Copy of a letter from a Ngatiraukawa chief (non-settler) which was published in the Advertiser:—

(To the Editor of the Advertiser.)

"Otaki,

April 23, 1867.

"This is an answer on the part of the Ngatiraukawa for our elder brothers, the pakehas, and the Government of New Zealand, to Ihakara Tukumaru's letter. He states in his letter that we hare no claim on Rangitikei. Do you listen? He, on the contrary, has no standing place on the Rangitikei block, not even the smallest spot. It was only when he joined us in asserting our claims against the Ngatiapa, in 1863, that his foot rested at Tawirihoe. It is true that Ngatiapa had a claim formerly, but it has been ours by conquest since the year 1831, and the date of our taking possession of this land.

"We don't deny the claim of Rei and Tapa, and their people each to his small piece.

"Is it right, we should like to ask, for strangers to dispose of another man's property? We say that a man ought to have the disposal of his own property either to sell or to withhold, it is for himself to determine, especially when he has been many years in possession of his property. We have been thirty-six years in possession of the land at Rangitikei, and have held it, and yet all these tribes, whose names have been written, are said to have sold Rangitikei to Dr. Featherston.

"Say, then, our elder brothers, on what ground do these tribes rest their claims to Rangitikei. In our opinion they have no claim. This is the reason why they have no claim, because it has become ours by conquest, in the page 59 same way that you pakehas obtain land. We are right in keeping possession; we do so under the protection of the law, and in obedience to law.

"And now, our elder brothers, cease from hiding the law. Let it come and ascertain the right of Ihakara's title, and that of the tribes who are acting with him. Ihakara has not a leg to stand upon—he has no claim to Rangitikei—his claim rests upon lies. By these means he got hold of his Pakeha accomplices and his lies have been taken up by his Pakeha friends, and they all lie together. Let us have done with that. What we still ask of yon, elder brothers, who, together with us, are bothered about this matter, is to cease from withholding the law. Let us have the law, that the matter may soon be settled. It is for this reason that we repeat, let the law come.

"(Signed)

"Ngatiraukawa.

"Sir, please print this in your paper."