The Resident Magistrate, Central Whanganui, to the Hon. the Native Minister.

In compliance with a minute of the Native Minister, dated 8th November, 1862, on letter from D. S. Drurie, R.M., dated 30th June, 1862, respecting the eel and inanga weirs in the District of Okiu, on the Mataraua Stream and its tributaries, I have the honour to report that I proceeded on the 13th March, in company with the chiefs Tamati Puna Pehira and Hoani Wiremu Hipongo, to get all the information I could respecting these fisheries. I would state that, on the day previous to my being there, some one (supposed to be a European) set fire to and burnt one of the principal weirs in that locality, which at the time nearly put an end to further negotiation. However, I beg to state the number and names of nearly the whole of the eel and inanga weirs, most of which were seen by me—namely: (1) Wharetahi, (2) Otapiri, (3) Oti, (4) Waihirereiti, (5) Waihirerenui, (6) Te Houhi, (7) Aratawa, (8) Ngawarua, (9) Okurangatai, (10) Puhikanui, (11) Mangapaiari, (12) Ta Kahakaha, (13) Te Pakiaka, (14) Katikatea, (15) Te Piri-o-Hema, (16) Tatai-o-te-Matau, (17) Te Rere I., (18) Te Rere II., (19) Pirinoa, (20), Putataua, (21) Maraeroa, (22) Tutumapou, (23) Whangairiro, (24) Okahukura, (25) Rotokopu, (26) Kairepa, (27) Kahukatia, (28) Whareatua, (29) Kaitara, (30) Maeanui, (31) Tanga-a-te-Kahoroiwi, (32) Waikamate, (33) Te Poroporo, (34) Tuhi-a-te-Rerewha, (35) Te Awahurie, (36) Moturautawhiri, (37) Makakahi, (38) Te Uri-a-te-Wharemoa, (39) Korakonui, (40) Otarawairua. These forty weirs are in the main stream of the Mataraua.

The following are in the tributaries, principally the Mangamouku Creek—namely: (41) Matakanohi I., (42) Matakanohi II., (43) Puharawhara, (44) Te Kupenga, (45) Mangamutu, (46) Arapakiaka, (47) Te Kopua, (48) Te Parapara, (49) Kohikohitawa, (50) Te Ngarukaiwaka, (51) Mata Herepuru, (52) Kohukohu, (53) Maraua, (54) Takanga-o-Ngatai, (55) Te Mata, (56) Te Kaiwhata—which are now offered by the owners of these fisheries for the sum of £200.

I would state that these are all the fisheries owned by the Natives on the above-named stream and its tributaries, but I do not recommend the above sum, leaving to the Government to state what sum will be given.

Memorandum.—(Received 2nd May.)

Mr. White requested to state whether the sum named is understood as an equivalent for the cancelling of the whole eel-pa clause and rights under it in the Whanganui deed.

Memorandum.

Mr. White (6th May) says: "The £200 asked for by the Natives is only for the weirs in the stream and Valley mentioned in my report; not for all the fisheries mentioned in the Whanganui Purchase deed." For the Minister for Native Affairs.

Memorandum.

Will you be pleased to communicate with the Superintendent of Wellington, and ascertain whether his Honour would recommend the sum of £200 being paid for the acquisition of the eel-weirs mentioned by Mr. White. I fear that, at this rate, the extinction of the eel-weirs at Whanganui would involve the extinction of the balance of the Land Purchase Fund of Wellington.

Minute.

The demand is monstrous, and the Native Minister is perfectly correct. I certainly shall not agree to more than £25 being paid for the eel weirs named by Mr. White. I believe great mischief will ensue from Native Resident Magistrates and Native Reserves Surveyors being allowed to meddle with land questions…..