Ki te Karere Maori,—

Ko ta matou kupu tuturu, ki te kanohi o te Petatone me nga pakeha katoa o nga awa nei, ko te kupu tuatahi, e Takuta Petatone, e hara i te pupuri hou ta Ngatiraukawa i tenei taha o Rangitikei; no mua no Kawana Kerei raua ko te Makarini, na matou i ata whakahoki atu ko tera taha mo te hiahia o Ngatiapa, riro marama atu i a Kawana tera taha; mau marama iho tenei taha; muri iho ko Ma, raua ko Kawana Paraone, ka tohe ano a Herangi kia Ngatiapa, Kaore te Kawana Paraone i rongo ki te reo o Ngatiapa, whakaritea ake e au ko Manawatu ki tenei Kawana, ko Rangitikei kia Kawana Kerei, Kaore he kupu pena a era Kawana me rongo koe ki te reo o Whanganui o Ngatiapa, e he ana E ono tangata rangatira o te iwi nana i whakaputa aua kupu, Kaore he kupu utu a te Petatone mo enei kupu, ko te kupu eka eka o te whenua i utua tera, ko te Kooti whakawa i utua e ia, kaore te mana o era Kawana i whakahokia e ia ki te kupu whakahe ki te kupu whakapia ranei ko nga kupu hou tana i utu mai, ko te Kooti.

[Translation.]
To the Maori Messenger (Karere Maori.)

This was our fixed determination expressed in the presence of Dr. Featherston and all the Europeans of these rivers. This was the first word.

Dr. Featherston,—"This holding fast of Ngatiraukawa to this side of Rangitikei is not a new thing; it existed long ago, at the time of Governor Grey and Mr. McLean. We quietly gave up the other side (of Rangitikei) to the desire of Ngatiapa; that went in a clear manner to the Governor. This side was retained in a clear manner. After that time it was Mr. McLean and Governor Browne. Searaneke again urged upon Ngatiapa. Governor Browne did not hearken to the voice of Ngatiapa. I settled about Manawatu to this Governor, and Rangitikei to Governor Grey. There was no such word of those Governor's (as this of yours) if you hearken to the voice of Whanganui and Ngatiapa it will be wrong."

Six men, chiefs of the tribe, expressed these words. Dr. Featherston made no reply to these words. The word in respect of surveying the land— that was replied to. The words respecting the Land Court, he replied to. He said nothing either in praise of, or depreciating to, the decision of the other Governors. The words regarding recent measures (such as the Land Court) he replied to.

We gave expression to these words.