I.—No. 3a

4t

FURTHER REPORTS EROM

I start up river again in circuit next week, and have several cases to dispose of, one or two of some importance, as arising out of land disputes, and whore property has been destroyed by one of the parties. I have recommended a reference of all such cases to my Court in the first instance, in order that the particulars thereof may be duly recorded, the nature and extent of damage done, &c, so that should Mhave to stay my hands on account of the matter at issue being beyond my jurisdiction, the case can be adjourned sine die, and taken up again at such time as the question of ownership has been finally settled by adjudication of the Native Land Court. With regard to the cases of Hinga Ngawaka, and another, against Hori Mutumutu and Hemi Te Aro, for assault, I heard the same at Putiki, in Kemp's runanga hcaise (which was crowded with Maoris, who behaved with the utmost decorum), on Friday the 19th instant, and, after a patient investigation, dismissed all the charges, upon the ground of their being beyond jurisdiction, having arisen out of a land dispute. The Court was further prepared to dismiss the cases on the merits, had it power so to dispose of them, the matter having been much exaggerated. It would appear from the evidence that a general melee took place on the occasion referred to, on account of the women having attempted to seize the theodolite, when they were pushed aside and knocked about by Hori Mutumutu, and others, in their zeal to defend their surveyor's property. Counsel was employed by both parties, and I believe the enquiry into the affair has had a good effect upon the Native mind. I beg further to state that I have been offered three separate blocks of land as an endowment for a school, and shall choose that most accessible from the town ; however, I shall report further on this matter, as also on the part chosen for a mulberry plantation, on my return from up the river. I. have, &c, Eichaed W. Wook, E.M.

No. 2. The Assistant Undee-Seceetaey, Wellington, to the Eesidext Magisteate, Upper Whanganui. Native Office, Sib,— Wellington, Ist May, 1872. I am directed to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated 23rd April, on the subject of the recent meeting convened by Mete Kingi at Putiki, and to state in reply that Mr. Fox has read your report with interest, and entirely approves of the steps taken by you to avert possible trouble amongst the Upper Whanganui Natives, through the illegal proceedings of some settlers in attempting to prospect for gold without authority. As the chief Topine has since left for Tohua, and taken several Europeans with him to prospect for gold, it does not seem necessary to take any further action in the matter. I enclose a letter of thanks to the Whanganui Natives for their efforts in furtherance of peace at the late meeting. I have, &c., H. Halse, Assistant Under-Secretary.

No. 3. The Eesident Magisteate, Upper Whanganui, to the Hon. the Native Ministee, Wellington. Eesident Magistrate's Office, Sic,— Whanganui, 11th May, 1872. I have the honor to report the arrival of the chiefs Pehi Turoa and Tahana Turoa, from Te Aomarama. Pehi tells me he would not at first allow Topine and party to proceed up the river, fearing that Topine's action might lead to dissension amongst the head river tribes, in consequence of his (Pebi's) and the other owners of the gold-bearing country, not having yet agreed to open up such country for gold exploration ; that Mamaku insisted upon going on with his paleehas, stating that he had turned European now, and wished to come out of his Maori isolation. Pehi replied that his opposition was principally upon the grounds that the prospects of peace might possibly be blighted through Topine's line of conduct, which was in opposition to the wishes of the other owners of the soil. It appears, however, that the matter w ras again discussed on the arrival of Tahana Turoa from town, and Tahana eventually consented to the party going on, after cautioning Topine to confine his gold prospecting operations to his own land. I have, &c, ' Eichaed W. Woos-, E.M.

No. 4. The Resident Magisteate, Upper Whanganui, to the Hon. the Native Ministeb, Wellington Eesident Magistrate's Office, Sib, — Whanganui, 15th March, 1872. I have the honor to report my return from Tuhua, of Whanganui, on the 11th instant, after an absence of thirteen days. The Eev. Eichd. Taylor, and Mr. Eussell, of the New Zealand Bank, accompanied me. We returned from Okoiro (about 180 miles up the river), where we saw Mamaku Manurau, and other chiefs, and we met with a most friendly reception. Pehi Turoa joined us at Aomarama, and i.eturned with us from Okoiro.