Napier, 11 May, 1865. My dear Sir George, I avail of an opportunity by the Egmont which sails today to state that the Chiefs of Poverty Bay have given a promise in writing that they will not interfere should war commence at Opotiki and that they will protect Europeans resident in their dist. A Copy of their letter will be forwd. by next mail. The Chiefs of te Wairoa have behaved admirably in resisting the Hauhaus who came from various dists. to make converts at the Wairoa the Hauhaus were between 3 and 400 in Number the friendly Natives 170. The Chiefs of all parties at Ahuriri profess friendship to the Europeans but it is not unlikely they may quarrel among themselves respecting some land and old unavenged feuds. It would have a good effect on this East Coast if one of the several Regts. now in N. Z. could be quartered here during the winter months - I have written officially to Mr. Weld on the subject. I remain, My dear Sir George, Yours faithfully, (Sigd.) Donald McLean.