To the Editor of the Hawke's Bay Times.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume III, Issue 143, 9 October 1863, Page 5 (Supplement)

To the Editor of the Hawke's Bay Times.

Sir, — I was surprised to see in the Herald of Saturday last the startling statement that Wire mu Tamihana (William Thompson), the celebrated Ngatihaua chief of Waikato had recently been in our immediate neighborhood. I confess, I did not believe it (my knowledge of N. Z. etiquette assured me he could not thus have been here and returned). However, on Monday I made diligent enquiry, and found it to be an absolute myth ! Judge, then, how very greatly I am surprised to find in the Herald of this day (being, too, a “ summary for England”) not. only the same untrue statement repeated, but with fresh additions as a comment'uponthe “ fact” of W. T. having been here, and the probable consequent disastrous results to us all! ! Now, this is really too bad. The Herald is known to be at least semi-official, and should give the -public the earliest and most truthful information respecting the Maories. Such a reiterated ■' statement (though known here to be false) may be productive of much injury both among settlers and Maories in the outlying districts of this and the two neighboring Provinces. From the enquiries I have made, I may positively state, that W. T. has never been in this neighborhood; nor (for what we know) a step on this side of Waikato. I sincerely hope your paper of Friday next will be issued in time for the English mail steamer due here to-morrow, so that, at least, the antidote may be commensurate witli the bane. I am, yours, &c., William Colenso. Napier, October 7, 1863.