Translation of Patara’s letter to Mr Chesson with a copy of Tawhaio’s letter to Mr Wilson, the engineer for the …

Whatiwhatihoe Alexandra
March 26th 1885

My friend Mr Chesson,

Greetings to you and to your friend and to your children. The Maori tribes and the chiefs are assembling at Whatiwhatihoe to listen to all Tawhearo has to tell them about your farewell to him and all your kind words to us. The tribes of New Zealand are looking to England to the land from whence comes all good.

This is all,

Whatiwhatihoe
Alexandria
March 23 1885

To Mr Wilson, Engineer of public works.

Greetings. Your letter has reached me, explaining to me when you desire to begin making the road and desiring me to send you some labourers to work on the railway. Thank you for your letter. This is my word to you. I told Mr Ballance to leave the business to me. I am very busy. I am going to the Bay of Islands at the invitation of the Ngupuhi chiefs. Sufficient.
From Tawhiao.

Friend Mr Chesson,

I hope you are well.
…
From Patara Tuhi Maioha