G.—9.

10

The Chief Suevetob, Napier, to the Sueveyoe-Geneeal, Wellington. District Survey Office, Napier, 9th April, 1880. On 19th March the Hon. the Native Minister directed me to have a survey made of a disputed boundary between a Native reserve (Tapairu Block) and the Crown grant for Block No. 14, Waipukurau District. A plan of the survey asked for, and also a tracing of the plan of the first survey of the Taiewa Native Eeserve, is enclosed herewith. The Hon. the Native Minister desired that the position of a fence, which the Natives are said to have pulled down, should be shown on the plan. The surveyor was particularly instructed to carry out the Minister's wishes, but he says he was not able to do so, because the Natives never allowed the fence to be erected, and consequently there are no post-holes in the ground. The survey has been delayed through the floods and wet weather; it was impossible for teu days after the day fixed on by Captain Preece and the surveyor for them to get to the ground. The surveyor's account —£10 —for the survey is herewith forwarded for payment. The Surveyor-General, Wellington. Hoeace Bakee, Chief Surveyor.

Mr. G. A. Preece, Napier, to the Hon. the Native Minister, Wellington. (Telegram.) 17th April, 1880. Will you give me authority to give the Natives fortnight to consider your terms re Waipawa Eeserve ? George A. Preece.

Matiu Meke and others to Captain Peeece and the Hon. Mr. Betce. (Translation.) Waipawa, 22nd April, 1880. Pbiehd, salutations ! Your letter of the 20th has been received, in which you state that the Minister has allowed fourteen days for us to consider the terms offered to us by you ; if we do not consider or accept them within fourteen days the offer of £200 will be withdrawn, and will not be renewed. Also that we must leave our land whether we accept the terms or not. This is our word to you, that is to the Minister : we give our firm resolve now ; we will not consent to the terms proclaimed to us by Captain Preece, or to the words contained in his letter of the 26th of April. We, the whole tribe, will remain permanently on the boundary of the whole tribe, also of Sir Donald McLean, who confirmed it in the year Waipukurau land was sold, and sent Mr. De Pelichet, the surveyor, whose boundary is still to be seen. Enough. We are still within the boundary of the whole tribe, also that of Sir Donald McLean. Enough from all of us, from the whole tribe. Matiu Meke. PoEIKAPA. Send this to the Minister. Nepia te Apatu, and others. To Captain Preece, and to the Hon. Mr. Bryce, Native Minister.

Mr, G. A. Peeece to the Hon. the Natite Ministee. Sib,— Native Office, Napier, 23rd April, 1880. I have the honor to report for your information that, in accordance with the instructions contained in your memorandum of the 19th ultimo, I proceeded to Waipawa on the 31st, accompanied by Mr. P. E. Hamlin and Mr. Ellison, licensed surveyor. On arrival I held a meeting of the Natives, and informed them of the contents of your memorandum ; also that Mr. Ellison had come by instruction from the Government to ascertain if the boundary, as claimed by Mr. Harding, agreed with the Crown grant of his land and the Waipawa Eeserve. The Natives made several speeches recapitulating their statements to you concerning the boundary originally laid down by Mr. De Pelichet. While the speeches were being made Nepia te Apatu sent some women out to stop the survey. Mr. Ellison was in the act of returning, when I spoke to the Natives, telling them that they were committing themselves by so doing. They then acknowledged that they were wrong, and sent the women to give up the pegs they had taken. After having first refused your terms, the Natives asked for time to consider the matter, as some of their people were absent. The survey being completed, I returned here on the following evening, expecting to get a reply in a few days. On the 6th instant I wrote, telling them that I was waiting for a reply ; also stating that if the offer was refused it would not be renewed. I received a reply to the effect that they still waiting for Matiu and others, who were absent. After receiving your telegram of the 19th instant I again wrote, telling them that I would give them fourteen days to consider the matter, after which the terms offered by you would be withdrawn. I received the enclosed reply, in which they absolutely refused to accept the terms, or leave the land which is in dispute. I may state for your information that Mr. Ellison informs me that the portion of Mr. Harding's fence which is already erected is on the proper boundary line, according to the grants of the two blocks. While Mr. Ellison was at Waipawa the Natives pointed out what they claim to be Pelichet's original line; also another line nearer to the bush, which they state was laid out by Mr. M. Fitzgerald or Mr. Bousfleld. The points of the last supposed line are between what they state to be Mr. De Pelichet's line and the one now in dispute. Mr. Ellison is of opinion that it is probable that Mr. De Pelichet's traverse line did run about the place pointed out by the Natives. I have, &c, The Hon. the Native Minister, Wellington. Geoege A. Pbeeoe.

The Hon. J. Beyce to the Hon. W. Eollestcot. (Telegram.) 24th April, 1880. Waipawa Natives refuse to accept terms, and refuse also to leave land. I think Harding might receive assistance in quelling any disturbance arising from his fencing, which I should not imagine is likely to be seriousi John Beyce,