M Maunder of Otumoetai is certainly ‘maundering' (talking in a rambling, foolish or meaningless way) when, in a recent letter to The Weekend Sun (November 9), he describes the British and colonial military as 'invaders and conquerors” when, as early as November 1831, the Northern Tribes had requested King William to provide assistance in establishing ‘law and order' in the land. This led to the Treaty and subsequently the arrival of British troops to support the government, colonists and Maori, and implement the Treaty. How can anyone invade one's own country?

It is more likely that the local tribes sold the land to the CMS to prevent it being invaded by other tribes.

That he makes his judgment of ‘Gate Pa and Te Ranga' after 'skimming the ‘new' book for 20 minutes” shows an unscholarly regard for research and invalidates subsequent comment. Somewhat ‘maundering'.

B Johnson, Omokoroa.