18th Dec. 1871 A messenger came down the river today from Pehi Turoa to Topia and Tahana to say that 150 Ureweras had arrived at Ohinemotu to visit Topia and both he and Tahana have left and gone up the river with two canoes laden with flour sugar etc. The native curiously enough who brought this news to town, was formerly a policeman in Wanganui his name is Hoani Riheri. About two years ago he visited Topia's village before Topia had become friendly with the Government. Mr.McD. hapened to be there at the time, and noticed Hoani writing a letter, he finished and signed it Hoani folded it up and afterwards read it out to the natives assembled as a document written and signed by the King - he then sealed it and brought it to Wanganui and gave it to Mr.Buller and Mr.Woon, Hoani was made a great fuss with, as he said he had come from the King. He gave it out he was going to Ngati Raukawa with the Kings Kupu, after which he was returning to Te Kooti in the Uriwera country. Subsequently he met Topia and Kemp at Tauranga in Feby./71 and about three months since Topia received a letter from him saying he was going to bring a woman escorted by 300 men to his kainga at Ohinemo tu. McDonnell