Hamilton 11th. Jany. 1870 My dear Sir, Confined as I am to the house, I feel diffident in giving an opinion on the state of matters amongst the Natives in the upper District but I am assured(by verbal massages only) from Te Kuri the Keeper of Te Aukati at Orahiri, by old Tamati and by Rewi (Manga) that there is no cause of alarm by the Europeans that they would if any thing hostile were in contemplation communicate with me before any thing took place. Tapihana and Whitiora have been as I informed you sent for to go to Tokangamutu to explain the grounds of the murder on Pirongia and Tawhao and Manga are visiting Wharepapa Aratitaha and the settlements thereabouts the latter strongly cautioning them against interference of any sort with the Europeans, one thing is clear to me that Manga is using all his influence with his own people to keep them not only quiet but also to prevent their being mixed up with the murder question. The subject of the murder has been before this discussed at Tokongamutu where a large number of the Waikatos assembled to meet Whitiora with what result I am unable to say but I expect to hear tomorrow if not, I will send Andrew Barton up for news as my friend Hettet is getting too reticent or too politic. Te Kuti sent me an invite to go to Orahiri, but my accident if there were no other reason would prevent my doing so at present. If you are in want of any one in Auckland in the office as I hear Clark is ill, may I hope you will think of me as my health is not equal to the work of this District and I very much fear that my late unfortunate accident has not improved my physical powers. And I am very faithfully yours, William N. Searancke. D. McLean, Esq., Auckland,