Monday 4th Sept. 1865 My dear Sir, The Steamer was obliged to go to Hick's Bay, so I write you these few lines to tell you that "Raniera" has been here withabout 120 of his men since Friday evening, I have got him to come up and live near us and as he returns today he intends looking out for a good place for a pa. As soon as he settles on one, and I can depend on having a large body of natives to assist me in the bush, I shall make some sort of an attack on the rebels, and if I can succeed in driving them out of their position I will cut them up like sheep. The natives here have a story that some Hau Haus have arrived from Hawkes Bay. The goods were landed at Awanui and we have had great difficulty in getting them up. Would you kindly give orders for my receiving a copy of Mr. Sutton's contract with Gov. and also a scale of allowances to men in the field. We shall want about 100 more blue shirts to complete the fighting men. We shall also want some oars as one was broken and two lost the last time the boat went off. Believe me, Yours very respectfully, James Fraser The natives gave us a war dance on Saturday and I purpose having a parade of all my men for them today in fact Raniera has remained to see them. J. F. Capt. Deare has been very civil on this occasion. J. F.