4. Letter from Wi Parata, M.H.R.
(Translation.)
To Dr. Featherston.
Friend and father, salutations! Great is my affection for you. Although your body is so far away, when your letters reached us and we read them it was just as if you were present.
Although the ocean is so broad, the affection of the heart and all affairs of importance will still go over to you.
I have received the letter which you addressed to us on the 28th March.
Friend, great was our rejoicing when we saw your letter and read your words of greeting to the tribes whom you had left behind. The fidelity of your native tribes to their absent chief has not diminished.
Friend, good indeed are your words of congratulation about the restoration of peace in this island.
Friend, during the month of March that is past I travelled through the disturbed districts of Ngatiruanui and Taranaki, and I saw all the people, both good and bad. I had interviews with all the chiefs of these tribes. I saw Titoko-Waru and Wiremu Kingi and Te Whiti also, and they all talked with me. The burden of all their speeches was this, that they would give up fighting and bring all their grievances to the General Assembly,
Wiremu Kingi also said that he would leave Waitara[1] in my hands to be dealt with by the Assembly.
I tell you this in order that you may know the mind of your former friends who have now returned to their allegiance. If the lands[2] which have thus been placed in ray hands to be dealt with by the Assembly should be always held back, then your good wishes for this island will be void.
Friend, it is right that you should bring this desire of the Taranaki, Ngatiruanui and Ngatiawa tribes before the Parliament
