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Sub-Enclosure 2 to Enclosure in No. 3. Buka Abatapu and Others to the Deputy Inspectoe of Sijbveys, Gisborne. [Teanslation.] Fibend,— Te Awanui, 16th May, 1875. Salutations ! This is a word from us to you, so that you will speak to Messrs. Simpson and Wilson, and their surveyor, with a view to their discontinuing their urging on the difficulty that exists in connection with that land, Tuakau, owing to their being deceived by the untruthfulness or deception of certain people (Maoris.) 2. That land (Tuakau) has been gazetted (for hearing by the Native Land Court) in the New Zealand Kahiti. 3. The survey lines have been also cut, and one half of the block surveyed by Mr. Skeet, which measurements are about equal to ten miles. Nor is it right to send a second surveyor to survey again the one block of land for fear that a difficulty should arise. 4. Those who have a claim to that land are the people who, on the investigation of title, can state their claims in the Court. 5. We admit we have acted wrongly with the things belonging to the European, Teesdale—that is, the surveyor —on account of one of his men surveying within our boundary line ; hence our taking his theodolite and chain. Furthermore, we showed faithfully to that European the proper boundary line for Pirauana and for Tauwhareparae also. But our directions were not heeded, wherefore it was that the articles of the Europeans were taken, until he and his Maori companions should cease their urging the matter, when his things will be returned to him. We are willing and have no objection to the survey of the Pirauaua Block —that is, its proper boundaries; also, Tauwhareparae. Let your advice come to the Natives who deceived this Pakeha. Ended. From us— EtJKA Abataptt. Matitt Tai. HAEATA PEEOHtfKi. To Mr. Baker, Deputy Inspector of Surveys. And Others. Sub-Enclosure 3 to Enclosure in No. 3. Major Eopata to the Hon. the Native Ministee. [Teanslation.] Mt Fatheb, — Waipiro, 15th May, 1875. Salutations to you! On my arrival here I heard of the troubles between the surveyors and Maoris. Mr. Simpson was the Pakeha. When Simpson arrived there the survey of that land was finished by Mr. Skeet for the lease to Mr. Campbell by the men to whom the land belongs. Mr. Simpson went over with his associate and re-surveyed the survey already completed by Skeet and the owners of that land. Then those who first surveyed that land went over and took the instruments from Mr. Simpson's assistant. Those people have the instruments in their possession to give them back again. Mr. Skeet was at Turanga when this trouble took place. The pegs of Skeet's survey have all been destroyed by the other surveyor. Tuakau is the name of that land, inland of Tokomaru. They took up arms against- each other. I saw the guns of one party, and I took them away. Sufficient. To Sir Donald McLean. Meiha Kopata. Eefebeed to Mr. Locke, for such action as he may deem advisable. By order. 21st May, 1875. Geoege H. Daties. Sub-Enclosure 4 to Enclosure in No. 3. Mr. Locke to the Hon. the Native Ministee. (Memorandum.) 25th May, 1875. In reference to the surveys of two blocks of land —viz., the Tuakau and Waingaromia Blocks—being done by my authority, I would state that other blocks were at the same time authorized; for instance, the subdivision of the Whatatutu Block, which Judge Kogan stated was the first instance of such a difficult task having been undertaken, also other blocks which were completed for the last Land Court. The reason for such proceedings not in full accordance with the Act was the peculiar position I found the district in when I was appointed District Officer: the new Act being in force, but no Judge appointed for the district ; no proper system of survey started, and no telegraph communication ; at the same time, great pressure of parties to get land, with Natives in a great state of excitement. So I could only do the best under (he circumstances, and accordingly authorized some surveys to be made, amongst others, the Waingoromia and Tuakau Blocks. The latter is the only one not completed. lin all cases have endeavoured to ascertain from Mr. Wilson (after his arrival as agent for purchase of land for Government), to what land he laid claim ; at the same time informing him of what lands were being surveyed ; and I always took the precaution to consult some of the leading chiefs in reference to any land before sanctioning its survey ; and in the case in point, Major Eopata was consulted before authority was given. I am quite aware that under the 69th clause of " The Native Lands Act, 1873," the Inspector of Surveys is the only legalized officer to authorize surveys ; but it was not until last February that the Poverty Bay District was taken over by him. The gentleman now holding that office will bear me out in my statements that at once, on his arrival at Gisborne, I informed him fully of what had been done, and my reasons for doing what I had, I had previously reported to the Judge of the Native Land Court, Mr. Eogan, who only arrived a few weeks sooner.

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