Copy of a letter from Nepia Taratoa and others to the Honorable the Native Minister.

"To Captain Russell, (Native Minister),—

"What we have said is true. Neither Ngatiapa, Rangitane, nor Muaupoko have anything to do with it (the land).

This is the truth. On our arrival they were all killed or beaten by Te Rauparaha. The authority of the land had also departed, and they remained slaves.

Again To Rauparaha was continually slaying the people who had murdered his children. On account of our long residence among them, at last Te Rauparaha ceased slaying them, and then they lived.

The word of Te Rauparaha went forth : 'Let all the land remain for Ngatiraukawa as far as Rangitikei, and as far as Otaki.'

By this we obtained authority over these lands, and by this our withholding the land is just. Again, we have been living on it for many years.

The people of Ngatiraukawa who have joined in the sale of the land, and Ngaitapa, these people are jealous on account of the small pieces of land belonging to them; another reason is that they have no influence amongst the people who have large pieces of land at Rangitikei.

Now these are the people who possess the authority, and the greater portion of the land."

(Here follow the signatures.)

"We have lived on the land thirty-one years.

The fire of Ngatiapa has not been kindled up to the present day.^*

This is why our speech has been put forth—first, to Governor Grey; second, Governor Browne; third, Governor Grey again.

Our determination to hold fast to the land is fixed, and will never cease."