Opotiki March 26th. 1872. Sir, I have the honor to inform you that a small party of Ngaitarangi from Tauranga are on a visit or Tangi to Maranui and Te Kato. I had been down the coast and returning on the 23rd. I called at Opape Te Ranapia told me that the Ngaitarangi had slept there that night one of the party Marsh Poipoi was recruiting for the King he told Ranapia that the King would have 2000 men in the Field before three months and that his Tribe Ngaitarangi would join and he urged all the Tribes to join to Fight the Europeans, I take the liberty of giving you this information knowing that this Marsh is playing a dangerous game even if idle talk. You will excuse this scrawl the Mail is just going. I am Sir your obt. servt. J.R. Rushton Lieut.V.M. The Honble The Native Minister, Wellington.