Auckland Dec. 7 /70 The Honble. The Native Minister. My dear Sir I came here to attend the Annual District Meetings of Wesleyan Ministers, and am just about to return to Raglan. Since I came here poor Mr. Todd has been shot. Some 2 months ago Mr. Todd himself, and at his own house in Raglan, introduced me to two gentlemen, who had been prospecting for gold on Pirongia - a week or 2 afterwards he left for the same locality. He at that time was aware of excitement among kingites, but would not admit, as many others did, that the excitement was caused by prospecting for gold. Kingites probably blamed him for bringing the "diggers" to Pirongia, or it may be for the survey, or for both, and I believe this was the cause of their murdering him. That he, and he alone, was their intended victim is evident I think, from the fact, that they did not plunder Mr. Todd's tent, or pursue those who ran away. Yesterday I had a letter from Raglan, in which I read "Andrew Barton has been sent to the king with a message, that he will be attacked unless the murderers are given up". If that be true I think it a great mistake - An attacking force, I fear, would only kill or take such natives as neither wish or can do us any harm. If on the other hand, you commence a road into the interior, the very men whom you wish to take or to destroy will come and attack the road party. In this way you may obtain a double object - you can make a good road just where you want it (as General Cameron did from Drury to Waikato 1/3 and at the same time are brought face to face with the most able, dangerous, or guilty of the kingites. An attempt to catch any of these would be in vain, I believe, A short time before I left home, Mr. John Moore came to Raglan to consult me about the Aotea School, as a few natives (not professed kingites) gave him much annoyance. A message came after him not to go back as the kingites would kill or injure him. He did not come away out of fear, nor have the kingites ever warned him or me - I mean to go over to Aotea and see as soon as I get back. As we do not irritate the "hauhaus" leave us alone, but I am sorry to say that there are other men who would expel us, because are not permitted to provoke by surveys, leases, vessels, aukaties, stores etc. - Perhaps I ay be compelled to do with a Native Teacher. I will write again when I get home. Yrs.very respectfully C. H. Schnackenberg.