Auckland 25 Dec. 63. My dear McLean, I wish you a Merry Christmas and happy New Year. In reply to your letter - I have made up my mind to take any suitable agencies I can get, and feel obliged to you for your proffered assistance, I am sure you can do a good deal in forwarding my views. I cannot afford to leave the service, but in time if I can get a good footing I shall do so, in the meantime I can attend well to both. We had a Native killed two women at Kaipara, a force was sent up but has come back, as it appears it was only a murder, altho a dreadful occurence. You will get the whole account in the paper. Mr. Fox went up, but the result as to whether the man will be given up or not is not known. Paul the chief says he will find the man. 300 Waikato Militia and 300 Regulars go to Raglan immediately - per shipping from Onehunga. One of the new steamers has arrived - a great many boats will be ready next week. The Avon is at Ngaruawahea. The General has not made another advance yet, but will do so when Raglan in occupied. The Prisoners went on board the Hulk yesterday in a very dirty state. Guard of the 43rd. Rt. poor Du Croen is dead. English Mail not yet arrived, I hear a Corps of Land Transport is coming out from England.m We give 500 Militia for a similar corps now and it is to be increased - we also furnish 100 boat men, to replace the Navy on the Waikato. Brakenbury is much better. The natives are going to make a stand 12 miles from Ngaruawahea. I have nothing else of news to tell you. Yours ty., H.C? Balneavis.