Go to home page - Collections of the Alexander Turnbull Library | Manuscripts & Pictorial

English (ATL)

New Plymouth,
September 16th, 1863.


Dear Sir,

With respect to your having promised Wm. Thompson to remove the Troops from Waitara, I can only say that I was with you the whole time of the interview with him, and that no such promise was made in my hearing - What you did say was that if Waikato and the Southern tribes returned to their respective districts, that you would advise the Governor to remove the Troops from the places they were occupying in front of Te Arei and to pledge that W.Kings people should not be molested so long as they kept quiet. With reference to the Articles in the "Press" you will perhaps be rather surprized to hear that it is in contemplation to commence an Action against the "Press" for a libelous article which appeared in that Paper of a late number against poor Teira. The matter is taken up by some friends of Governor Browne who guarantee costs of the action. Whitakers opinion has been taken and he has pronounced the Article in question to be an actionable Libel - He would have conducted the case if tried in Auckland which can only be done by the Venue being moved there by the defendent who in all probability will prefer his own district, in which case Whitaker has recommended that Travers should be retained which was done by last mail for the South with instructions to initiate proceedings - Whitaker and Russell have both promised to render all the assistance in their power, but nothing must be said about this - You will I expect be subpoena'd as a witness and a great number besides and among them your humble servant and a number of Kiri pongos Te Teira ma and Ropoama ma, the latter returned by last Steamer in high dudgeon with the Kawanatanga for doubting the justice of their claims - Although Waitara has been given up King's people have commenced hostilities by planting ambuscades and killing Cattle and Sheep -

Langmans Son and two others fell into an ambuscade near Poharamas reserve on Sunday last. Langman was shot through the arm.

Yesterday the Troops planted an ambuscade at Oakura and knocked over several Natives - You will see all particulars in the Papers -

Excuse this hurriedly written epistle
Yours ever truly,
R. Parris.