5th. August 1854. My dear McLean, The Steamer not having yet called here, an opportunity is afforded me of writing to inform you of what I suppose Mr. Cooper has officially reported to you on. It appears that a tract of land, being a continuance of the Bell Block inland was offered by Rawiri and Poara with others for sale, when Cooper told them they must first cut the boundaries and Thursday was appointed for their doing so. Accordingly on the morning of that day Rawiri Paora and others together twenty three set off unarmed to cut the line when they were at the commencement met by Katatori and about twenty of his followers who deliberately and otherwise unprovoked fired on Rawiri's party killing four on the spot and wounding several more. Paora died yesterday, and Rawiri, (our assessor), is lying at the Hospital with very slight hopes of his recovery, there are 5 more at the Hospital wounded more or less severely. There has been no fighting since, but all sorts of rumours are afloat as to the intentions of the Maoris. From all I can hear the attack was a most cowardly and dastardly act as Rawiri's party went without arms, he telling them that the other party were their near relations and would not "kill" them. I do not see that the Europeans can be at all mixed up in this matter for the case divested of all extraneous matter stands thus Rawiri and party wish to sell land to the Government, to effect a sale they must exercise and shew a n act of ownership, in doing so they are opposed by Katatore and his party, and in the affray several