To the Editor of the Hawke's Bay Times.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume I, Issue 48, 29 May 1862, Page 5 (Supplement)

To the Editor of the Hawke's Bay Times.

Sik, —During the course of my travels up and down the Province of Hawke’s Bay, it frequently occurs that I dismount from my horse at a kainga, and have a little “ palaver” with our tan-colored brethern or (according to some of the latest authorities) masters, as the case may be, while the said horse may J Jiiivc a, siioi u Jtcoi/ ctjju. a* uitc oi You will no doubt readily believe that at such times the expressions and sentiments I hear from the natives often afford amusement for the time, and matter for reflection during the remainder of my journey. This was never more the case than a few days since, at the Pukipuki, which I was then given to understand is now the head quarters for the levying of black mail, or, in other words, grass money. I was further informed

that considerable difficulty was formerly experienced by them (the Maories) in collecting what they are pleased to call their due. until they hit upon the happy expedient of forcibly taking some of the bullocks from a team belonging to one of the country settlers; but since the time of that successful stroke of policy they have no more difficulty, for that all who were before that refractory customers, now come down with the dust at once. I was further given to understand that they by no means intend to give up so lucrative a source of income, after finding out the method of enforcing their demands, but that, next season they will continue the practise of demanding the utu, and should occasion require, of seizing on the cattle to enforce such demand. One of them, (I think he said his name was Aperahama) told me that. Mr. Russell, the Commissioner, had talked to them on the subject, and wished them to make a small charge per night for each team, but that they had replied that that would not do, they will have A2 u-year for each team, no matter whether it passes once or fifty times, all is the same to them, and further 'this £2 shall be paid in advance next year, or two bullocks shall be taken fur the same. Supposing that this morsel of native intelligence might interest some of your readers, as an example of the natives’ ideas of justice, and of their liberal way of dealing with chance travellers, 1 hand it to you fur the benefit of such, and remain. Yours, &c., A Traveller.