Kawhia April 8/45 My dear Sir, Yours of April 3rd has just come to hand and the Post man is waiting to start I can only therefore say in general terms that all is peace here and all are peacably disposed both towards the Europeans at Auckland and N. Plymouth. I have no idea that you will be molested from this quarter nor yet from Heke or the natives in the North nevertheless I think it well that you should be prepared and as there has been a sad misunderstanding between the Mokau and Taranaki natives you may make that a pretext with your resident natives lest they should become excited with the idea that the preparations for defence are preparations to destroy them. Tell them you are preparing against the Waikato or Heke and though you may thus secure their sympathy and good feeling yet I would not have them to take part with you in the business for we dont yet know what effect the new state of things in which the natives are placed will have upon them. I hope by the Mail you will hear all you need and wish from the north and as I am pressed for time you must excuse me adding more. Yours in haste, J. Whiteley Mr. McLean