January 21st. 1870. My dear Mr. McLean, I just drop you a line to say that everything is singularly quiet here. I have had a long interview with the Waihi natives and after making every allowance for the ill blood which has lately been stirred up between the parties on account of the opening up of the Ohinemuri Gold District, I believe there is little doubt that Te Hira is encouraging Te Kooti and his band of murderers. The Waihi natives have applied for ammunition etc. and I have issued to them a limmitted quantity. It will commit them to us and will give us an opportunity of watching the Mataora natives. I have written to Ropata and told him to come up - if he is not here soon I will take down the "Sturt" for him. I am just going down to call upon Capn. Montgomery. I send this by Ohinemuri. Yours faithfully, Hy. T. Clarke.