Wairoa Augt. 7/67 My dear Sir I am sorry to say that since I last wrote you, things are not looking quite so satisfactory here and although I do not apprehend any danger at the present time yet I certainly think that (making every allowance for exaggeration in Native reports) the Uriwera certainly mean mischief in the summer season whether the danger threatens this place or Turanga it is hard to say but I think the former. I have not said much about it in my official report as I do not like advancing opinions that I cannot satisfactorily substantiate but I certainly do not like the appearance of things just now. I think Te Waru means well if it is only on the grounds that he must be well aware that he cannot possibly better his position by being adverse to the Europeans, There is some report of his having written to Ngairo of the Wairarapa which I suppose you have heard of but I do not believe it. The Natives (friendly) are as you are aware somewhat jealous of the notice that has been taken of him by the Europeans and would not let a chance go by of saying anything detrimental to his character. Our people here and Nukaka way are all in good heart and just as ready again as they were before to have another turn at fighting should it be required. I do not place any more reliance on Tamihana and his friends than I did formerly and as far as Tamihana is concerned personally I distrust him completely. Paora te Apatu has been behaving very well and takes more upon himself than I ever thought him capable of doing and the Natives generally appear to look up to him much more than they did during Kopus life. As far as Magesterial business goes nothing could be more satisfactory I have had rather a large proportion of petty thefts and a few assaults the Natives themselves evidently thinking that owing to poor Kopus death they could by their little tricks with impunity, but I knew that decisive measures were best on such occasions and punished the offenders in every case very severely, very much to Ihaka and Paoras delight, and I must say with the most beneficial results. I am very glad to see that they are leaving off drinking. I rarely see a Maori nowadays in a state of intoxication. While I am on the subject I must call your attention to the fact that although court cases have increased certainly ten fold since I first arrived here my small Police force is curtailed to one solitary individual and it is simply impossible for one man to do all the duty more particularly as there are so many Maori summons to be served many of them to a consideraable distance. I wrote to the Inspector of Police you being absent, acquainting of the state of the case, I really do not know how I can possibly manage without Maori Policeman at least. I returned the week before last from Nukutarua everything is going on well down that way, Natives very industrious and doing well. Those two respectable individuals Bartlett and Happy Jack still continue to sell unlimited supplies of grog when they can get a chance but I cannot do anything with them, but it will cease I suppose bye and bye as it has done here. I intend writing you next week officially about the insufficient state of some of the ferried in the district, great complaints are being made about them. I have written to you very little for some time back as everything was going on, till a few days ago so very satisfactorily that there was really nothing worth troubling you about. I will take care however that you are fully acquainted with everything of importance that takes place from this time. I am my dear Sir faithfully yours S. Deighton.