Turanganui January 3rd. 1869 My dear McLean, Please expedite the shipping of all the ammunition that can be got hold of, - more especially Enfield, Ngatiporou are extravagant shooters, and have spent 24 hours steadily pouring volleys into the Pa; so that our reckonings may fall short. Biscuit is never amiss; three or four small strong bottles chloroform. Our main stock in a large bottle all leaked out on the way up. Have them firmly fastened, and packed tight in boxes. I have just come down from the front. Everyone is behaving to admiration; scarcely a skulk in the whole party. The place is as nearly as possible invested. Fraser and Hotene have taken a small work in the rear. Ropata and Roberts, with poor Brown, (who I am grieved to say is killed), and the Arawas, under Grindley, have run up entrenchments to within 50 yards along the front. Whitmore is working well with the natives, and shown better in action than anywhere. Towgood is a capital fellow; brave every time, and modest. We have lost 3 killed, - 1 Arawa, 1 Ngatiporou, and Captain Brown. The latter, this morning, at daylight, at the head of our sap, shot through the chest. There have been two attempts to escape. Fraser arrived in the rear just in time to stop one. A native fired impatiently, and disturbed the fugitives, so that four only of twenty were killed. The rest were driven back. This morning, a kokiri was made on the trench in front, but repulsed without a scratch on our side, The fog on the hill was too thick for us to see what loss they suffered, but they got a volley from 250 men. The place is all that has been said of it. A more romantic affair cannot be conceived. I could hardly tear myself away, in spite of the soaking rain. I forgot to mention the wounded; one, - sergeant of Fraser's division, - in the shoulder; one Arawa, -in the scalp. The unfortunate rain gives a chance to the Hau Haus, but Ropata says he will follow, if we give him ammunition and rations. He wishes none but natives to chase. In haste. Yours truly (Signed) J.C. Richmond. P.S. Telegraph this to Haultain. Send back steamer as quickly as possible. Do not detain for biscuit; but ship if possible without deferring her return.