New Plymouth November 20th. 1869 Dear Sir, There is no fresh news to report. Everything is quiet to the South, and I am expecting the leading men interested in the Flax work and wood work in at the beginning of next week. In my absence to Auckland, a report was got up to the effect that the natives who recently returned from the Chatham Islands were showing signs of disaffection towards the Government. I therefore deemed it my duty to visit them; which I did on Wednesday last, and am happy to be able to report that I found the accusation was utterly without foundation. I went on to Waihi with Stapp and Tuke, and slept at the camp, and came in the next day. The camp and the men had a most pleasing orderly appearance. I was very much pleased with the apparent influence of Major Brown, the Crimea hero, at the Camp. He is no doubt a thorough soldier, and his experience has been brought to bear upon the detachment of Constabulary at Waiiti. He really is deserving of your favourable consideration. We commence the Kaitaki survey on Monday. The road work will commence as soon as the carts have arrived for the tools to take them out. Yours very faithfully (Signed) R. Parris.