Wanganui July 31, 1861 My dear Mr. McLean, I received your letter and am sorry to find you have no immediate intention of visiting Wanganui relative to the Waitotara Block. I am sorry also to be obliged to write again about poor Mohi of Rangitikei he seems to be made a constant object of persecution and both he and many of his tribe are almost compelled to renounce there allegiance from fear of being thrown into prison. Indeed I think if we tried we could not use steps more calculated to make the natives disaffected than we are doing at the present moment. A man named Frazer is leasing some 800 acres as a cattle run, instead of that he has converted it into a sheep run although it is a portion of the reserve and close to their cultivations the consequence is some of his sheep were killed he says 25 the blame was laid on Mohi's dog Frazers son went armed with a gun into Mohi's house and demanded the dog with many threats and now a demand is made by Major Durie for £25 for the sheep and £4 or £5 court expenses the natives are very much excited and have refused to pay and I think justly as first this lease is not legal and he is only paying £15 a year for it with the express mention of no sheep having kept upon it. I do trust that Mohi's persecution may be stopped otherwise it will be certain that few there will remain steadfast Mohi has been threatened with imprisonment and the King natives are trying to excite his fear s and get him to leave his place. I feel very sorry that a more conciliatory way of treatment could not be adopted but the circumstance is of sufficient importance for me to bring it before you at once. John Williams has returned but I have not seen him yet. With our kind regards believe me my dear Mr. Maclean yours very faithfully, Richd. Taylor