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from time to time, of meetings which have taken place in these districts. Por instance, I attended a meeting in February last, at Taumaranui, a kainga in the Tuhua country, about 250 miles up the Whanganui River. I may mention that about twelve months ago this place was a hotbed of Hau-haus and King Natives, and that no Europeans have been allowed there until quite lately. The meeting was convened by Rewi, the known Waikato chief, and a few others, for the purpose of getting the Whanganui Natives to support the King party in their land league, and other matters. A large number of the Wanganui chiefs attended the meeting, but instead of giving their support to the King party, they, with a few exceptions, opposed them in the strongest terms, and declined to allow Rewi to interfere in any way with their affairs. Old Topine te Mamaku, one of the oldest and most influential chiefs in the Tuhua country, behaved very well. He declined to have anything to do with the King party. He said that they were now surveying their lands for sale to the Government, and that they would continue doing so. Nearly all of the Whanganui chiefs supported him in this. A full account of this meeting will be found in my report, dated Bth March. The purchase of the Kirikau and part purchase of the Eetaruke Blocks, as well as applications for other surveys in that district, will prove that the Whanganui Natives were quite sincere in what they said on this occasion. The negotiations for purchases and leases in the Taupo, Patea, and Murimotu Districts, are progressing slowly, but satisfactorily. I am glad to be able to report that Topia Turoa and Renata Kawepo have arranged their differences in the matter of the Taupo-Patea Block. This is a great point gained, as Renata, for the last two years, has been opposed to the survey of this block. There is now every probability of this survey being completed early next year. I have further to report that the surveyors returned last week from the Maungaoira Block, in the Eangitikei District, which they had been surveying for the Government. They had to leave off work on account of wet and cold weather. They will resume the work again next spring. They met with no interruptions during the survey, and report very favourably of the quality of the soil. I have, &c, J. W. Bullee, James Booth, Esq. Land Purchase Officer.

No. 9. Mr. James Mackat to the TTndeb Seceetaey, Native Department. Sic,— Auckland, 4th July, 1876. I have the honor to enclose herewith a return of land purchase transactions, conducted through mj agency, from Ist July, 1875, to 30th June, 1876. Owing to delays at Wellington, caused by my being summoned to appear before several Parliamentary Committees, and subsequently from detention there in arranging with the Government respecting land purchases, I was unable to enter into any negotiations between the Ist July and the 3lBt December, 1875. Since that time I have devoted the whole of my available time to arranging questions about the Piako, Waihou East aud West, Waitoa, Te Aroha, and Waiharakeke blocks, and in directing the surveys and settling disputes about the internal divisions of those blocks. The survey of the Piako block involved the arranging and laying off on the ground of the eastern boundary of the Waikato confiscated lands from Pukorokoro, on the shores of the Hauraki Gulf, to Pukemoremore. near Cambridge, which has proved to be a most difficult task in consequence of the continued interruption of the Surveyors by disaffected Natives living at the Moerangi and Tauhei settlements, near the edge of the Whitekahu (so-called Piako) Swamp. I am, however, happy to say that this lino has been completed throughout. As the lands suitable for settlement, and which are so urgently required by the population of the Thames District, are, with the exception of Ohinemuri, all included within the blocks previously mentioned, I have deemed it advisable to let other purchases, which were nearer completion, stand over for the present, in order to meet, as speedily as possible, the wishes of those persons who are anxious to become permanent settlers. I have, &c, The Under Secretary, Native Department, Wellington. James Mackat. By Authority: Uj-Obob Didsbubt, Government Printer, Wellington. Price 6d.]