G.— 9.

No. 3. Te Whaeebattpo to Mr. Bbabaht. Feiend, — Maungapowhatu, 22nd December, 1873. Greeting. This is to inform you that the Urewera are disagreeing about the land leased by the Ngatimanawa. Te Whenuanui has gone there to turn off the cattle and sheep. If he does not succeed, the " Council of Seventy " will go and kill those cattle and sheep. They have written asking us to support them in the matter. We will not do so. I do not wish it. I shall walk in the ways of the Government. * * * * Mr. Brabant, Opotiki. From Te Whabeeattpo. Translation for the information of the Hon. the Native Minister. The lease referred to is that said to have been effected by the Ngatimanawa to Captain G. Mair. Opotiki, 30th December, 1873. Heebeet W. Bbabant., R.M.

No. 4. Captain Maie to the Hon. D. McLean. Sib,— Tauranga, 23rd December, 1873. With reference to your conversation about my leasing land from the Natives at Fort Galatea, I have the honor to inform you that in 1866 I commenced negotiations with the Ngatimanawa for the Tauaroa and Karamuramu run. In the early part of this year I concluded arrangements, and a herd of cattle were put upon the land last September. Had I been informed that the Government were desirous of acquiring the land, I would have withdrawn long ago. As it is, I have never tried to influence the Natives in any way. No Government agent has made any offers to the Ngatimanawa for this land up to the present time. Though I have been at considerable expense, I am quite willing to withdraw at once, and procure a deed of lease from the Natives to the Government on the most favourable terms. As I have known the Natives a number of years and they are under some obligations to me, I have greater facilities for dealing with them than any one else. If the Government do not take action in the matter shortly, no doubt other persons will. Since the Natives promised me the Karamuramu Block at £200 per annum (about 60,000 acres), they have been offered £400 a year, but they are quite willing to abide by what I agreed to give. I have, &c, The Hon. the Native and Defence Minister, Tauranga. Gilbebt Maib.

No. 5. Captain Maie to the Hon. D. McLean. Taupo, 13th February, 1874. All cattle removed a week ago. Ngatimanawa here now urging me to go at once and lease all this side of Rangitaiki. I cannot throw them over to other Europeans. I have offered to negotiate on behalf of the Government; in justice to myself I ought to do this. I have been accused of opposing the Government. I cannot contradict this better than by assisting the Government. I can obtain a lease or deed of sale on better terms than any one else. Have spoken to Mitchell; he will be here to-morrow. I only press this matter to exonerate myself; besides, lam pledged to see the Ngatimanawa out of this difficulty. Please instruct me what to do. G-ilbeet Maib, The Native Minister, Wellington. Captain.

No. 6. Extbact from a Report from Mr. J. A. Wilson, on Land Purchase Operations, dated Ist June, 1874. Mb. Thotjtbece, of Napier, had managed to occupy a run called Tauaroa and Kuhawaea within the rolie-potae, by an arrangement made for a few years with a portion of its owners, and as this gentleman's cattle (some 300 head) had not been driven off, notwithstanding " the Seventy " continually threatened, I determined to acquire the freehold of this block without militating against the pioneer settler's interest where I should buy from such as had already dealt with him ; and I have now to report that, in spite of obstacles and without assistance, I have succeeded in acquiring such an interest in that block as to render the freehold of the remaining portion comparatively valueless to any other purchaser. • The Urewera could not for shame say much against my purchases at Kuhawaea and Tauaroa, when they showed themselves unequal to the removal of the cattle from that place, a weakness on their part which I believe to be due to the fact that they know they have no right to the land; but at one time, on the 30th January, Tamaikowha (when labouring under a special influence—see my telegram of the 2nd February last) came to Opotiki on purpose to see me, and requested that my action in the matter of the purchase of Tauaroa might be stayed, or at all events suspended until after their then approaching hui at Euatahuna. To the latter portion of this request I acceded, and this is all I have heard

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