Putoko - Poverty Bay 26th. July 1866. Donald McLean Esq. Dear Sir, I have at last been enabled to transmit to you, the long looked for Native Petition - it reached me from the Coast, on 16th. inst., so that you will observe it has not been delayed here. You will notice they have taken "Taumata o Apanui" as the extreme nothernmost limit of the district proposed to be annexed, altho' they were most distinctly given to understand that "Whangaparoa" was to be that point. There are in all 1429 names attached to the petition. On the coast, the matter was managed by Ropata Waha Waha here, it was in the hands of Wi Pere, and I must say both performed their parts well. The Auckland Government have still got their agent, Mr. Henry Rice, stationed here. The Messenger who went from here, bearing letters to "Anaru Matete's" people at Ruatahuna has not yet returned, but is daily looked for. Old "Raharuhi" has agreed to hand over to me, a , which he expects to have from Anaru Matete immediately that he receives it. Raharuhi tells me he he is quite certain the united Hau haus will make a descent on this district, so soon as the Summer sets in; but says they are sure to send him before they come, and that the messenger will arrive here at night - at any rate, he agrees to communicate to me all information that may reach him - no doubt his motive is a selfish one, still it may be well to take advantage of it, and with this view, I have advised him strongly to the course proposed, as the only likely means of retrieving his lost position. Some of the "friendlies" are, I think, not to be depended on, for instance such men as Wi Rangi whai tici and Te Matenga, Tamihana I believe to be loyal and I have watched him narrowly. Leasing Hau hau lands still goes on, in spite of the deed of cession. Mr. Westrupp, late Captain of Forest Rangers, has got a lease of all that fine run, extending from "Arai" and "Rakau Kaka" right dom to the hills above Whero Whero - much of this run is fine, flat, arable land - and at least one half of it is owned by hau-haus, such as "Ani Waka" (daughter of the late "Waka Pera Huka") Waka Parahnka and many others. I believe Mr. Westrupp has paid the natives £50 advance on the first year's rent. The Natives here are in a state of absolute want, especially the quondam hau haus - one or two of those have actually died of starvation. They have nothing to exist on save the roots and the tops of the wild turnip - there is also a great scarcity of seed potatoes among them for next crop. I am, Dear Sir, Yours Most respectfully, J. Wyllie.