ELAX COMMISSIONERS.

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Memo, by Chaieman for Hon. Dr. FAthebston.—23rd March, 1871. I think the flax referred to in this letter must be the same as that which you informed me to-day has been purchased by you for the General Government. Will you kindly minute upon this the terms of the purchase, and instructions to the Natives to hand over the flax, as originally intended, to the Commissioners, to avoid mistake. Memo, by Hon. Dr. Featheeston.—23rd March, 1871. I agreed to give the Natives 6d per lb. for all the flax they could send in at once, amounting, they said, to some six or seven cwt. They did not tell me they had already sold it to the Government; of course they must carry out the arrangement with the Government. My object in buying it was to send it to Messrs. Marshall, and other manufacturers in Leeds, to whom I promised to send a few cwt. Feiend Wi,— _ Wellington, 22nd May, 1871. Salutations. What is tho reason why the flax, which you agreed would be done last January, is not ready yet ? You said in your letter of the 14th of March that some of the flax had been weighed and that some had not been weighed. Sufficient. Your friend, Wi Tako Ngatata, Waikanae. H. Halse. To Me. Halse,— Waikanae, 28th May, 1871. Salutations to you. Friend, your letter of the 22nd May, addressed to Wi Tako, has been received, and Wi Tako has requested me to write in reply to your question as to the cause of delay in supplying the flax. The reason why there has been so much delay is, that we have been engaged in performing the funeral ceremonies, &c, over Tamati Te Hawe, Oruiroa-anumutu and Te Tapeotu. All these were chiefs of the Ngatiawa and Ngatitoa tribes, and that is why that delay has occurred. Also, we are waiting for an increase in the price of the flax, and also to hear from England what the price is there. It is correct that the flax has been weighed. It has all been weighed, and now we are only waiting for a higher price. From your friend, Wieemu Tamihana Te Neke. Feiend Wi Tako,— Wellington, 2nd June, 1871. Salutations. The Government have received a letter from Wi Tamihana Te Neke, written at your request. He says: " The cause of delay is that we are only waiting for an increase in the price of the flax." It was thought that the price had long since been agreed upon ; but now a higher price is being waited for. What is to be the final decision ? Reply quickly to this letter. Sufficient. Your friend, Wi Tako Ngatata, Waikanae. H. Halse. To Me. Halse, — Waikanae, sth June, 1871. Salutations to you. Friend, I have received your letter in reply to one written to you by Wi Tamihana. It is correct. I told Wi Tamihana to write to you, because he is the man who has the flax. When I saw you at your office, on the 25th April, 1871, you requested me to reply to your letter. I said, " Wait until I can see Hohepa Ngapaki, and Wi Tamihana Te Neke; when we agree, then your letter will be answered." This letter is the answer. Friend, I was correct when I told you that some of the flax had been weighed, and that some had not. The difficulty was caused by Dr. Featherston, and through that the eyes of the people who dressed the flax have been turned on one side (i.e. they have drawn back from the arrangement). Friend, Wi Tamihana was correct when he wrote to tell you that all the flax was weighed. Your friend, Wi Tako Ngatata. Feiend Wi— Wellington, 7th June, 1871. Salutations. I have received your letter of sth June, but you have not answered the question put in my letter of the 2nd June. I asked " What is to be the final decision as to the price ?" Wi Te Neke said that the cause of delay in supplying the flax was that they were waiting for a higher price. Be good enough to reply to my question. Sufficient. Your friend, H. Halse. Feiend Mb. Halse, — Waikanae, Bth June, 1871. Salutations to you. I have received your letter of the 7th instant on the subject of the question asked in your former letter not having been answered. It was not answered because the owners of the flax have taken the matter into their own hands, so I gave no opinion on that point. They will probably tell you what they want, and whether they are asking much or little. Friend, do not always keep referring to me ; you should refer to the master of the cow or the pig; because I have unloosed my rope from the legs of this flax. That is all. Friend, this difficulty has been caused by Dr. Featherston, he having paid Is. per lb. Sufficient. Your friend, To Mr. Halse, Native Office, Wellington. Wi Tako Ngatata. 8