is written in Maori, with no accompanying translation; it signed and is written from Turanga, 1870. are:-] Gisborne. 6th. December 1870. Dear Sir, There is no news of importance to communicate from here. The land Court is going off quietly. No opposition was offered to blocks passing through the Court, all north of Turanganui passed. I advised Ropata not to countenance any effort to prevent the working of the Court, lest blame should attach to him. So men from Ngatiparoa have arrived to cut grass, and to whom I have commenced to issue rations. More men are to arrive in a few days' time, under Hotene Turi. Last week great excitement was caused here by a report coming from the Coast that Te Kooti had destroyed Tokomaru. Fortunately the report proved false; as Ropata and myself then felt the want of a party of good men, as in sending a native to the na- tives of this place to go out with us to cut off retreat. All we could muster were 25 men, which was not very promising, had the emergency been great. It was much to Ropata's and my own satisfacti on the rumour proved unfounded, as we dreaded going out with these natives. I have not commenced to pay the money to Ngatipaoa, and I shall not do so till after the 100 men arrive. Ropata will remain at Turanga while I visit the coast; which I expect will detain me a month. I find great difficulty with the Waikare amount, as some men have so exceeded by debts the amount to credit. Ropata is anxious to pay off Read's debt, but does not, want one man to suffer for another. I am dear Sir, Yours most faithfully, (Signed) T.W. Porter. To:- Hon. D. McLean.