Camp Tuparoa Te Wairoa June 14th. 1866. Bear Sir, I am afraid that I shall not be able to get down to Napier in time for the opening of the Provincial Council. Major Fraser left here in the P.S. Sturt for Poverty Bay and Waiapu on Sunday last, leaving me in command of the Colonial Forces stationed here. His return is rather doubtful, unless the Sturt is under orders to return via the East Coast. Your letter to Major Fraser was not in time to catch him, and the only information that he has about the meeting of the Council is the paragraph in the Hawkes Bay Herald to which I called his attention. The notice I had of his determination to proceed to Waiapu was so very short that I had no opportunity of getting written leave, verbally however he said Whether this would be sufficient to warrant me in taking such leave is rather puzzling, and might be of serious consequence to me should anything unforeseen occur. If this reaches you in time to catch any of Kopu's or Ihaka's natives returning you would greatly oblige me by sending me some instructions with regard to this matter. I could start from here at any moment and be in Napier within 24 hours. Everything here is quiet and orderly; the township looks very thriving, fencing and house building seem to be the order of the day. The high prices obtained at the last sale have given a start to the whole didtrict. Everybody here seems delighted that the people of Napier and district have shown such marked respect to Kopu and Ihaka during their visit. Their loyalty is deserving of it, and I for one feel confident that any tribute paid to such men as these tends to one object only and that is the advancement of both races of Her Majesty's subjects in the Colony. I am my dear Sir, Yrs faithfully, Wm. A. Richardson. Donald McLean Esq., Supt. Hawkes Bay.