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English
Turanganui Apl.22, 1872 My dear Mr. McLean I hope you will not be disgusted with the subject of my present communication. It is the case of Wi Haronga. I think I have explained to you on a former occasion that Wi Haronga was without doubt the chief owner of Makauri bush, and that during the length of time we lived at Waerengaahika we had to deal with him alone and that the money paid for trees invariably went to him and was principally retained by him though not entirely. Here then is the grievance. That bush with a tract of land in the neighbourhood has been passed through the land court, and it was represented to the natives at the time by designing Europeans that in order to make the land doubly sure the more names were put into the grant the better. But it was not explained to them that every person whose name was in the grant had an equal claim upon the block. Soon however the chief proprietors were undeceived because persons who had little or no valid claim were glad to dispose of their portion for a small consideration. There was a similar case with regard to the land occupied by Mr.F. Nelson, of which Henare Tomoana was principal claimant. I mention this case of Wi Harongas, with hardly an expectation that any thing can be done. But if you agree with me that injustice has been done in some of these cases, not by the blame of the Government but through want of foresight into the difficulties which have since chewn themselves I doubt not but that you will gladly use your effort to have a remedy provided if it can possibly be done. Believe me, Most faithfully yours W. Waiapu

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