Gisborne. 22nd. December 1870. Dear Sir, The instructions received to-day froM Mr. Ormond to Major Ropata and myself to march to Ruatahuna were very unexpected, and has caught me in the midst of my fatigueing duty of paying the men; about 400 of whom I have paid. I should have wished to have been able to complete; but I am afraid now it will be impossible to do so. I did not meet with so much dissatisfaction as I anticipated about the smallness of the amount allowed for the Waikare expedition. When the men were told of the intended march to Ruatahuma, much joking took place about the nature of the country; some of them wishing to know if Government intended to build nests in the trees, in establishing a post at Ruatahuna. All appeared very willing to go out again. Ropata intends to take only men from Te Urewera and Whanauarua. Tuparoa I am starting up the coast to-morrow with letters to bring some men down who are at the Kainga, also to complete as far as possible, the payment of the moneys in my hands. I find it very trying work indeed; and I have been very much harrassed for the last two weeks. Ropata leaves all preparations to me, and relies solely upon my doing it. often forgetting the shortness of time allowed. It will only be just possible for me to get back by the end of the month, the time named for starting out. I am very sanguine that if we marched by Te Wera, we might fall in with Te Kooti. Ropata will be down here from Patutahi tomorrow, and will probably write to you. I have the honour to be Sir, Yours faithfully, (Signed) T.W. Porter. To:- Mr. D. McLean.