Tauranga 25th. January 1869 10.30 p.m. My dear Sir, The ''Luna'' arrived here to-night, with your letters, the arms, etc., all of which are being loaded; and I have arranged with Captain Montgomery to give me some coal. The arrangements Clark and I have made, are these:- ; and to march through the Pururu road to Patatare; by this means closing up the different roads of escape Te Kooti may take. Clarke also has written to the Coast natives, to join in, and I trust we will shut him up. If the ''Sturt'' comes in to-morrow, I embark with 80 picked men; which will leave about 100 Europeans and 50 natives to guard this place, besides outsiders; and as I will be joined by 300 Arawas, or 400, will at once march from Maketu by the road I have before said, and so cut off Te Kooti, in case he attempts an escape. I go from here, by any road from here. The Arawa have told Clarke they will not do so; ang, as you know, I have no men to march with without them. I was dining on board the ''Blanche'' when the ''Luna'' passed, and so got your Despatches at once, as Capt. Montgomery had her boarded. I trust all our arrangements will be satisfactory to you. I have done my best. I have everything ready here; pack-saddles repaired, and rations will be all right. My men are all in good spirits, and eager; and as soon as the ''Sturt'' comes in, we are off. The horses I will take, as they may be useful elsewhere, even should Te Kooti slip from McDonnell. As McDonnell has not sent me word in time, of his movements, all I can expect to do, will be, ; I don't at all expect to be able to assist him in his investment of the pa. Had he informed us in time, (perhaps he was not able to do so) one might have helped him. I write this in great haste, as the Captain is anxious to be off, so please excise writing. Believe me, yours ever sincerely (Signed) James Fraser. P.S. Clarke tells me he is writing about Native matters; so I do . Should he arrive at Maketu to-morrow night from ''Sturt'', we will be in position in at least 48 hours. (Signed) J.F.