to go if we would act as spies for them and attempt to bring back the woman, but as they this morning insisted on our going unguided by the Titirangi raod which we have been informed is circuitous and difficult instedd of that by Takopu and as another visit to another chieftain (Hakopa) and in all probability another long debate and more obstacles were necessary preliminaries to our departure even by the longer route we felt that our best course was to return. I have only to add that the natives assert that their hearts are very dark and that unless some steps are soon taken to pacify them they fear that they may not be able to prevent themselves from making war on the Ngatimaru an event