Paripari May 9th 1850 Dear Sir I take the opportunity of letting you know the result of the late committee that took place this last week on the arrival of the Mokau natives to this place but previous to the arrival of the Hui, and on my arrival at home when the old man heard of your visit to Mokau and for what cause and the result of that visit in respect to the natives consent to sell that portion of land the Awa kino he Taonui was very much enraged with Waitara for offering any land for sale in that district without first asking his Taonui's consent has he says that there is a portion of it his called Wai ihi I believe that is if I recollect one boundary line it was Tuku/a given to him during their last wars with the Ngati wai ora tribe for preserving all Mokau has he states this was the cause of his displeasure with Takare and he spoke to me about it and said that he was very much ngakau (hari pouri) displeased and for that cause he would dispose tuku all Mokau from Awa kino up to uri nui to the Government and that he would take a journey to Auckland for that purpose of course has he spoke to me I took the liberty to press him to do it it remained has such till the Hui arrived last Monday the 6th of May and on Wednesday following the grand committee took place and lasted all day of course there were some fine speeches made On different subjects and the land in question and what I heard was all confusion nothing at all satisfactory in my opinion the old man broached the subject and they all said he was quite right in respect to his claim, but previous to their arrival they had heard that is the Mokau people of the Taonui's displeasure that he should say he would not leave them a root of a tree to sit on the he would part with all that is the land whereas they were prepared for him so he commenced making a very long speech the latter part to some Ngati awa natives telling them that it was not right for the present resident natives at New Plymouth to molest the Europeans not giving up the land that they had purchased that is the white people that the maoris had no business to return but to remain at Port Nic were they were driven but to let those few returned slaves remain quiet with the white people when he had done the Raka stood up and he stoutly refused to consent to parting with Mokau but there again he says he is not a covetous man he only wants a little in the palm of his hand but after all it remains has this that they must see what will be the benefits that arise for what they have consented to part with, and they pursuaded the old man not to go to Auckland on the subject they very artfully persuaded this that while he remained peacefully at home and sold no land he would be respected by all Europeans but directly he sold any land they would make a slave of him for he must go here and there where they bid him and result would be that he would be like the old Raupahara and John Heki and others for when the white people had got all out of him and had no further went of him they then would dispise him, but they say remain has he is at present and he will be respected by all Maories and white the Pakeha this is the argument they used Takare pointed out ably the benefits that would arise if Mokau should be colonised but I think that the grand error is this that he Takere did not more fully let know or ask all their opinion before he spoke to yourself and that is the cause of making him so many opposite voices but I think they will not refuse long if they are pressed much I do not know whether Taonui still persists in going to Auckland or not they are all away at the wahapu at present to the Hui's destination were I start for tomorrow. Dear Sir on my return I recommence my letter I have seen Mr Morgan and he requested me to let you know that he has wrote by Post and beg acknowledge the present that you sent I received the parcel but the pigs were lost on the return of the, your natives I had left Mokau and Mr Schnackenberg sent them by Paraone the chief of Wakatumutuma and it appears they were lost at Euakaka but we are in hopes of getting them yet I am happy to say that my son George is doing very well at Mr Morgans and also all the children at the Institution I am much obliged to you for the present that you sent him and I hope the day may come that he may be able to thank you with gratitude for it Since the departure of the natives from this place there has been great discussion among them on land question and during the time I was at the Wahapu Taonui requested me to write a letter for him to the Governor and one for yourself both in the same language you will perceive that he has offered from Pukearuhe up to the Taniwa but you will know best yourself how to treat it I pointed out to him what I thought would be the result of such a preceding in respect to the Ngati Awa tribe which he treated with contempt merely saying that they have flew from him before and they shall do it again he seems quite enraged with them you will perceive that by this offer of Taonui's that you will have encompassed in the middle the Europeans on the south side of Waitara and the natives on the North side of the Taniwa then I asked him what should be the content in land and he said that you were to go has far has you like so long has you did not intefere with Wanganui now I think that this is a parcel of land that is very little known not inland, and now Sir I beg to suggest that if you accept his offer that it will be best to see him has soon has convenient to yourself I enclose you his letter your old friend Takare is gone to Auckland he as forgotton his promise to accompany you to Port Nic he is making himself quite foolish they say that he is gone to get boots Coats Trowsers &c of the Governor So I conclude wishing you all prosperity &c &c I Remain Yours Truly Lewis Hetet toD McClean Esqr I hope you will excuse my bad scrall