inland. It is the strong and well fortified village of Te Rangihēata, the leader and instigator of the late rebellion at Porirua. The Pa, which is well built, has besides very good natural defences, having but one approach: As a stronghold I have seen nothing equal to it in this part of the country. The land around it is of the best kind, and the crops looked remarkably well. Rangihēata has always borne the character, both among the settlers and Natives, of being honest and candid, whether in his private dealings, or under the more exciting circumstances and temptations of a war expedition, during which the character and dispositions of the leading men in particular are easily and most certainly displayed. Rangihēata is much altered since the outbreak, and though still very loquacious, his constitution is evidently breaking. He is still thought a good deal of by all the natives on the coast, but his influence as having a tendency to raise any commotion, has certainly very much diminished. The number of his followers is but small; many of these have embraced Christianity, and become quiet and peaceable. Rangihēata still adheres to the old native customs, and this is I suppose the only village in this part of the country where the "Tapu" still exists. Most of his time is spent in fishing, in making and repairing nets, and superintending the work of his slaves, who are kept under great subjection. He likewise entertains many visitors from the interior, including Taupo and Rotorua. A Daily School is kept here by the Native Teacher for the children, while the others are principally occupied in cleaning Flax and rearing Pigs for the English market. Population, 129.

27th Settlement.—" MANAWATU."

Is Distant from Otaki about 25 miles. Manawatu is the finest river in this neighbourhood—is navigable for several miles, the banks of which are composed of a rich alluvial Deposit and well timbered. It has two small branches called "Oroaa," and "Tokomaru"—up the latter is the pass into the Wairarapa, but very shallow and serpentine. Manawatu is one of the Principal Districts occupied by the "Ngatiraukawa"—intermixed with them are two small tribes, one called "Te Paneiri," originally from the Hawke’s Bay country, the other, a remnant of the old Ngatitānes, part of whom are still to be found in and near the Wairau. The Manawatu is becoming a district of considerable importance, owing to the recent demand for Flax, and in no district that I have travelled over have I found it so plentiful; Judging from this, it will be seen that the country lays low and subject to inundations. There are several Europeans on the River, who employ native agents as storekeepers and general traders at each of the principal stations. These are young men of good character, and sell either on commission, or are paid a yearly salary for their services. Upon enquiry I found that many of them thoroughly understood the simple rules of arithmetic, and could calculate very readily. Most of the Flax, Wheat, and Pork, &c., is sold by weight to the Europeans and to each other, at certain fixed prices. A considerable quantity of wheat is grown at Manawatu, and a ready market is found for the flour which is ground at Mr. Kebble’s mill.

The three principal stations or settlements on the Manawatu are "Te Awahou," near the heads, "Taita" and "Moutoa" or "Te Rewa Rewa," up the river. With the exception of Te Awahou, there are no other Pas or fortifications worth mentioning. The huts and cultivations are scattered along the banks of the river, and generally contiguous to the flax grounds. The easy water conveyance for the flax and other produce, including timber, has made the Manawatu a favourite residence with the Natives and in the two small rivers of Oroaa and Tokomaru, Eels are most plentiful. A village has been laid out at Te Rewa Rewa, and a substantial Church is in progress of erection at the Native Settlement of Te Awahou. It is, I think, probable that the Natives will make this their headquarters, as it is near the heads and convenient for fishing. The Native population, as will be seen by the enclosed Return, is considerably larger at Manawatu than at any other place, and there are likewise several European settlers who are living on friendly terms with them. From the dampness of the country many of them are taken off either by fevers or consumption, and are not within reach of medical aid. As the most central station between Wellington and Wanganui, Te Awahou seems to offer more advantages than any other settlement on the whole line of coast, for a Police Station, where a Medical dispensary might also be kept for affording relief to all sick persons within the districts of Otaki and Rangitikei, to defray the expenses of which a small fee might be demanded of the Natives, which I believe they would readily pay, rather than be at the expense and fatigue of travelling to Wellington for assistance.

It will be interesting to His Excellency to learn that within the district of Waikawa and Manawatu alone, flax to the amount of about 80 tons per annum is prepared entirely by the Natives, and that they are realizing at from 1d. to 1½d. per lb cash, and that the traffic between them and the settlers appear to be carried on in a liberal and praiseworthy manner. There are 2 or 3 cattle stations, and the Native population amounts to 877.

28th Settlement.—RANGITIKEI.

Distant from Manawatu about 16 miles, is included within the new purchase and inhabited by a tribe called Ngatiapa. There are three Pas—one near the entrance of the river, the other two about 5 miles further up, and within a very short distance of each other. One of them is occupied by a portion of the Natives who were expelled from the Hutt at the time of the rebellion. Te Kowhera, Rangihaeata’s priest, who I saw, lives here also, and this once little disaffected band have now settled and become quiet and well behaved. These are known as the Ngatirangatahi, and are entirely distinct from the Ngatiapa, who occupy the other two Pas.

The Ngatiapa are a remnant of the original people, and have held but little intercourse with the Europeans. They are still rude and uncivilized, and look with a jealous eye upon their conquerors, the Ngatiraukawa, by whom they were recently permitted to sell the land on the other side of the river. The whole of the Ngatiapa scarcely amount to more than 300 souls, including Turakina and Whangaehu, for whom a sufficiency of land has been reserved. The quantity of stock already introduced is considerable, and the Natives will soon find the necessity of erecting substantial Fences around their plantations. This they must do at once in order to live at peace with the settlers. If the Natives of Rangitikei improve, they will eventually become useful auxiliaries to the settlers, and even now their attention is being drawn to the preparation of the flax, where, if sufficient inducement offers, a rope-walk will soon be established by one or two of the enterprising settlers. Total Native population, 259.

Arms and ammunition I believe the Natives in this district possess in considerable quantities, which are very carefully preserved. It was not in my power to obtain any accurate information on this subject, but I found the "Arms prohibition Ordinance" working well, and the Natives did not at all object to apply to the proper authorities for permission to have their fowling pieces repaired.

His Excellency will be gratified to find from this short outline of the state of the district, as well as