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of ploughing was no such crime under our laAV as Avould deprive him or his tribe of the land that had been given back to them by Sir George Grey and Sir EdAvard Stafford fourteen years ago. At the request of Sir George Grey, Ave took pains to investigate the facts connected with the Opunake township. The original instructions of Mr. Bichmond in 1866 Avere these : " The Government Avish that all the land of Wi Kingi Matakatea, Arama Karaka, and their hapus should be left to them, excepting space for a township at Opunake which it is understood they are willing to cede." Accordingly, early in 1867 Mr. Parris held a meeting at Umuroa, Avhen "the Natives began by inquiring what the Government meant to do about Opunake, and whether they meant to send a detachment of militia there as had been done at Warea. I told them," said Mr. Parris, " that Government had reserved a toAvnship at Opunake, and some day Avould send Europeans to live there; but as regarded militia, it would entirely depend on their behaviour. If they interfered with the Natives who were put in possession, the Government might decide to send militia and reoccupy the place; but if they behaved properly it was not likely any militia would be sent. They said they Avould burn the place, and take the arms and ammunition supplied to the Natives ; in reply to which I told them that the land Avhich had been set apart for Matakatea and his people Avould be taken as payment if any of the arms Avere lost." No further opposition was then made. In November 1867 Mr. Parris reported that the survey of the external boundaries of the township had been made, containing 1,391 acres; and some time afterwards the plan Avas sent in to Sir Donald McLean and approved by him. No deed of cession AA ras taken from the Natives. "It was fully explained," Mr. Parris told us, " to all the Natives that in abandoning the Taungatara-Moutoti block, the Government retained the 1,-100 acres, which Avere surveyed at the time without opposition." Sir George Grey (in the same letter to us) also referred to the case of grants which had been made to certain persons out of the Opunake township lands : and as the case has been referred to in Parliament, Your Excellency may desire to know the facts. They are as follows : — One of tbe grantees, Major Brown, had petitioned the House of Bepresentatives in 1866 to grant him the land of his rank as a military settler; but the Government refused to recommend the petition to the House. Next year a Select Committee reported in the petitioner's favour, and on the 2nd October 1867 the House resolved that " Major BroAvn was entitled to consideration from the Government in regard to his petition for land as a military settler." Sir E. Stafford said the Cabinet could not see how tlie Government could give effect to the resolution. Next year (1868) the case came on again, and the House passed a resolution that "land as a field officer of military settlers ought to be given to Major Brown, with due consideration to the fact that the Government Avas no longer in a position to give land to the value which he would have obtained if his application had been granted at first." Sir EdAvard Stafford decided that there AA ras no doubt the land could be given as a military settler; and said, "I am of opinion that the resolution of the House should be given effect to, to its full extent." On Major Brown then proposing to select at Opunake, Mr. Bichmond (Native Minister) considered that it Avould not be convenient to give the Opunake reserve away in. large lots, but rather to encourage settlement near Wi Kingi Matakatea's tribe; and shortly at'tenvards he said, "I do not think it Avould be carrying out the representations made to Wi Kingi Matakatea and the late Arama Karaka and their people, to give out 400 acres to satisfy one claim. The representation was, that town and suburban lots would be offered there, and it is best to economize this little block. There will be no difficulty in allotting land to Major BroAvn on tho north-west bank of the Waingongoro, either near the coast or the bush. I should recommend the neighbourhood of Mawhitiwhiti." Major BroAAm would of course haA'e been very glad to take the land there; but as that could not be done, his selection at Opunake AA'as eventually approved by Sir D. McLean. Captain Ilamerton then applied for 300 acres as a former captain of militia, and Sir D. McLean authorized him to select at Opunake. Upon the Secretary of

1866. Sir O. Orey, 4th May 1880; Appendix A. No. 16. Hon. Mr. Eichmond, 10th September 1866. P. P. 1879 ; A.-8, No. 5. Parris, Eeport, 14th May 1867.

Parris, Eeports, 18th November 1867, 4th January 1868. Sir D. McLean, 22nd November 1869. Parris, Telegram, 29th May 1880.

Eesolution, H. of E., 2nd Oct. 1867; Journals, p. 303. Minute, Sir E. Stafford, 15th February 1868. Eesolution, H. of E., 15th October 1868; Journals, p. 257. Sir E. Stafford, Minutes, 3rd November 1868; 15 th January 1869. Minute, Hon. J. O Eichmond, 18th March 1869. Minute, Hon. J. C. Eichmond,. 26th May 1869.

Minute, Sir D. McLean, 7th September 1869. Minute, Sir D. McLean, 14th February 1870.