New Plymouth July 16th 1845 Sir, I feel myself compelled to address you in your official capacity for the purpose of informing you that I have again been subjected to molestation from certain natives belonging to the pah at the Huatoki who pretend to lay claim to a greater portion of my Suburban Section than they have already deprived me - At the time the purchase of the 4800 acre block was made by Governor Fitzroy you will doubtless remember that the Natives were allowed to retain 10 acres of my land for 5 years; the Maoris themselves cut the line of division, the boundaries, in order to prevent any future misunderstanding being distinctly marked on a plan now I believe in your possession; the parties interested at that time fully understood the limits of the respective properties and it never for one moment came into my mind that it was their intention at a future period to encroach upon what had been recognised as mine, such however has I regret to state been the case, for to day while some parties in my employ were felling timber for the purpose of extending my clearance they were interrupted in their labour by Timothy and another Native whose name I am not in possession of, these men after using a variety of threats desired my labourers to desist from their operations; this happened in my absence, had I been on the spot let the consequences have been what they might I should have refused compliance with their orders, nor do I imagine that any blame could afterwards attach to me should anything serious have occurred in defending what I have a right to consider as my own and by which only I am enabled to support myself - Possibly you have not forgotten a certain dispute I had with Timothy respecting his absurd claims some time prior to the Governors arrival, I was then, as now, compelled to solicit your interferance as protector and it was ultimately agreed that Timothy should have a patch of land not more than ½ acre in extent in a locality pointed out by you with which he appeared perfectly satisfied the ½ acre after Governor Fitzroy came extended to 10 acres and now I think you will learn with some surprise that the Maoris have commenced cutting another line which if I tamely submit to will curtail my section of 10 acres more! The great desire at present displayed by the natives to become possessors of timber land near the Town is not to be wondered at when it is known how eagerly the wood is purchased from them by sawyers who because they obtain this material at a trifle less in cost from the Maoris are little scrupulous about the rights of property where their fellow settlers are concerned - Such a system as long as it is permitted will be ruinous to the Landholder and at present there appears little prospect of any alteration taking place - You will confer a favor on me by seeing Timothy at your earliest convenience your influence with him and the natives generally may possibly cause him to listen to reason and abandon all claim to land which he well knows I am fairly entitled to - I am, Sir, etc. H. R. Aubrey -Maclean Esqr. Protector of Aborigines