Poverty Bay 19 Novem. 1866 My dear Mr. McLean I was glad to get a letter from you at last but had rather have seen yourself. I hope it will not be long before you come as every day is of consequence. That fellow Rice is doing as much harm as he can. Is there no way of getting rid of him he is the most impossible man I ever saw in government employment. Everything is quiet here the Maoris very anxious to have affairs settled the Europeans are to have a meeting today to petition the government to take some steps as quickly as possible. The Maoris are also going to petition the government to the same purpose. Fraser tells me the Mil. Sets are to be located at the Wairoa shall I be moved with them? I hope not for I like this place very much now and have no difficulty with either Maoris or Europeans. What a glorious affair the defeat of the Hau Hau was in Napier everybody deserves great credit. The Maoris here could not make out where the soldiers come from as they had heard that all the troops were removed from the town but when they heard that all the shopkeepers etc. turned out to fight the Hau Hau they were much astonished. It had a very good effect upon them. Baker is better but not as strong as he ought to be he desires to be remembered to you Yours very truly Reginald Newton Biggs.