Tauranga : let the work cease for the present, but let it be carefully considered, and when everything is clear, let the work go on—so I give you my opinion now on these questions before stated. I think that it will be proper for you to hold on quietly, so that they may express their thoughts, and they may be able clearly to see the benefits of your policy towards the two races; for when you went at first to Tokangamutu it was not said that the sun would rise then, or that there would be peace—it is because of the wise manner in which you have carried on matters since, that it is now said peace is established. Therefore it is thought that the heat of summer will soon cast its rays over the Hauhau tribes, that is to say, there will be peace. These are all the words. Your friend, Paora Tuhaere.

No. 84. The Hon. Mr. M'Lean to Baora Tuhaere. To Paora Tuhaere,. — Wellington, 16th June, 1870. Friend, salutations. I have received your letter of the 10th inst. I am greatly pleased to hear from you, and I thank you for the information about Waikato. It is gratifying also to know that the Ohinemuri question is all right. Let me hear very frequently from you anything by which the two races may be benefited, for the consideration of myself and the other members of the Government. This is all. From your true friend, Paora Tuhaere, Orakei, Auckland. Donald M'Lean.

No. 85. Wi Te Wheoro to the Hon. Mr. M'Lean. Te Kohekohe, 11th June, 1870. This is the account of my visit to the Kuiti : — i On the 10th day of May I, with four other companions, started on our journey for the Kuiti. This visit was undertaken by me in consequence of three separate written invitations to me from the Chief Manuwhiri. The Government was made aware of these invitations, and they agreed with me that it would be right for me to pay a visit to the Kuiti. On the 12th we arrived at Orahiri, and it so happened that Matutaera, Te Paea Tiaho, Taonui, and Takiwaru, with some other chiefs, were on their way, thinking perhaps they might possibly meet me on the road, for as yet they had not known that I was already on the way to the Kuiti. As it happened, we all met at this settlement; we dismounted, and eacli of us stood by the side of our horses while Manuwhiri bade us welcome, and while this was being done we all stood uncovered. Matutaera then inquired of me, "Are you on your way to the Kuiti?" and I replied, "I am ;" whereupon, on the following morning, Matutaera proceeded on to Kawhia, leaving Tiaho and Taonui to conduct me to the Kuiti. In the evening I addressed Tiaho thus, "I learn that the matter of Ohinemuri is in your hands." She answered, " Yes." I then said, "If that be the case, then withdraw your objection ; let Ohinemuri be opened, lest it become a source of trouble and annoyance for us all ; and for this reason, that the majority of the people are for opening up Ohinemuri, while Te Hira stands alone in holding it back, and his .strength lies in your supporting him." She replied—" What you say is right. I agree to it. I myself will send a message to Te Hira and Mere Kuril. Manuwhiri and myself have already written to To Hira to say that if he were willing to open up Ohinemuri, he should do so without reference to us. But Te Hira was not willing to let it go— even oil those terms." On the 13th, the day following, Tiaho j)roposed that we should on that day go on to Te Kuiti; but I thought that it would be better that I should visit some other of the settlements, and learn from them the state of things, so that when I reached Te Kuiti I might lie already in possession of useful information. We therefore started for a village called Ohinekura, about six miles distant from this last