Gisborne 23rd. April 1873. Dear Sir, I have just visited the coast. Ngatiporou are peaceful but a spirit of restlessness exists among them with a desire to agitate the slightest dispute into a quarrel of magnitude. Of course this is attributable to the state of quietism they find themselves in after so much field work. I had confidential conversations with Raniera Kawhia and Ropata both agreeing as to the unsettled state of the people generally. It is chiefly owing to this that I so anxiously desire to get the arms out of their hands as it is becoming the common expression "Ma te pu e Whakaoti" if the slightest difference arises. The old Iharaira has just behaved in a very praiseworthy manner. His son Hata threw an old man over a cliff nearly killing him. The old Iharaira awarded land as a payment despite the remonstrances of his people who wanted to pay in kind. Iharaira has claimed the oil springs and has stopped further dispute and purposes requesting Govt. to pass it through the court. The agent, Cooper who went up to negotiate for springs behaved in a most disgraceful manner. I send a letter from R. Kawhia received today. I have the honor to be Sir, Yours most faithfully, T.W. Porter, Adjt.