Napier May 28th. 69. Dear Sir, In reference to a question which has disturbed the minds of the natives of the East Coast very considerably of late namely a rumour which has got afloat that the Govt. might one day or other disarm them. I have to state that the question has been repeatedly put to me by Natives as to the credibility of such rumour and in the case of the late ''Wairoa'' Expedition ''Ihaka Wanga'' who was much annoyed at his people showing so little alacrity in obeying his orders, said that he would take away the Govt. weapons in the handsof his tribes as they were given to , not to them and if they refuse to obey him he would use this pressure on them. This idea had never originated with himself. I have frequently discussed these questions with individual chiefs explaining our system of govt. which they complain they cannot understand. Also that altho we changed the men the one line of Policy towards the Natives as a race would be followed. At the meeting at Pauls on the 1st. April, I told them to pay no attention to any rumours of like nature, but that with reference to the expedition the offer to go was theirs and it rested with them to make good their words or not to complain if the Govt.