Rissington 15 Octr. 1866 My dear McLean James Newberry, suspected of various crimes, and also believed to be a deserter from the 65th Regt. came at night to me, ostensibly with a message from Mr.S.Williams, and knowing that he is an abominable character and at this moment the father of a great many rumours which keep alive the panic among the country settlers I send him to Town. He is accused of being too intimate with the Titiokura Hau Haus - and also of having warned those at Omaranui of our projected attack. At all events he boasted of this at Maneys Hotel on the evg. of the 11th. Most probably he may be identified as a deserter and so give good ground for detention. Till matters are settled here it is not safe to allow this man to go about I am convinced he is a double spy and if nothing else will serve as a ground for detention, he brought me a message, evidently fabricated, from Mr.Williams to say that the "natives now attacking Major Fraser were well backed up by the Waikatos". This refers also to a report brought me by Mr.Hamlin that Major F. was today attacked and had sent in to you for reinforcements which were to march at 5 P.M: fact being that Major F. marched today for Titiokura at 2 P.M. Capt.Birch promises to get evidence of Newberry's being a deserter fr. the 65th S.Williams should be stopped alarming people and fabricating stories which he must invent or repeat on no authority. Conceive his going about saying that it was a dangerous country, that the Enemy were is great force, that I had no plan, and only 17 men. Believe me Truly yours G. S. Whitmore Mrs. Whitmore expects you at Rissington. I am sorry to say, My hands let one of the fugitives slip through their fingers between Petane and this. G.S.W. Major F. sent in his prisoners yesterday - 2 2 were taken in action, 3 at Petane - These latter should I think be released if there is nothing new against them. In fact it is very doubtful to me if there was anything against them - but Fraser took them to prevent mistakes on the other side. You will find the statement of one in the information I collected for you I sent a note begging you to alter my despatch and order. There is no gully where I thought there was one but the hollow is an old roadway. With the exception of the name the facts are correct as it was in this roadway that they squatted and it was out of this they were turned by the Volunteers. Believe me Very truly yours G. S. Whitmore