Turanganui Poverty Bay December 1st. 1868. My dear McLean, You must excuse my not writing a private note last Steamer -- Towgood going up said he would tell you everything -- besides which I had very little time. Holt wanted me to show him about a little also Wilson. Your Volunteers deserve the greatest credit for the way in which they have turned out at a moments notice to do service in another province. I shall be able to mount most of the men and their services will be very valuable in escorting provisions, ammunition etc. to pa Tutahi. 10 or 20 pack saddles if they had come this morning would have been invaluable as I have had to change my plans considerably. The arrival of Ngatiporo yesterday morning at pa Tutahi put all here in good spirits and I start them this morning with as much provision as they can carry say -- 30 lbs per man which will give rations to the whole force for over 7 days. If the enemy is not beaten by that time you may depend they, the friendlies, will not do it at all. We have gained several little advantages since my last -- such as recovering 1000 rounds ammunition -- 50 horses -- 7 cases biscuit. From pa Tutahi to the frontis the difficulty -- and a great one it is without a pack saddle, having to keep 600 men supplied with rations -- there will be nearly 1000 friendlies up when the Wairoa contingent arrives. My reason for making Ngatiporou pack provisions is that I find it nexto impossible to get Natives to do the Escort duty -- partly fear I think -- part laziness. They dont see the force of taking rations, or escorting them for any Tribe but their own. From the Depot at pa Tutahi to the front, an escort of fully 100 men is required to render the line safe. No doubt we have an alert enemy, but with precaution, he cannot do us an injury -- and if he weakens his main position -- by sending out these Foraging parties -- our army will have the fewer to fight. I send the steamer by way of Wairoa to let them know that Ngatiporou did not go by Puketapu but by Te Rainga which left that approach to Wairoa quite unguarded. My plan, if carried out would have left the enemy little chance of attacking any but the invading force. We really dont require more than 200 Europeans here to keep open the line of road and for Transport service. If the Government expect to do with 350 Europeans what still remains undone with 1000 friendly natives in the field they are mistaken. Such a force however is highly valuable to keep our allies in heart and to show there are still signs of life in the European soldier. All routine you know is thoroughly hated by the Natives and I think I pointed out the actual necessity of having some Europeans in the field. Tuke is commanding at the Depot, where it takes a pushing officer like him to carry off orders with a high--hand. He has got 50 Europeans 50 Natives and the 24 pounder I feel sure of success if the enemy stands untill Ngatiporou get up. Lieut. Richardson I have asked to remain here untill I can get an officer or two about me. I have sent everyone where they are most usedul and therefore a great deal of work falls on my shoulders that a subordinate might do. He Lieut. R. will be of great service or I would not have kept him. Many thanks for your recommendation for promotion I should like to succeed first and get the promotion after. You must not let Whitmore come down here or there will be a fearful row. Not a Native will stir and the Europeans will duck him, for they look on him as being instrumental in guiding Ministers minds to the fact there was no cause for alarm on this coast when men capable of judging were as certain the other way. Very kind regards, Believe me Yours very sincerely, Chas. Westrup. Captain Bower who I have been expecting every trip has not arrived -- and I am rather thrown out.