Gisborne 8th. Jany 1872. Dear Sir, Owing to length of time in the interior my correspondence has been very irregular. It was my intention to have written you by Luna from Whakatane and as it is I must refer back to them as several things occurred which at the time appeared as slights upon Ropata. In reply to message a Telegram was received from Mr. Ormond stating the steamer would be sent to meet us as requested taking supplies for the Urewera given as payment for consumption of their crops by Govt. forces. Accompanied by a number of Urewera we reached Whakatane 15th. ultimo the first three days there all the men got drunk upon the Kereopa reward and I was fully occupied in preventing fighting of a serious nature owing to the contact of so many tribes originally at enmity. On fourth day Ropata was sober and looking anxiously for steamer, threatening to march overland at same time remarking that if Govt. wanted him to go out instead of home they would send steamer fast enough. When steamer did arrive on 21 we were hurried over the hills to Onekawa accompanied by Urewera to receive their supplies and set us off. Nothing however had been sent and no reason assigned for not doing so. Poor Ropata felt disappointment very much and ashamed of the Urewera. I put him in countenance by blaming Capt. Fairchild (with his consent, of course) and obtained 1/2 ton of flour from Mr. Campbell which Ropata gave to Urewera to go back home with. Arrived at Mataahu the men were hurried on shore Fairchild threatening to run away if the canoes were not worked Ropata went off in last canoe while steamer was under way from what Ropata said to me I know he felt much hurt and remarked The work was done and that was all the Govt. wanted I felt very much annoyed at such a continuation of annoyances, of themselves nothing but occurring at such a time when men expect congratulations after ardous service on the contrary meet with apparent slights. I have given you these details dear Sir as you can best judge of their effect. Since my return I have been employed day and night preparing paysheets acts etc. of last service which has extended over seven months estimate will be rather heavy a little over £9000. I am about starting along the coast to pay some old balances advanced during my absence. I am waiting steamers return expecting some word from Mr. Ormond to Ropata as the latter told me to get steamer to call in for him and the two Urewera chiefs going to see Govt. A large Kaihaukai is to be held along the coast beyond Maraehea I shall endeavour to get there in time for it, as something may be said which I should hear. I shall go on to Napier after my return for purpose of taking down estimate and getting money for last service. If Luna is not coming up this way I will get a steamer to call for Ropata. I am Dear Sir, Yours most faithfully, T.W. Porter. Capt.