Matamata Sunday afternoon 28 Feb. 1869 My dear Sir, I have completed a week here in a Court about a claim which is supposed to contain gold, and it is not yet brought to a close. Last night a messenger came here with a letter from Captn. Clare to me stating that a Maori came from the Hauhau party and gave Bucklands men warning that a murdering party from Rewi was about to make a raid on this place or Cambridge. There is a large party of Europeans and natives here and as the roads are blocked up in consequence of the floods which are nothing to the Maori, they can make a grand haul of us if they come - the excitement of the panic is now over and the people have taken to rest while I write to say that it reminds me of the days of At the same time I wish to say that in case anything should happen to me I remind you that you are one of my executors and I am rather uneasy about a will which is made out and all correct as to legal forms but I intended to alter it before leaving and did not. The only thing I wish is that my property at Kaipara should be given to my sister Ellen who you know, instead of Julia, who is in Melbourne, and £500 or more as you think reasonable be raised at once if necessary and given to the latter. Everything else to remain with Ellen while she lives and to fall back to Julias children after her death. Everything else is square. I hope you will continue to write - What a horrible murder that was of poor Mr. Whiteley It is said here Rewi is at the bottom of it. He rubbed red ochre on the faces of some of his people which of course means blood. Hence the murders. I wish I was back again once more. Fenton told me that Monro and myself were commissioned to settle the poverty Bay Land question and said I ought not to meddle with it but if all goes well I'll do what you say in the matter. What do you know of Mr. Ogilby and the ladies I like them very much They are next door neighbours of ours at Mt. Albert - Mrs. C- the wife of the R.M. Napier was there, came over to our place, wanted to put up there, was quietly turned out wanted to go over to Kaipara to me and wanted £2.0.0 etc. but I could not see it. I am glad she is away from Mount Albert, has Curling deserted her. Shall I pay her passage back to Napier or not. I shall write again if I get back all right. Yours very truly J. Rogan Sunday afternoon at Mount Albert all right. This was over taken by me on the road back. I shall make inquiry about the money business when I go to Auckland tomorrow. I send this on to show you the humour of war in Waikato.