Alexandra 31st Jany. 1870 My dear Colonel, I had a visit from Hetit on Friday and a letter from him today -- He was at Kuiti with Te Whereo when the news came in of Te Kootis escape from Kemp and party, and Manuhiri was there and laughing said it was a great farce to send a lot of ''Flax cutters'' to fight a soldier like Te Kooti -- I suppose he applies the terms Flax cutters to the militia -- Lewis tells me that lately the King party have become more insolent in tone and defiant in attitude than he has known them for a long time -- Manuhiri refuses now to take the money Mr.McLean had so much trouble in getting for him, it appears that some of the most turbulent spirits heard of Manuhiri's windfall, and said to him, ''You are a very nice man to issue a proclamation that we are not to lease or sell land or have anything to do with the Pakeha, and you are the first to break the law and take money as rent from the Government'' -- So the old fellow is in a and refuses to take the money -- Hetit sent me a Telegram from Manuhiri to Mr. McLean stating that we should cease following Te Kooti, and asking the Govt. to disband the Field Force now in pursuit -- A pretty cool piece of impudence to say the least of it -- He has also written to Firth today to use his influence with Mr.McLean in getting him to withdraw our Forces and allow Te Kootissettling down quietly!! Hetit asked Manuhiri what action he would take should Te Kooti seek refuge in their Territory, he said if he comes here he is my man, which means that he will protect him -- means also by implication that they would resist any attempt to follow Te Kooti into their Country -- Te Kooti's escape is a great misfortune, and will lead to further complications the end of which it is difficult to predict -- As for Tahio himself he is a drunken sensual fellow, and has lost all influence with the natives. Authority is divided between Rewi and Manuhiri, and I am sorry to say that both are supporters of Te Kooti -- Marino the Chief of Tuhua was on his way with 25 of his followers, the other day to join Topia and had got as far on the way as Wharepapa, when Rewi met him and ordered him to return at once. It appears that Te Kooti had killed and eaten all Marino's stock at Tuhua, and he is very bitter against him -- and says that he will march through the Pakeha's Country to join Topia -- my latest information leaves Te Kooti in a small belt of bush skirting the Eastern bank of the Waikato, called Te Waata. On the opposite (this side) of the River is a dense Bush running many miles to the South -- From all I can learn he could reach Tekangamutu in two days from his present position -- Hetit states today in his letter to me that Reihana, Te Kouko, and Netere -- The White Cliff murderers -- and their people, about 200 strong are now mustering at Tokangamutu, but for what object he is not aware -- Hetit and his sons are very useful in this crisis, one of them is stationed at his Father's place and I have the other here, so that in case of emergency our communication is rapid and certain -- I do not apprehend any attack from Te Kooti, on Waikato, as he is very careful in not giving any cause of offence to the King party, well knowing that if they turn against him his game is up -- Hetit tells me that he has been supplied with ammunition by Te Hira from Ohinemuri -- and also that he is rather short of Capes etc. -- I have given the men here as much time to get in their crops, as possible, having drill at 6 in the morning, but I insisted on every man being in the Redoubt at night -- The settlers have not suffered very much inconvenience -- I suppose you feel Camp life rather strange after so long a spell in Quarters -- I expect to hear of Te Kootis movements on Tuesday -- Believe me Very faithfully yours John D.Hill