Auckland August 31st 1870 My dear Mr McLean The attempted arrest of Aparahama and Te Moananui on Promissory notes given (the natives say without their knowledge of the purport of the documents they were signing) has provoked me very much. I have written officially about the matter and I trust that some means of checking the power these unscrupulous pakehas hold of involving the whole country in war will be devised. A great deal of mischief has been done already and it will yet be seen what may be the consequences. I could not in conscience recommend that these pakehas should be indemnified by the Government - especially when you consider all the circumstances of the case, but I wish that the sheriff had the same discretionary power as is accorded to Resident Magistrates, not to issue warrants either distraning (?) goods or arresting the person of any native if the peace of the Country is likely to be endangered Puckey has all along been acquainted with these proceedings but it does not appear that be served Young Turton with a protest against the course he was adopting - I am afraid that Puckey is altogether too soft for these people - they want a man like Barstow at the Thames, he would soon put them to the right about - L.Hetit has been here he was with me for a long time the day before yesterday - He brings the most satisfactory accounts from Te Kuiti - everything is profoundly quiet -They asked for the news from the south and the Runanga which Hetit gave them - The road scheme etc. old Ngapora who is the man we have to consider - listened quietly and made no remark till the next morning - when he said - ''Ka nui te taimaha o tenei korero'' - but Hetit tried to persuade him that it was inevitable and that it would not work ill to either race but a great deal of good - I do not know whether you have written to old Manuhiri lately but perhaps it would be well that he should be acquainted with all that passes - I am anxiously looking for your Native and Defence speech, and to know what the ''houise'' ill accord you in the money line to enable you to carry out your pacific measures - I forgot to mention in the proper place that Hetits wife is here, but the old fellow is in great trouble about her Of course you know as much as I do about it - he tells me that she is quite ''porangi'' He has just sent me a message to say that she is very ill and he cannot return to Waikato today - the communication has been almost entirely cut off with the interior by floods - When Hetit went to Kuiti 15th inst. he had to swim every creek. There is no truth that the Arawas have arrived there - I am very much dissatisfied about the reports that Bush sends in - they cannot be depended on - When in town last he flatly contradicted the truth of the report that the Ngatihaua were going to move off to Maimgatautari. It is quite true that they are going to do so and will just leave Kaitiakis at Ohineroa - Manga was at Mokau he is gone to escort Kirikumara through King Countay. But I understand that there is a doubt whether Ihaia will go to Te Kuiti. The Lord Ashley is in this morning - Got your telegram - shall go in her to Tauranga take Mr.Gill with me and pay all outstanding claims. You will not be surprised to hear that one of my sisters has departed this life. My poor old people are in great trouble. Another of my sisters is seriously ill. I am on the whole very well - but very rheumatic - no wonder with the weather we have been having. Have moved office into Britomart Barracks. Very faithfully yours Hy. T.Clarke