Auckland April 12, 1867 My dear Mr. Maclean My son the Archdeacon has just arrived here and he tells me that in respect to the native lands at Turanga, he believes it is proposed to confiscate all on the left bank of Waipaoa river, theother boundary being Waimataa which is the main river of Turanganui. Now this block contains within it the entire property of Wi Haronga and Kahutias people Te Whanana Iwi and also that of Paratene Pototi and Ngaitawhiri who were the most consistent supporters of the Government, but it does not touch the land of Te Whanau a Kai and not much of Te Whanau a Mahaki and not much of Ngatikaipoho and Ngatimaru who have been the most troublesome. If such a course be followed, it cannot fail but that there will be much dissatisfaction among those natives who continued on the side of Government. One argument which I am told is advanced, is that it will be more convenient to have the land in a block. It is a question worth considering whether it may not be better to have the confiscated land scattered more widely, so that the English occupants may be more generally diffused through the district. Confiscation is intended as a punishment; then surely it should fall upon the heads of those who deserve it and not upon the innocent. The idea of giving land to the dispossessed friendly natives from that which is taken from the Hauhaus will not be found to work. In the first place the friendlies will be backward to occupy that land, and then the Hauhaus will hereafter give annoyance to them as being interlopers. I hope you will use your influence to secure the adoption of a more equitable course. Believe me to be Most faithfully yours William Waiapu