Letter from Donald McLean, Land Commissioner, to the Honble, the Colonial Secretary, dated 12th. August 1850. Reporting proceedings up the Whanganui river. COPY. Whanganui, 12th. August 1850. Sir, In accordance with the intimation contained in my letter of the 30th. ult., from Rangitikei, I have the honor to acquaint you, for the information of His Excellency, the Lieut. Governor, that, on the 1st. inst., I proceeded up the Whanganui river to Pukehika; where the Rev. R. Taylor had a Meeting of 1500 natives, which afforded me an opportunity of enquiring into various cases of dispute; of assisting the Assessors in adjusting them, and of ascertaining the disposition and objects of the natives, who instigated Pohe's recent visit to Rangitikei. Hemi Hape, the late ringleader of the rebel tribe at Pukehika, acknowledged that he and his relatives claimed land at Otara, and Muri Motu, were chiefly instrumental in occasioning Pohe's proceedings. He, however, after a lengthy display of argument expressive of determination and obstinancy, agreed to relinquish his opposition, provided, his Interior claims were not interfered with, as had been given to understand that the Government contemplated a road being made through his country in continuance of the Horokiwi road, by way of Rangitikei, to Taupo; this, with various other idle rumours, excited the jealousy of the Upper Whanganui natives; which, to a considerable extent, I had the satisfaction of removing. Repeated cases of theft have been committed at the settlement, by natives who escaped the vigilance of the police, and found their way to Pukehika; where a certain degree of dissatisfaction still exists. With the aid of the Chiefs, I apprehended the most notorious of those characters, and caused them to be brought to the Resident Magistrate's Court, where they have undergone their several sentences. From the evidence adduced by the natives, it appears that they were encouraged by a European, who is in gaol on a charge of sheep-stealing, - to commit these depredations, and there is reason, to believe, from their having frequently associated with this man, that such has been the case. The houses on a Native Reserve fronting the town in which these thieves and other disreputable characters took shelter, have been destroyed. I have the honor to remain, Sir, Your most obedient servant, (Signed) Donald McLean. Land Commissioner. To:- The Honble, The Colonial Secretary Wellington.