Turanga, Poverty Bay, 12th June, 1851. My dear Sir, I wrote you on the 13th Ult. and now take the opportunity of the "Sarah Jane" sailing for the Coast in your vicinity to again give you the news of this place. I am sorry to say we are again in trouble I had hoped excitement occasioned by Mr. Graces advising the Natives to charge five shillings a head for grass had died out such however is not the case. On Monday 2nd Inst. the Natives proceeded to "Simpsons" at "Wherowhero" and forcibly took a man from him on the following Wednesday they took a man from Mr. King - we had a Committee in which they very plainly told me not to blame them as it was entirely in consequence of Mr. Grace (the Missionary residing here) having told them they ought to charge five shillings a head per year for Europeans Cattle. "Lazerous Rukupo" (who I am happy to say has sided with me in these matters, and who I hope you will not forget should His Excellency confer any mark of favour on any Natives here) told them - with me that they were acting wrongly. They were ultimately perswaded to return both Mares, but under the agreement of sending for one in each case from Auckland for them, and this in the face of (as far as regards Mr. King) and agreement dated 12th Novr. last in which he was to give them the next foal that he had dropp'd - they were told to let matters rest till you returned here but were very scornful of the powers of either the Government or yourself as far as regarded them - in fact Lazerous informs me it has been mooted by te "Walker Parahuka" to turn all the Europeans out of the district. He says he has plenty of Amunition and appears inclined for a brush. On the following Saturday theu paid Mr. Espie a visit and took from him the unfortunate man you influenced the Natives to return him they say this was for Pigs supplied him for work done to a small Vessel on shore here. You have heard some of the circumstances before - I wished the matter to rest till the Archdeacon William. Williams return as he was the party through whom the arrangement was made and has express'd himself to me as perfectly satisfied with the amount of work actually performed as being quite sufficient for the payment received. The principal parties in these outrages are "Walker Parahuka" "Paia or William King" "Rua tapu" "Piri Turuke or Cape" and "Manutai or Campbell" - Master Piri has ever been an annoyance to the Europeans, he is a pure N. Z. savage, extremely selfish covetous and overbearing. Ispeak from twenty years experience and having had a man located with him (trading for flax) for some time (in byegone years) I may be allowed to know something of his character. Lazerous says parties who have hitherto opposed parting with this district to the Government will now be inclined to the measure as the only means of preventing bloodshed - he will I believe write to you on these matters. Will you advise me how to act? had I not better memoralise Sir George Grey on the part of the Europeans resident here? it appears plainly to me that either the Government must obtain the lands here or we must leave. Written agreements with the Natives here are useless except as binding the Europeans, the Natives appear to look on us as holding our property for their use and benefit. I Will see David at Turanga Nui ere I close this and will give you his ideas on the subject in the interim permit me to subscribe myself. Very faithfully, J.W. Harris. D.McLean, Esqr., Ahuriri. I enclose you a letter from Lazerous for his Excellency he requests me to state it contains one for you he wishes you to take yours and forward the one to the Governor in Chief - may I hope you will use your influence to obtain a speedy answer for him?