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Return of the Correspondence signed or, Purporting to be signed by William Thompson te Waharoa, etc.

[Translation.] — W. Thompson Te Waharoa to Mr. Smith

[corresponding (en, en)]

[Translation.]
W. Thompson Te Waharoa to Mr. Smith.

Friend Mr. Smith,—

Peria, 9th November, 1861.

Salutations to you. Hearken. I wish to ask you if the law relating to spirits has been abolished, and whether it" is permitted to be taken on board vessels. A law has been made; hearken. The vessel belongs to the Maoris; she is a vessel on board which it was decided that no spirits should be put, whether belonging to Maoris or Pakehas; it was not to be allowed; this was the arrangement as regards that vessel. After this law had been made that vessel sailed for Auckland, and when a Pakeha named Ruia (Louis Dihars), a Frenchman, saw her, he put three kegs of spirits on board and came on to Piako. When the Maori Runanga saw it they took away the kegs; their reason for this seizure was, his insisting on putting spirits on board. The owners of the vessel have the kegs of spirits in their possession, but have not touched them. Friend, will you talk with Hone Kuti, and he will tell you about this seizure of spirits.

Enough upon that. In my opinion the seizure of those spirits was quite correct; it was being page 11brought to make the men drunk, and do all sorts of evil. If you condemn it, write; if you approve of it, wrte; for those Pakenas are very persevering in bringing it. Enough.

From William Thompson Te Waharoa.