been customary in such cases. The day after this took place, the Rev. H. Turton, (Wesleyan Missionary), who happened to be at the Waitara, wrote a note to Taonui, advising him not to notice the insult; as the offender had been a captive of his, and unworthy of his notice; the rest of the natives having disapproved of his conduct. On my return from my journey in the interior, I learnt the circumstances from Te Kuri, Taonui's son; who told me that he had that day sent the intelligence to his Father, regretting he had not done so sooner; that I might, whilst at his place, have induced him to pass the matter over quietly, stating he himself had written him to ask for payment, instead of the usual revenge. This it appears Taonui agreed to, by making a most exhorbitant requisition for payment, from all the Europeans and natives of this place, as per enclosed translation of a letter from his son; to which I replied that Europeans could not be included in their demand; as they were not concerned in their customs; at the same time regretting the offence the natives had given by cursing Taonui. The first intimation we received of the Tapu, or the road being Tapu, was from Mr. Thatcher; who, with a Mail Carrier and native, were on their way to Auckland, and compelled to return, having been told by the natives they met, if they went any further they would be robbed, and otherways end angered by the natives of Mokau; who were strictly observing Taonui's orders not to allow any person to pass, until the demands in his letter were complied with. On hearing from Mr. Thatcher that he was not allowed to proceed on his journey, I determined on accompanying him, to endeavour to get him and the Mail Carrier, at least, forwarded,; telling the natives of Waitara my intentions; which induced them to accompany me, and provide some articles to present to Taonui, - consisting of money, guns, clothing and various other articles. We left here on Monday the 19th. of January; and got to Mimi River; where the Tapu was in force. Here we met Waitara, a Mokau Chief; with whom, and all the natives at his place, I had a long conversation; pointing out to them the impropriety of prohibiting Europeans from pursuing their journeys; as they were not implicated in anything that could offend them; and ought not to suffer for a custom they were totally unacquainted with. Waitara at once agreed to the Europeans passing; confining his objection to the Waitara natives who accompanied us; which he afterwards withdrew, on finding they brought goods for Taonui; and we all reached Mokau without interruption; Mr. Thatcher and the New Plymouth messenger continuing their journey to Auckland. The goods for Taonui, who lived 130 miles in the interior, were left at Mokau to be forwarded with a letter from me to his son, advising the road not to be Tapu against Europeans. The articles not being considered sufficient by the old Chief, or his son, the Tapu was again enforced; and a letter sent here by the latter, purposing to be in answer to those written by the Rev. H. Turton and myself; informing us that he would return all the goods from the Waitara natives, (which he has not as yet done);