New Plymouth May 10, 1860. My dear Sir, Having heard you are in Waikato, I write by the O.L Mail which leaves today to give you the latest from this place. The expedition to the South returned the 28 ultimo SO far as Tataraimaka where they encamped until Monday the 30th. when all but two companies came back to Town. The expedition consisted of 450 Troops, 150 Naval Brigade and 100 Civilians with 50 carts etc. etc. altogether rather an imposing demonstration, if we could but have had a brush with the rebels, and inflicted a severe chastisement. I confess I consider the expedition worse than useless for it has started a game the Natives can play quite as well us viz. burning and plunder - with chances very much in their favour for they can retaliate upon us an hundredfold. The week after we returned a party came up to Tataraimaka, but finding Some Soldiers there, they returned without doing anything. The old Pas at Wareatea, Tauamona, Mokotonu and Werea were all destroyed. Tauamona Komenes place, the Kainga was pulled down - the Mill rendered unworkable. The other places were all burnt. On hearing of the arrival of the Waikatos at Mokau, the Camp at Waitara was reinforced with 100 men making it now 300 strong. I leave tomorrow to go to meet the Waikatos North of Waitara - Mr. White is at the Camp. Wm. King sent a message to Te Waka, intimating his disapproval of the Waikatos coming down stating that if they persisted in taking up the quarrel with us that he should seperate from them and leave them to their fate. Singular feature in the old Bears character. The fact is he has not forgotten their antecedents. I am sorry to inform you, that the feeling between the civilians, and the Military has not improved since you left. A Pamphlet has just been published, said to the be the production of the Murray and Carrington clique which is not at all adapted to improve the state of things - a tissue of falsehoods. The Military are carrying things with rather a high hand. There is a sort of Detective force moving about picking up Civilians, who are heard to say anything disrespectful of the military, and walking them off to the Guard House - Gledhill for one. Hoping to see you soon. I am Dear Sir, Yours truly, Robert Parris.