PAPERS RELATIVE TO HOROWHENUA.

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F.—No. 8,

Kawana Hunia has already expressed himself in favour of this course, and I should like to ascertain the general feeling of the rest of the contesting parties. You will take care to keep me fully supplied with any information you may acquire. I have, &c, Dojuxd McLean.

No. 88. Kawana Hunia to the Hon. D.- McLean. To Mr. McLean,— Wellington, 11th August, 1871. Salutations to you. Upon my return to my room after our conversation, I thought of what I now write. I agree to chiefs from Hawke's Bay adjusting the dispute between us about Horowhenua. This is for Eenata and Te Hapuku to act as arbitrators to settle this dispute. With respect to your word about Ngapuhi, I do not consent to their coming to settle this dispute. I might not object to the decendants of Hongihika coming to do it, as I dare say they have heard from their ancestor about my descent from Te Ahura, whose present descendant is Te Hakeke Te Eangihautu. There might be some amongst the Barawa who could, perhaps, decide between us, or amongst the descendants of Te Kaui or Takirau. I do not approve of Waikato, as they are our enemies. Ido not approve of persons of low birth trying to settle the dispute about Major Keepa's and my land. Kemp and I are willing to have this difference settled according to the plan proposed by you. Mr. McLean, lam agreeable that the under-mentioned persons should compose a court for the investigation of this case, namely, the Hon. Mr. Bell, Judge Maning, Major Edwards, E.M., and Mr. McDonald This is another word : I want to know what steps you are going to take about my, people's cattle destroyed by Ngatihuia. I think the Government should pay for them, as Major Edwards, an officer of the Government, prevented me from taking steps for their recovery at the time of their seizure. I want you, Mr. McLean, to stop Ngatihuia from committing any further outrages upon us. If they continue to aggress us in this manner, I shall be bound to withdraw my consent to our agreement about leaving the Horowhenua dispute to bo settled by arbitration. Kemp is coming to Wellington, accompanied by thirty chiefs of the Ngatiapo and Wanganui tribes, to lay their grievance about Horowhenua before the House of Eepresentatives, but I shall not come to Wellington; but I shall go backwards and forwards between Horowhenua and Wanganui, to watch over ever everything that is going on. I want the investigation for Horowhenua to take place at that place, during tho time the Parliament is in session, and after the adjournment of the Land Court at Eangitikei, which is advertised to take place in September. I want the Government to supply some food and blankets for this gathering, which will take place at the time of this investigation. We will provide pigs and potatoes, and I will go at once and arrange with my people about it. That is all. From your friend, Hunia.

No. 89. The Hon. D. McLean to Matene Te Whiwhi. Wellington, 11th August, 1871. I have received a letter from Hunia to-day, asking me to allow this trouble to be decided by Maori chiefs and Europeans. Tou ask Ngatiraukawa to name the chiefs they wish to compose this Court. If you like to ask Te Watene, Nerehana, and Te Wiiti to come to Otaki, you can, as Te Keepa and his people are returning. Send word to Ngatihuia not to kill the cattle of Muaupoko : I have heard that they are doing so. All these troubles are to be settled by the Court. This Court to take place in October or November; but you decide this when the chiefs come, and also the warm weather. Sufficient. Te Keepa and Hunia are agreeable to consent to our talk about the Court. See that Eaukawa and Ngatihuia conduct themselves properly. Donald McLean.

No. 90. Mr. Woon to the Hon. D. McLean. (Telegram.) Wanganui Station, 16th August, 1871. Kawana and Tarawhio back from meeting at Kakariki. Hapi and other Hauhan chiefs have written to you, placing Horowhenua in your hands. Hapi says his party will not interfere with quarrel between Government Natives. Metehaimona Taiawhio and people will obey only your commands. Eichard W. Woon. No. 91. Aperahama Tipae and others to the Hon. D. McLean. To Mr. McLean, — Kakariki, Eangitikei, 15th August, 1871. Friend, —Salutations to you. This is to inform you of our views. On the 14th August, 1871, we assembled together at Kakiriki, Eangitikei, that is to say, the chiefs and people of Wanganui, the chiefs and people of Ngatiapa, and the chiefs and people of Ngatiraukawa, to find out whether the work of Ngatiraukawa, and Maaupoko is right or wrong. The decision of the assemblage was—that the