Ohinemutu February 18th. 1870. My dear Colonel, I have had tremendous work with the natives for the last 3 days. They have all along led me to believe that they were going, till up to the last minute, after Rations had been served out, then they backed out of it, and said they would not go. Not content with writing to all the people at Rotorua, telling them not to go at any price, but the ruffians, Petera, Rewi, and Paora sent to Henare te Pukuatua's, people, telling them to come back at once to Ohinemutu. The upshot of it is that Henare is left with about 15 men. I have picked up two or three men to take me through, to Fort Galatea. I am awfully worried about these fellows not going, and I have been very seedy with boils. I will try and make Fort Galatea the day after to-morrow. Yours faithfully (Signed) Gilbert Mair. [N.B. There are several letters written in Maori, (not accompanied with translations) which are pinned together, and endorsed ''True Copy'' (by Gilbert Mair), and connected with Henare Ngati-Whakanae.]