New Plymouth March 1, 1856 My dear Sir, You will be sorry to hear that Raumoa is dead, he was taken ill last Wednesday and expired the following evening. All quiet here. A case of alleged crim.con. is pending between Meri Paneta and Tipene (Policeman) which may terminate any way. The charge is denied by Tipene and the only evidence against him is the worthless woman herself. Young Tawara has been committing himself with the same woman and much ill feeling exists against him. I foresaw trouble from his idleness & manner of dress and induced him to return to Auckland by the last steamer, he went on board but to my surprise returned in the last boat and told me that Major Nugent (who was n board with his wife and family) advised him to do so! He has gone off into the bush to get out of the way - perhaps he attachs importance to the threat of Ihaia te Kiri Kuru and who makes nothing of threatening the lives of people since his affair with Ngatiruanui. I saw this boaster yesterday on my return from Mangati to recover a pick stolen by a Mokau women, calling my attention, he drew a revolver from his blanket with which he intended to shoot Tipene and Tawara, seeing that he was surrounded by women and desired to make a display at my expense I cut him short just as he commenced capering greatly to his disgust. His intention is, I believe, to break as many laws as possible in order to provoke Government for refusing to supply him with arms and ammunition and probably for sticking him off the list of assessors. Hoping you are well, believe me faithfully yours, H. Halse. P.S. Just heard that Tawara is off to Ngatiruanui where he has relations - I hope it is true H.H. Did I tell you in my last note that Karaka, of the Kaipokopoko, is dead? He was the man that our natives always maintained shot poor Rawiri. Henere (Puni) has fenced substantially from his pa to Reed's section which I was glad to observe. I called with the intention of firing "another gun" at him but he was not at home. Can you turn this circumstance to account with his supporters at the south.