As I intend writing you more at length by the next mail, I shall on this occasion content myself by simply stating that we are on the eve of trouble, and that, allow me to assure you, of such a universal and combined nature, that the very thoughts of the future fill our breasts with sorrow and regret at what is awaiting us in the womb of Providence.

It is now beyond doubt that a powerful concentrated force has been for some time going about and secretly destroying those sacred attachments and devotions to Christianity, and what is still more, those ties of regard and goodwill which always existed between the Natives and the European settlers of this district.

The King movement was only a shadow compared to what has taken place with the Pai Mariri devotees, a newly introduced system of superstition, extending its influences through Taupo and the whole district of the Bay of Plenty (not including the Arawas) and lately introduced from Taranaki.

In my last communication I hinted to you that a portion of the Ngaiterangis had embraced this horrible and detestable faith.

My having facilities of obtaining information which few have, caused me to unfold to your readers the objects which those infatuated people are proposing to accomplish: for in fact they are now become perfectly mad from the effects of the Pai Mariri fanaticism, and the assurances of victory they are expecting from Te Hoi and his disciples. The religion which they had hitherto, both Roman Catholics and Protestants, is now totally set aside, and nothing can be performed without first using the Pai Marire as a pass-word which, they are led to believe, protects them from all evil.

This is a lamentable fact, which every true friend of the Maori race must look upon with sorrow and regret, for no one can doubt but that it will, if not averted, produce their utter destruction.

Christmas Day is a day that will long be remembered in Tauranga. Instead of being a day of rejoicing it proved a day of sorrow and grief, the results of which time alone will be able to unfold, for it was on this memorable and sacred day that we became for the first time acquainted with the extent to which this vile serpent has spread his ravages in this neighbourhood. Early on Christmas morn three Natives came across from the Matapihi settlement with their horses.

On their arrival on the beach, I enquired from them as to where they were going; to which I received an evasive answer. In fact I saw considerable hesitancy in their minds, which led me to believe that a movement amongst them was contemplated; for on Christmas eve Mr Burns, who is in charge of one of Mr Heale ’ s surveying parties at the Puna, had arrived in Camp with intelligence of his Natives having left him and having joined the Pai Marire fanatics, and having actually gone to the mountains. This fact, combined with the absence of Mr Rice from the Camp, who is always ready and on the alert night and day, keeping a close observation on all that is passing within his district, led me to surmise that these Natives, two of whom were receiving pay from Government, were seeking or conveying messages to