Auckland 26th June 1869 My dear Dr. Pollen, Mr. Saml. Clarke who is now in Auckland was one of St. John's party that went to Opepe. He informs me that the day they left Galatea they saw the track of a native who must have avoided them - but reached the Fort the same day where he told his tale - which story Mr. Clarke obtained from the man when he returned to Galatea from that disastrous journey. The native's name is Matene. He is one of the Ngatimanawa taken prisoner by Te Kooti at Motumako in March last and he made his escape from Ahikereru on the 2nd or 3rd inst. Before he absconded he saw a large war party pass through Ahikereru en route to Taupo. It was commanded by a man named Karanama (Cranmer). Matene represented this man as being more of a Rangatira than Te Kooti, and able to punish with death. There was also a great priest and leader with them named Hohaia, I think. As Matene did not see Te Kooti with the taua he asked, where he was? and was told they had left Te Kooti at Waikare, but Matene thought they tried to conceal his death. Matene says the taua went on to Taupo under Karanema, without Te Kooti. He also heard their programme of proceedings - viz. To stay at Taupo and win over the natives of that place, - then to go to the King and win him over, this done they were to combine and attack Rotorua and Tauranga. Rewi is above Maungatautari in the Ngatiraukawa country - notwithstanding Searancke's report herewith forwarded - we really do not know what Rewi is about. I have not reoccupied the redoubt at Rangiriri yet, as I think it would be premature to do so, and Moule agrees with me. I do not think a hostile movement possible while Rewi is trying to negotiate with the Arawas. Meanwhile I am holding Te Wheoro over pending further intelligence. Paora Tahaere called lately with the northern chiefs Mongonui, W. Pomare, W. Katene, M. Tawhai, and Hori te Ngere was represented. Paora was spokesman and opened the business the burden of which was simply a request to be paid for the time they had spent on the late visit to Ngaruawahia. They knew very well that the pakeha custom was to remunerate all services rendered, and did I suppose they would be unrequited if they were pakehas? I asked what agreement was made about payment before they went? Paul looked rather blank and said ''there was no agreement.'' ''Then'' I said ''if you were pakehas there would be no remuneration.'' I told them they had gone as chiefs, just as chiefs had been accustomed to go on such errands since the time of their ancestors. They said that my first was a ''kupu kaha'' but my second had no force at all and that next time they would have a stipulation with Government before they went. I agreed however to mention the matter to you - and after some general talk they retired. By the way Saml. Clarke who was with Col. Whitmore at Ahikereru says the Arawas will not go out under him again. He, the Colonel, does not know how to manage them, or how to let them alone. Clarke is of opinion they are as true and good as ever , and even then they will be rather troublesome, he thinks. Fox has quite gone down in the estimation of the Arawa generally, and of his own hapu - Ngatipikiao - Such is S. Clarke's view and Mr. Gill at Tauranga writes the same to me Yours very truly, J. A. Wilson