and prevent any further recourse on the road to Mokau, as the land was his, and entirely under his control. From the very unfriendly and independent tone of his letter, I have discontinued any further correspondence with this Chief; till Your Excellency became fully aware of the whole merits of the case. On the return of the Mail Carrier from Auckland, he was detained two days on the North side of the Mokau River; where a shirt and handkerchief were forcibly taken from him, for not observing the Tapu. Being apprehensive of this detention, I wrote to Waitara, a Chief of considerable influence at Mokau, requesting him to use his exertions in passing all travellers; and have pleasure in observing to Your Excellency that this Chief, on receipt of the letter, immediately went with his followers a distance of 25 miles, to meet the messenger; and though he met with considerable opposition from Taonui's son, who came to guard the road at Mokau, he still persevered in seeing him beyond the Tapu in safety. From the anxiety that prevailed respecting the non-arrival of the Mail Carrier, by the advice of Capt. King, and for the satisfaction of the settlers generally, accompanied by Mr. Webster, one of the Magistrates, and Postmaster, we went to meet him; but were glad to find, that through Waitara's exertions, he was within a day's journey of this place, accompanied by one of his natives to guard against interruptions on the road; who brought a letter expressing his disapproval of the continuance of the Tapu; and recommending me to be careful in advising both natives and Europeans against passing that way in future. As an acknowledgement of Waitara's good behaviour, I sent him a hlanket and some tobacco, with the enclosed copy of a letter, thanking him for his assistance. (Signed) Donald McLean. Protector of Aborigines. Western District. . Go my letter to the McLean and the Turton, Friends, wishing you both well. These are my words to you respecting my curse, the straight way respecting my curse is that you all pay for it. The Europeans and all the natives that you may remain in quietness at your places. Friends, this is my word to you all. Let me have quantities of goods, of money, of cattle, of Greenstone, of guns, of blankets also. This will be right for all of us. Friends, let your consent to my words. Taonui has left all the thoughts to me on this subject. I have given my thoughts to the McLean; and they are the good thoughts for all of us. Friends, be attentive to my words. Give great payment for my curse. It has never been done before. Taonui has never been cursed by any other tribes. ''Pihi'' and ''Rehu'' (Waikato Chiefs) are the only ones that have been cursed; but this is the first time for Taonui. Therefore I give my words to you all. I am desirous to adopt the right ways of the Europeans. Some time past we have had bad ways. Now we have the good ones of the Europeans. These are all my words to you, from your loving friend, (Signed) Te Kuri.