Sep. 1/56 My dear Sir, The native meeting took place on Wednesday last, instead of the previous day when I met Mr. Whitely and Mr. Ironside at the Ninia, and terminated with a decision to cultivate the land in the neighbourhood of the Ikamoana for the purpose of drawing Katatore out of his pa. The proposed ritenga kohuru was overruled and I find that Ihaia te Kirikumara the most vehement in his endeavours to carry it, would infinitely prefer burying the past in oblivion and settling quietly down at the Mamaku. Thus much for what is commonly denominated "bounce". I am sorry to say that Arama Karaka's days are numbered - he is sinking fast, another of the many victims to superstition. Aid and advice are equally thrown away upon him, the uniform reply being Kei te Kai Mahi te whakaaro. What variations will follow after his death I am not able to say. Old Rangi Kapuoho is said to be dying and his wife is much in the same way. A singular fatality has suddenly overtaken that family which promises to become extinct. Pumipi, who until lately warmly supported Katatore's cause, although he was ill at the time of the murders, is dying and will be a great loss to Katatore. Some native rumours are afloat about the Ngatiruanui's threatening to return here unless peace is extended to Katatore. Another is that a large meeting of southern natives is to take place at Whanganui for the purpose of putting an end to our native quarrel, both however require confirmation. There is a Ngapuhi native at Waitara, named Tiki Ku, instructing the natives there in the art of making powder. He is promised, I am told by natives, £100 for every man he succeeds in teaching, when cash becomes short, cattle are to be given instead. There is another man at Taranaki shewing the natives there how to make it, but what remuneration he is to have has not transpired. He watched a sawyer making it at Whanganui and it is astonishing how well it is turned out for a beginning. You will probably have heard of the run upon missionaries for sulphur to cure hakihaki which was never known to be amongst natives before. After a time I expect they will turn out a very good sample and under all circumstances perhaps it will be as well that they should. On Thursday last the natives in the "Tima" and "Ninia" pas went outside and exchanged a few rounds at safe distance to establish each others invincibility and then went to dinner. If W, Kingi could be induced to insist on a surrender of the land seaward of Mangataranoho, containing about 1500 acres, in which after all that can be said Katatore merely holds a common interest, I think matters might be arranged without further child's play or distant interference. Hoping you are well and that you will remember me to Rogan believe me, faithfully yours, H. Halse. Sep. 1 1856.