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English (ATL)

Alexandra
20 March 1871.


Dear Mr. McLean,

I heard that there was to be a meeting of chiefs at Te Kuiti, so I sent Thompson up to see what it was at the same time I wrote a letter to Manu whiri asking him if he received a copy of the Book on growing tobacco which I sent to him many months since. I enclose his answer, While Thompson was there he (Thompson) told Manuwhiri about the saddles and things that were stolen at Kihi Kihi which Manuwhiri mentions in his letter, but before Thompson left this a Native Woman had been taken up with one of the stolen shirts on her, she belonged to the Wharepapa Natives. Mr. Searancke has tried the case today. If the meeting between the Waikato and Arawa could be turned into account by letting the Waikato see that in case of further trouble on the part of the Waikato the Arawa would invade the Waikato country it would be another blow to the now nearly extinct Kingiom, I know that the Waikatos are trying all they can to gain over to them the Arawa, which ought not to be allowed in any way. Do you not think if you could advise the Arawa to have their dividing boundary between them and the Waikato decided by the Native Land Court a political power would be gained over the Waikato, then to carry it out further still the Ngatituwharetoa could have their dividing boundary also passed through the Court, also the Ngatitumango on the Whangonui side of Taupo could have

their boundary passed through the Land Court which would in the act proclame that these tribes were now for ever out of the kingmount(?), also it would curtale the Waikato King Country into a very small extent not only so, but when Mr. Vogel has got the money, there would be land (through which the telegraph line is to go) open for sale, the purchase of which could not cause another war.

I have also been thinking that if you could get say 10 young chiefs of first rank to act as Native Policemen in connexion with the "armed constabulary" up here in Waikato some of them to be chosen by you and some to be recommended by Rewi and others. You could with such young chiefs take any Native no matter what his rank at once. As you will see if you had say Andrew Barton, Pungarehu, Tana Te Waharoa, Alick Thompson, and others, here you would have the power of the Ngatimahuta, Ngatitamainu, Ngatihaua, and Ngatimaniapoto tribes at your command so that if any one out of these tribes were to grumble at any of their people being taken prisoners, the answer is your own chiefs took you. In case of murder these young chiefs being of the first rank could go into any place and take the murderers and no fear of such young chiefs being stopped in their action. I wish I could talk to you instead of writing and could tell you all better than I can write as ever


Yours
John White.