Heretoa, July 28th, 1847. Dear Sir, If you will excuse the familiar term, and perhaps I can use it as honestly and as sincerely as others, we have long been looking for you down this way, but looking in vai-am rather troubled about your Tent, which you left when last at Patea. My Better Half told me that you left word for it to remain until you either came yourself, or sent word respecting it, hence it has remained until now, have you not been in want of it, or are you not - shall I send it up by a Native - if you will have the kindness to let me know, your wish shall be promptly attended to - we are in perfect quiet down this coast, all is going on sweetly (at Wanganui things are much as usual, we can guess how things will end there - but when - this is beyond our comprehension). And allow me to remain, Your very Humble, and devoted Servant, Wm. Hough. David Maclean, Esqr. Ngamotu. P.S. After sealing this a Letter arrived here from Mr.Watt of Wanganui stating that last Tuesday Week, the Soldiers went out to try their hands in earnest with the Rebels, but were worsted, the Rebels were more than a match for them, and they were obliged to retire, or retreat, with two killed and six wounded, one of whom is since Dead. Mr. Watt states that the failure was entirely the fault of the Commanding Officer, but Civilians are not the most competent judges in these matters. He says that the Soldiers are well able, and very anxious to give the Rebels a good drubbing, but their Officers wont let them - when they go out to fight, and come to pretty close quarters, and are expecting orders to charge, a retreat is invariably sounded (strange if true) - the following Morning the Rebels came down upon the Town, and challenged the soldiers out to have another fight, they however did not choose to accept the challenge, the Rebels are now gone up the River to plant their food and when that is accomplished they say they shall come down and fight it out.