Hamilton 30th Jany/70 My dear McLean, I returned late from Cambridge on Saturday, I saw Taua, Nikora and other Hauhaus from Waihou, they would not give any opinion about our following up Te Kooti, but confined themselves to this if Tawhiao says we are to fight with you we will fight, but if he says remain quiet we will do so. Taua promised me to come back from Tokangamutu via Cambridge and let me know the result of his Mission to Tawhiao whatever it was, I have every confidence in saying that Tawhiao is favourable to peace and allowing Te Kooti to fight his own battle and Rewi is going round all the District telling the Natives to remain quiet and not give any assistance to the Kooti. My own impression is that Te Kooti will not retire into the Waikato District if any other route is open for him to retreat by. I shall not be able to move again for a couple of days as my Horses are all knocked up. I shall be in Auckland on the 1st March having a Supreme Court case when I presume I shall see you as there are at present several matters on which I am most anxious to see you, as I feel now very unsettled. Any more news I will send at once by Telegram. And am yours faithfully, William N. Searancke D. McLean Esqre, AUCKLAND.