Auckland 27 Feby. 1867 My dear McLean I received your letter of the 25th at Tauranga yesterday, and thank you for your good wishes. I had hoped on Saturday last that we had completed our labours in the Field, but I now hear that the Hau Haus having been re-inforced are likely to return to the District, and I go back by the Steamer tomorrow, to remain at Tauranga until there is a fair prospect of peace. The Arawas have been behaving splendidly, and I have forced a much more favourable opinion of native assistance than I ever had before. they have been fighting in good earnest, as though they really liked the work - There is some mistake as to my having applied for Fraser and Biggs, which I am anxious should be set right, lest it should be supposed that I have been casting any slur on the officers at Tauranga, a considerable portion of whom are as brave and cool a set as I should wish to have under me, and they have given me unqualified satisfaction - I shall be glad to have McDonnell for the natives as Mair has only a small party of 40 or 50 under his control, there being some ill feeling towards him on the part of the remainder - The only request I have made about Fraser, was in the letter to you suggesting that he should go into the Uriwera country, if Opotiki was attacked. Will you take care that this is explained to Fraser and Biggs - in the midst of much business Yours very truly T. M. Haultain