Police Barracks 17th. October 1850. Dear Sir, I am glad an opportunity offers to Wellington, enabling me to report last Tuesday's eventful proceedings, knowing how anxious you will be, when the verbal report reaches your station. Never were my eyes so completely opened about the natives before. Institutions, Hospitals, Hostelrys, allowances, kindnesses, and almost universal levity, will not change them. They are as wild and untameable as ever. The provocation was great, but the chief cause of complaint is the fact of their going into Court with the determination to plunder, unless the decision is given exactly in their favour; then turning round and insulting the gentlemen who give them their time and attention, in order that justice may be done. Really it is most humiliating, and I am not surprised when I hear Captain King and Dr. Weston have declined sitting in another native case, until some alteration is made. Europeans havs provoked by the spearing of cattle, for instance, Messrs, Smart and Good, likewise Mr. Groute. The latter was obliged to kill the animal, as soon as he got it home. These are upalatable truisms, for the lawless men who surround us. Had you seen the contemptuous manner in which Paratene, (in particular), and others passed the police Officer, whose stood the R.M. and other J.P's, you never would forget it, but I am delighted you were not present. The sooner you can return the better, and curb your rebellious children, before it is too late. They need a rough hand, and a mouth the size of a cannon to bring them to obedience. Nothing short of that will avail. Such was my opinion years ago, and I have had no occasion to alter it. But this last scene has made a wonderful alteration in my sentiments about the native Regiments! The work I had cut out for laying down boundaries, the cession of Waireka, and other matters in which natives were concerned, are for the present in abeyance. They abandoned the Kawau the night of the robbery, almost to a man; and by daylight not a soul was to be seen. Neither have I met with any of them since. Hitherto they have been quiet. They are guiet now. But it's because they have got what they wanted. The wounded, horse is doing well. Tamati Waka came up from Tataraimaka this morning, and told me that S. Howell, (Mr. Cutfield's man), had accidentally cut a Wareata native's leg, named Hairine. Plunder and firing. Mr. Cutfiled's house was proposed, but negatived by another party, who took the pains to make enquiries; when it proved as I have already stated, and was settled by Mr. Cutfield. I send this by "Katherine Johnstons" bound for Wellington to-morrow, wind and weather permitting, hoping she will catch the "Rover" in time to answer the purport of this communication. I had almost forgotten to say the Waireka affair was mixed up with this last business, by E Waka and others, before the Court assembled. I was informed that Mr. Pita had stated his determination not to leave; and that the Agent for the land, (R.B.) might kill him, but that it should take place on the land. Very faithfully yours (Signed) H. Halse. To:- D. McLean Esq.