Maketu - Oct. 13/65 My dear McLean, I received yours of the 13th. of Sept at Tauranga but have had no opportunity of reply until now. I fancy you have been in more frequent communication with Opotiki than we have and will have all the news from that place. They had a second edition of Orakau there the other day on a small scale. What a pity Kereopa got away. The Arawa have been for 6 weeks past watching Te Hura and his people who occupied a strong position at Te Awaote atua. The latter bolted inthe night of the 10th. and it is not known for certain where they are. I believe all the Whakatane murderers are with this party. The Arawa will I believe follow them up before they have time to fortify another position. There is a shrewd guess as to their whereabouts. In the various skirmishes the enemy have lost some 12 or 15 men the Arawa only two the latter have not undisputed possession of all the country between Te Aweote atua and Whakatane. The Ngatipukeho have been over to Opotiki to make their submission and take the oath of allegiance. I think matters were concluded with them a little too hastily. If I had been consulted in the matter it would have been more satisfactory. However I hope the newly assumed profession of loyalty will last. It is said that Te Uhi a great scamp belonging to this tribe has been given up and taken to Opotiki. I hope this will prove true - Uhi has been at the bottom of all the mischief in that part of the country for many years. I hear old Rogan went down to Napier the other day. Please remember me to him if with you. I should like to hear you and him chatting over old times - enjoying a laugh occasionally at the expense of "new brooms" - new theories - new experiments! The New Zealand "broth" will, no doubt, reflect great credit on the various amateurs who have stirred it from time to time and they are all too clever to spoil it. Pray drop me a line as you have the chance - I will do the same. Faithfully yours, Thos. H. Smith. The Hon. D. McLean Esq.