No. 36.
Nerihana Te Paea to the Hon. D. McLean.

"This is what Nerihana Te Paea has to say about the breaking of the fence, the pulling up of the seed of Nerihana and others who live at Mahoenui.

In December, 1870, the clearing was set on fire; it was planted and fenced at the same time; there are about four acres of it; it has not been measured.

On the 11 th January, when the plants had grown about six inches from the ground, Muaupoko came early in the morning, about three o'clock a.m., and broke down the fence; twenty men of the Muaupoko came with sticks and hatchets in their hands; they found Ropiha and Tuapeti there; they pulled up the potatoes.

Ropiha said, 'Do you wish to teach us that sort of work?' Muaupoko replied, 'What is that to Muaupoko.' But we have repaired the damage to the potatoes, and they are growing again; but if they return, trouble may arise, for we may not he able to keep our tempers from year to year, as they are constantly trying us. This is to warn the Government, so that it will not be able to say that we acted hastily. This is all.