To the Editor of the New Zealand Spectator. Wellington, July 17th, 1845.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume I, Issue 41, 19 July 1845, Page 3

To the Editor of the New Zealand Spectator. Wellington, July 17th, 1845.

Sir, — We were much surprised to find, in last week's Spectator, a paragraph of a very erroneous nature, with reference to the maori gathering at Porirua : and we shall be glad if you will allow us in your next to set you and the public right about the matter. The assemblage had no reference whatever to political subjects, being of a purely religious character. It was resolved upon at our Christmas quarLerly meeting of lay officers of the church more than six months ago. At that time Kororarika was standing, and there nas no apprehension of danger here. Further, so far from these southern natives having any communications with Heki, it is doubtful whether they would have ever heard of his name had it not been through the medium of the newspapers. There is no ground for suspicion of evil from our maori neighbours, as they are all friendly disposed towards the settlers, and will remain so as far as we have an opportunity of judging. While every proper precaution is taken against danger, ought we not to deprecate the indulgence of these groundless suspicions, as likely to bring about the thing that is feared ? Yielding to none in true English feeling, and being as anxious as any for the prosperity of the settlements in New Zealand, we beg to subscribe ourselves Your obedient servants, | James Watkin, Saml. Ironside.