Copy. Taranaki. 9 June, 1845. My Dear Sir, It is very uncertain when this letter may fall into your hands from the uncertainty of communication, I am induced to forward it by a Native who is going to Epiha's place at Manakau and as you directed in your long and welcome letter of May 21 (which contained the only detailed particulars of te Pahanga o Ngapuhi) I have always a letter ready to send. I believe that the first and most important matter I have to relate is that two Waikato women formerly of Taranaki captured by Waikato's one of whom has been married to a Chief had there absented themselves during the night from the Waikato's who were here on a visit returning some Taranakians and then on their way home, on missing the women the Waikatos went after them and they would not be given up this the Waikato's were greatly offened at particularly as they had not ill treated the women and as one of them had been married to the young lad before mentioned who is a relative of Kukutais - I have been twice to the place where the women are detained and striving to have them returned quietly but they do not intend to give them up the feeling is certainly confined to a few but so jealous are they of each others affairs that the better disposed ones will not interfere in having anything to do with them. Mr. Bolland also went with me but we could not succeed, since that Mr. Turton has gone and all we can do now is to wait quietly till we have your advice on the subject. One hundred Natives of this neighbourhood joined the Waikato's and went down to Taranaki to try and get the women back but as the Natives from here were influenced not a much to assist the Waikato's as to avenge an old grievance of their own I prevented them from going all the way in case of a collision only taking a few unarmed ones with me to the place where we found on your arrival that the women had been concealed. We have used every endeavour to preserve peace I would very much dread the revival of any old feudish feelings with the Waikato's it not only endangers the lives of Natives but would probably subject a whole settlement to considerable loss and annoyance we had an instance of that at Wanganui. The Waikato's talk of land as payment this I have disencouraged and refer them solely to yourself for advice as they are so near Auckland. We have one or two rather troublesome matters on hand at present Natives laying claim to parts of European Sections - I am in hopes that they may be settled you will be glad to hear that Munu's case was amicably so and various others have been adjusted since - I will write you full particulars of my trip round the District - Two murders have been committed along the West Coast occasioned by some dispute about pigs. I cannot advert in detail to various matters at present but as a messenger soon leaves here you will hear every particular by him and as this goes by a chance hand you will excuse abruptness and believe me in haste to remain My Dear Sir, Yours very truly, (Signed) Dond. McLean.