To the Editor of the Sawke's Bay Serlad. Sir, — The lawless and overbearing conduct of the Native Chief Te Hapuku in reference to the works on the Te Aute road, increased as it has been of late to a great degree, renders it necessary that the people of Ahuriri should earnestly call on the Government to execute the law against him. like any other person that offends against it, and by vigorous measures to repress the insolence of this man, and teach him a due respect for the au thority he has set at defiance. Your readers will naturally enquire, 'How stands the case ? and how can this be done V As I have been credibly in formed, I believe the case is' this : that Hapuku has offered obstructions, more or less, in every case where he could, since the works were com menced — though he had formerly given his con sent to the road being taken this way, — and prin cipally with a view of extorting extravagant pay ment for whatever materials were required from him, or for services that he was asked to render. But it is in regard of the timber required for the ' bridges on the road that his conduct has been the worst — seeing, that after he had been liberally paid for it he refused to let it go, unless further I exactions are submitted to ; and through his means it is quite likely that the road may be im passable during the coming winter, for want of one or two of those bridges, which would otherwise have been completed before the- winter set in. And what answer does Mr. Commissioner Cooper, J. P. &c, &c, give to complaint^ of the engineer, about him? — if we can believe common reports. He has advised Mr. Grill to remove the party over to the Middle Road, and abandon the Te Aute road for a -while. That isj to let Te Hapuku act. in defiance of all laws, and to wait till it is his good pleasure to permit the works to be again proceeded -with. I hope Mr. Cooper will afford' some explanation of this ■matter, as the common report is very damaging to him, — and for. 