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English
Turanga 1st. April, 1865 D. McLean, Esq., Napier. My dear Sir, Yours by St. Kilda has duly reached me. We are undoubtedly in a most unsettled state, one knows not what to believe. I have been assured by Pototi (Paratene) Tamahana Ruatapu and others that we have no cause for fear. Nor do I individually anticipate any outbreak against us in Pakeha Maori and traders. At the same time when one sees old and young falling away to the new faith, it cannot but cause grave considerations. I am sorry Sydney Tekane should have seceded. Lazarous is also I hear a convert. You have long known my private opinion of Mr. Rukupo - Andrew Matete has also turned I am told. He has been for some time, in fact has I believe only waited to see which was the winning side. Many of our settlers have taken panick and are leaving by the , several members of Bishop William's family amongst the rest. There is a most decided feeling against the Clerical body in the Maori mind just now. I do not think they much care about losing their Pastors. How very little hold the Chritian faith has had on these people can not be better shown than by late events. I fear I am not wrong in what I have ever thought - that there is not (really) one Christian Native in New Zealand. Mr. Volkner's death is very sad. He poor fellow differed with many of his cloth always held the Waitara war to be just and that the only way to save these people was to subject them. I hope this storm like others we have experienced will blow over but you truly remark one cannot calculate on the probable effects of the present fanatical movement. Very faithfully, J. W. Harris. I hear by the bye that the tribes in immediate vicinity of Bishop Williams do not disguise the fact of their intention to assist the Opotiki Natives. You will doubtless hear more of this from Revd. Saml. Williams.

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