Independent, 9th December, 1869.

"By telegrams received yesterday, we are informed that the Maori, Miritana, who was apprehended and brought to trial for destroying a survey station on the Manawatu block, has been convicted, and fined £25, or, in default of payment, is sentenced to three months' imprisonment in the Wanganui gaol. Two other natives were at the same time brought up before the Resident Magistrate's Court, on the same charge, but as it was not pressed against them, they were mulcted in the mitigated penalty of 1s., and dismissed. The voluntary surrender of the two last mentioned offenders may be taken as a proof that there is no great sympathy with them among the majority of the natives. A promise was made on their behalf by several of the native chiefs, to Mr. Fox, that they should surrender themselves for trial, and, as we learn, the promise was faithfully kept. The firm, decided action of the Premier seems to have gained the confidence of the natives in this case, as fully as his recent visit to Topia appears to have disarmed all suspicion, and cemented the friendship of the Wanganui tribes."

The following are letters from Ngatiraukawa Natives to myself, asking me to do what I can for them with respect to their land taken from them in the Manawatu-Rangitikei Block, and at Horowhenua. Also, a letter from the Native Office, informing them that no land will be given to them out of the Manawatu-Rangitikei Block.—T. C .W.