Gisborne, 19th Augst., 1874. Dear Sir, I returned yesterday from Hicks Bay having visited all Ngatiporou Settlements on Militia and other duties I have had to visit the coast frequently during Ropatas absence. The tribe generally are in a peacefull state with exception of an occasional land dispute. The latest is between the Aowera and Whanau-a-Rua a rather serious dispute as one of the hapus say that men must fall if not soon settled. I have got them to defer the matter till Ropata arrives. I saw a letter in the hands of Raniera Tawhia from a Native at Kennedys Bay in which a number of damaging statements were made about the actions of Govt. and mentioning a petition being signed to put out your Govt. Another that Govt. was going to purchase or lease all the country from here to Bay of Plenty. There seems to be some wide spread political move, judging from the Number of secret petitions set afloat among the Natives. Mr. Horsfall and one or two other europeans in the Bay have been siding with Natives in the Henare Matua movement. I have the honor to be, Yours most faithfully, T.W.Porter, Adjt.