Camp Te Hatepe Waiapu 20th. July. 1865 My dear Sir I have not written officially as Capt. Fraser has already done so, our Natives behaved very well yesterday but were kept back by Mokena who wished to draw the Rebels out. I hope you will not allow the ammunition etc. to be landed at te Awanui as it is unsafe and we have not men to spare to fetch it by the beach, I do not think there is any chance of landing anything today, but if the Eclipse cannot stay longer Captain Deck can land them here tomorrow that is As we have only one boat here I should be obliged by your insisting upon his giving us every assistance in his power. I think the loss on the rebel side must have been rather severe, several were seen to fall, I again had the pleasure of dropping one in the middle of the river at the commencement of the fight. I never say natives come on so boldy or so close as they did yesterday. Patana was very conspicuous in front of his men, some of our people think he was shot by Capt. Fraser but of course we shall not be able to hear the truth of the case yet - our own loss is slight, one killed and eight wounded, I should like very much to have seen you, but it is not safe for a European to go to te Awanui. I have detained a half caste lad (one of Emmanuels sons) prisoner on suspicion of being a spy and the first opportunity I have I intend doing the same with his father for giving false information to Capt. Deck with the view of inducing him to land the supplies at te Awanui knowing that the Hau Haus were about the place in all directions, I suppose if it can be clearly proved that he is a spy and has been siding with the Rebels, there will be no harm in shooting him. I heard accidentally the other day that a Mr. Hudson had been appointed schoolmaster at the Wairoa, if it is the case I should be obliged if you would let me go back for a few days, to arrange matters, otherwise my brother and family will be turned out of doors with no place to put their heads in, I shall be very willing to come back as soon as I have arranged affairs, Capt. Deck might land me there and pick me up again on his return, I would not ask it but that the case is urgent. I am my dear sir Faithfully yours S. Deighton. To:-- His Honor The Superintendent