[Translation.]

These are the words which were publicly spoken to Dr. Featherston on the 5th of April. These are the words of Ngatiraukawa, expressing their determination to hold fast to Rangitikei.

Sir, Dr. Featherston, hearken attentively (to what we say); deal fairly by the people within the Province of which you are Superintendent. This same land was sold by Ngatiapa formerly, but it was page 6withheld by Ngatiraukawa, and so kept back; but they allowed the sale of the other side, and it was sold to Governor Grey—so the desire of Ngatiapa was accomplished, the boundary still lay—the river of Rangitikei. After that, Ihakara sold Manawatu. Ngatiraukawa acceded to his wish, and Manawatu was sold to Governor Browne. The boundary was then laid down, from Kaiiwi, thence to Omarupapako, thence to Pakingahau; there the boundary ended. This is a lasting boundary. After this, Hirawanu sold Upper Manawatu. It was agreed to by Ngatiraukawa, and that portion was sold to Governor Grey after his second coming to New Zealand. Te Hirawanu's desire was accomplished, and the boundary laid down from Mangawharawhara to Rotopiko, to Paripuwha on the Oroua where it ends. This is a lasting boundary; this is the land which you are buying. We will not at all allow it to be sold to you; no, by no means. This is to be a place of residence for ourselves to be carefully surveyed (subdivided). We ourselves will pay the pakeha (the surveyor); he shall carry the compass, and we ourselves will assist him.

Dr. Featherston made no reply whatever to these words.

On the 12th of April, we (Ngatiraukawa) again stood up in the presence of Dr. Featherston, and gave expression to words of the greatest import.

Sir, Dr. Featherston, do not you of your own accord buy our land lest you be wrong. If there is trouble on our land, let it be left well alone for the Land Court to decide, so that it may end well—for a Court has been appointed to adjudicate in questions of Maori land—do not you act in a manner resembling seizing by the back of the head, lest a bad fall be the consequence, and the result be disastrous. Neither will our land be permitted (by us) to be bought by you; no, not at all. No work has been completed which was conducted in an improper manner; but when it has been acceded to by the people who dwell upon that land, then will it be completed.

Dr. Featherston replied: 800 of Wanganui, 200 of Ngatiapa, 100 of Rangitane and Muaupoko— these are the tribes which went together with us to fight the rebel tribes—they have consented to the sale; that land is now in my possession; I will hand the money over to them.

Ngatiraukawa answered: We will hold fast to our own land; we will not take your money.

On the 16th of April, we again addressed ourselves to Dr. Featherston: Hearken, Dr. Featherston. Do not you give your money to the sellers of land; rather survey the land so that you may see which land belongs to those persons who are selling, lest you give your money at the first to the land sellers, and afterwards when you go to draw your chain over our land, your chain will not light down upon the ground because of our driving it off; and you, the Pakeha, will be angry, because you are simply taking away our land by force. Keep back your money lest you sow the seed of evil, and the people of this place get into trouble through you.