Wanganui Jan. 10th. 1857. My dear Sir, I arrived here a few days ago from Taranaki and the treatment I have received from the Natives on my journey across induces me to address you from this place begging your interference in behalf of those who may in future travel this line of road. I started from Taranaki on 29th. Dec. on company with another person and got on our journey tolerably well until reaching the ferry at Patea (which is removed five or six miles inland from the old crossing place) where the Natives demanded upwards of double fare, which we refused to pay being unwilling to establish a bad precedent, and rode up the river side for some distance in search of another crossing place and not finding one we determined on swimming our horses across at the mouth of the river, but in passing their Pah named Te Awhi, we were stopped by a parcel of scoundrels who told us they would not allow us to cross at any other place than the one mentioned. The night becoming dark, we were obliged to remain at their pah, and were ordered into a small dirty hut, which was soon filled up by about thirty Maoris who grossly insulted us, and whose conversation was how they could extort money from us, which they certainly carried out in the morning by securing my horse and demanding £5 for its release alledging that I was that amount in their debt for the keep of nine (9) head of horses for seven days on their bush grass. I told them the horses alluded to were not mine but belonged to Mr. Brown of Taranaki and to whom they ought to apply for payment. The Rev. Mr. Taylor happening to pass on his way to New Plymouth, pointed out to them the absurdity of the charge and illegality of detaining my horse for a debt which I had nothing to do with made no impression on them and I was obliged to send a cheque by that gentleman on the owner of the horses for the amount they demanded before my horse was released. This is not the only outrage committed lately by the same tribe, about ten days ago they seized a horse belonging to a person passing with cattle to Taranaki, alledging as an excuse that he had driven away and sold in Wanganui one of their cattle which was a Now if means are not adopted soon by the Government to punish those natives and compel them in future to allow travellers to pass unmolested, the communication between the two settlements must cease. I have talked over the matter with Mr. Wicksteed who is now editor of the Wanganui paper and pointed out to him the great necessity of preventing a repetition of outrages which could be accomplished in my opinion by ordering the two Police Magistrates to meet each other halfway across and get the principal chiefs on the line to establish say five places near some of their pahs where cattle or horses could stop for the night, paying the Natives a reasonable price for each animal --- they would require to put up a small paddock at each place of 5 or 6 acres which would require to be sown with English grasses furnished to them by those in the habit of travelling that way. I am of opinion the Natives would readily agree to this proposition, if they were told in the event of their refusing that the Government would be under the necessity of establishing Europeans at different places the same as on the line from this place to Wellington. I trust however that something will be done soon, and as you know better than I do how to arrange it, I hope you will give it your early attention. Your friend Capt. Campbell and perhaps Miss Campbell will return with me to Taranaki and glad should we be if you carry out your intention of visiting Taranaki soon and meet us all there. If you promise to come I will give you another dance and plenty of scotch reels. Dr. Wilson told me before leaving home that he fully expected you and I trust you will not change your minds. As I will leave this in a couple of weeks you may address to me at Taranaki. I remain, My dear Sir, Yours very truly, P. Emlay.