Tauranga, 22nd Sept., 1870. My dear Sir, I enclose a note just received from Sub Inspector Withers at Whakatane mentioning the unexpected arrival of another batch of Uriweras, also that Tamai Kowha is in communication with Marsh's people. Bad as this man is, I hope he will come in, as until he does the road between Whakatane and Opotiki will be more or less unsafe. I purpose starting for Opotiki tomorrow and will see what Tamai Kowha is about - Mr. Clarke returned yesterday from Kaiteriria and I have shewn him the note from Mr. Withers. You will have heard from Mr. Clarke that Captains Preece and Mair are out watching the outlets from the Uriwera country towards Taupo and Waikato - Their forces have been paid to end of last month and are now settled with regularly every month, and since you were here they have been always well supplied with provisions. Captain Preece in a note informs me, that the Uriweras at Putere are under the impression that Te Kooti will shortly pay a visit to Whakatane - I mentioned this to Mr. Clarke and he appears to have received similar information. Te Kootican do no mischief at Whakatane, as the Redoubt is now I believe without exception the strongest and neatest in New Zealand - great credit is due to Mr. Withers for the perfect state of the Redoubt and everything about it - I have sent him 100 Hand Grenades though I do not think that any Native force will ever attack so strong a work - The Ngatipukeko have built a strong Pah near the rock immediately below the Redoubt, so that Whakatane is perfectly safe in every way - This talk of a movement on Whakatane is probably a blind to cover a move in some other direction - I leave Preece and Mair quite their own masters to go where they like, but with the understanding that their principal duty is to prevent the return of Te Kooti to the Patatere or King country. Mr. Clarke's firmness with the Orakeikorakie natives will I believe end in their accepting his terms of 2/- per Telegraph pole, the same as taken by the other tribes. I have paid the Militia at Opotiki in anticipation of the money arriving by next mail. Mr. Gill is paying Marsh's people to as late a date as possible, when they will be transferred to my payment - I have just recovered from the difficulty arising from the destruction of all my books, papers etc. - My European force in the district is now very small, but I expect some men daily from the Depot at Wellington. Everything works smoothly and quietly in this and t the Opotiki district. I remain my dear Sir, Yours very truly, W. Moule. The Honble. D. McLean, Native and Defence Minister, Wellington.