Tauranga 16th. December 1869. My dear Sir, I only received a letter of yours, written to me when in Wellington, to-day. I need not say I an very glad to get it; and very glad also, to find that you rejoice in my good fortune. Your letter of yesterday's date, conveying approval of what I have done since my arrival here, I thank you for; and you may be sure I will always try to merit and deserve it. We have no news here of any kind, except the following:- William Marsh of Ohiwa, has had a talk with some few of the Urewera; and what he said and did, I had not, - thinking you would be back in Auckland, - enclosed to Clarke, who will show you the letter. I went down as far as Whakatane to inspect the men there, and Marsh's letter came to Ohiwa before I left for here, so I got it, and brought it on. The natives at Whakatane think, from the talk, that the Ureweras' intentions are warlike, but Marsh and his people do not think so. You will know best, whether to attach any importance to this affair, or not. Thanks for the telegram. It very curiously agrees with what we have been hearing here, However, as I am quite on the alert, I do not fear Te Kooti's coming. By the way, from what the Ureweras told Marsh of ''Mai Kowha'' and ''Ruka Huka'' being at Maunugapownatu, it does not look as if the were rejoining him at all. I purpose, in a day or two, sanding out a native of my own, on whom I can rely, to see some relations of his, who live in the bush. I want to get my Redoubt down first, so as to be independent; and the weather has been so fearfully bad, we have been able to do but little at it. When I was at Whakatane, some fourteen fine young fellows came tosee me, and wished to join the Constabulary. They principally belong to the Ngatpuketo tribe. There are three, I think, belonging to Ngatiawa, whose Chiefs do not wish them to do so. I told them all I would give them all I would give no answer until the 1st. of January. These men would be really an acquisition, as they know all the country well; and I am aware that they are true and steady young men; while I have, I am sorry to say, very many here quite the reverse. The Ngatipukeko Chiefs wish their men to join. I send you a slate as you request, and am very sorry I can furnish you with nothing more definite of Te Kooti's movements. Most likely Kemp's and Topia's forces will make him change somewhere. Believe me, my dear Sir (Signed) James Fraser.