Turanganui December 13th. 1868. My dear McLean, On receipt of your letter I sent off to Captains Tuke and Gascoigne to get Despatches from them on the subject. These I will forward you by next steamer as both gentlemen are out at Colonel Whitmores Camp on duty and cannot get leave to come in. The report is without foundation that Ngatiporous retired through any negligence on our part in keeping up supplies. 12 kegs of ammunition were up in the Ngatiohungungu Camp. 6 miles from Ropata's position, when the message arrived for Mr. Gascoigne to forward ammunition. Being night, there was no one would obey the order to carry it on to the front. It is not difficult to understand the positions when explained. Ngatiporou divided into two Divisions when about to attack the enemies last position. One under Hotini beat a retreat, the other under Ropata gained the outer entrenchments of the pah attacked, and remained in them all night. I am not in the secrets of our K.O. Yours very faithfully Chas. Westrup. Donald McLean Esqr.