Waipukurau November 4th 1863 Sir, As you are possibly not acquainted with the cause of the delay in the repayment to you of the sum of £300, purchase money of the Ngapaeruru Block, Porangahau, which you recently agreed to accept from the runanga, I beg to state that yesterday I received positive and reliable information, which has since been abundantly confirmed, that one hundred and ten pounds of that money has been appropriated and spent by one of the principal claimants of the block, and the noisiest opponent to its sale - Paora te Ropiha. Kt appears that Paora, being one of the cleverest mischief plotters and leading men of the runanga, as well as a Native catechist, had been selected as the custodian of the money, after it was taken from te Kuru; and in his hands it was supposed to be safe, until, when you had agreed to receive it back for the Government, Paora was called upon to produce the cash, when the embezzlement came to light. The other claimants are in such a fright lest the Government should set up a claim to the block in consequence of part of the money having been appropriated by one of themselves, that another of them Henare Matua, has actually given £50 towards making up the deficit. I have the honour to be, Sir, Your most obedient servant G.S. Cooper