Napier, 4 Augt. /65. My dear Archdeacon, I am sorry to hear such bad news from Turanga. The worst feature is in the sudden defection of such a large body of the people and the doubt as to the cincerity of the Minority. If reliance could be placed on even a small section of the Natives the difficulty of the position could be more easily met. I am satisfied that if that scoundrel Patara had found his way to Poverty Bay that every settler and friendly Native would have been cut to pieces, I therefore decided upon giving all the support I could to Morgan's party and the result has been as far as we have yet gone most satisfactory. Patara found Waiapu too hot quarters for him after the volunteers and Military Settlers arrived there - I do not expect he will venture back again but if he does I believe the resent arrangements I have made there will ensure his capture. I should have called at Poverty Bay on my return from the East Cape, but I was hard pressed for time and it was midnight when we reached there. Potori returns today - I declined giving arms for the present, and I shall be guided in the adoption of that course by circumstances as they develop themselves - I remain, My dear Archdeacon, (W.Williams?) Yours faithfully, (Sigd.) Donald McLean.