Wallingford Saturday. Oct. 27th. 1866. Dear McLean, Paul and the Porangahau natives have just sent to me to say that a messenger arrived last night at Porangahau from Mataikona. He brings word that Ngairo was about to start for Hawkes Bay, but it was believed he wd. rather go by the inland road by way of Puhaetahi (Manawatu) than come by way of Porangahau. The Porangahau messenger (the one that I had sent) had gone on towards Castle Point and Wairarapa to be able to bring positive intelligence of the route taken and had also the time at which the expedition started or is to start. The present messenger (a Matikuna Mative) does not know positiveley whether the party had started or was to start, only that Ngairo with 200 followers was off to Heretaunga by way of the 70 mile Bush road. Putai the Porangahau messenger is expected back for Castle Point or Wairarapa tomorrow might and I shall have immediate word of his intelligence. Hodges who takes this to Waipawa to the Policeman there will be back here tomorrow ready to start again with any further news I may have to give you. The 2nd. Policeman at Waipawa I have ordered to be in readiness to start at once if required. Dont send any armed orderlies about, until you hear from me the next news --- it alarms people unnecessarily. I shld like you to send me up some arms, if you can get them --- and also some ammunition for the rifles now here also Powder and Caps for double barrelled guns. It is requisite now that we shld. be placed in circumstances to defend ourselves if necessary. You may depend on my acting should the emergency suddenly arise in exact confirmity with what I understand to be your wishes, which are my own opinions --- viz. to let the Party, if they came, go on to Heretaunga --- still I shld. like to be able to take the proper measures for the safety of the people in the neighbourhood. My next letter will give more definite intelligence until then dont send word of this to anybody inland. I shall send another Native off now to Puhaetahi to keep watch and bear intelligence from that quarter. This information so far as I can sift it is hearsay only. The word by Putai will be definite. Please dont let this word have wind, it will spread and alarm people very much and you can depend on my taking the necessary measures of precaution at once if necessary if time shld. press, not only for here but for Rua Taniwha. This leaves at 1/2 past twelve noon. Yours always J.D. Ormond. Hodges I will keep a day or two longer in case of having news to send you. Your letter to Stafford is very good.