Shortland 11th. February 1870. Dear Sir, We arrived here from Ohinemuri on Wednesday night, having been ordered off by the ''ngehe''. On Monday last we commenced cutting the pegs; and by the evening had done 500. We stacked them in the whare, and thought that no further notice would be taken. But alas! just after sunset a division of the ''ngehe'' arrived, and after prayers, ordered us to leave at once, and take away the timber. Of course we would not go; so they broke into the whare, and commenced to carry away the pegs. We hindered them as far as were able without having recourse to violence. I went to look for Ropata; who was up the river digging potatoes. By the time we returned to Pukateawairahi the natives had gone back to Papaturoa, taking with them in their canoe, 175 pegs. I believe they said that they would be with us again in the morning. I took a letter from Ropata to Te Hira and Mere Kuru, and received another in reply; which was simply a repition of the order given by the ''ngehe''. The timber will be safe now that we have left the district. But what is to be done? Ought not an information to be laid against the natives for theft? The principal women who took part in the peg-stealing were Ngati, Hana, Tuihana, and Rawiri. The two latter occasionally come to Shortland. Hoping that all are well, I remain, dear Sir, Yours truly, (Signed) H.S. Johnson.