Waiapu November 27th. 1868 My dear McLean, I am not writing to you officially by this mail, but I enclose a copy of one which I thought it my duty to send to the Government, by which you will see how we are going on here. Morgan has built a famous strong Pa; and we are all hard at work at the Redoubt, which, although not large, begins to look very formidable. I am certain that had it not been for the perfectly defenceless state this Coast was in all the Pas having been suffered to fall into a state of almost complete decay; and the necessity for a good many hands, to reconstruct them, a good many more would have joined your force at Turanga. By some carelessness or oversight on the part of the person entrusted with your despatch to me, containing Mr. Hamlin's instructions, I never received it till the steamer was under weigh on her return to Turanga. I had previously, however, begged of Morgan to send as many as he could possibly spare; and I think he did his best, but I know that several were opposed to many more going, for the reason I have stated. All are anxiously looking for news of your force, which has advanced from Turanga. How mush depends on them! We had word last week that Te Kooti was to detatch a force of 200 to come up the Coast, and secure all ammunition that they could lay their hands on. This, of course, created a good deal of excitement, for a day or two. There is so much uncertainty and surmise as to their movements. I hope you received my official and private note which I sent by the ''Ahuriri.'' Morgan and Mohi have begged me to ask you to send by the first opportunity, a small quantity of tin or corrugated iron to protect the ammunition from damp. I should like to get, if possible, a little revolver ammunition. Withers promised me some, but he was absent from Wairoa when I left. ever yours (Signed) J.H. Campbell.