Ngamotu 16 February 1851 Friend, McLean, Greetings. My affection for you continues even after you left to organise the parts of land at Rangitikei and left behind us and the Pakeha living in our settlement, and then went off to Ahuriri, with your young ones, Wepiha, Te Haeana, and all the people who accompanied you to that place. Young man, I continue to wait to have you in my presence. The bad news came to us that you had overturned in the Ahuriri river, and I continue to look for your love and [to express] our love for you. For us, when a parent dies, the children wander aimlessly about, bereft of their old one: 'What of the love that wells up, is it possible to hide it?' Sir, McLean, your letter has come to me about your travelling around to make arrangements at those places, and to see the advantages of the people there and the chiefs who have made plans from the discussions about the Tauranga land. Our friend, Te Kani-a-Takirau, will return to our disputed land. Although there is no dispute now, there was trouble when you were away but it has ended. The soldiers have gone back, and the remaining trouble is that of Te Waka, but it will soon enough be settled when you come here. I recall our words earlier, you and I alone, that new people could come to protect us, that is, soldiers[?], because people in other places are not like us. The chiefs of this land do not take up with Pakeha customs, and as a result arrogant behaviours in the people and thieving increase. You should say to the Governor that when trouble arises here, we and the Pakeha will not concern ourselves with it; we are few and do not have the ability [to deal with] a major upset. That's all. From your very good friend, Honi Ropiha