Turanganui December 4th. 1868 My dear Sir, The ''Ahuriri'' is in this morning, with the Volunteers drom the South, and I hear that the ''Lady-bird'' is on her way with the force from Whanganui, under Col. Whitmore. Well, if he does some, after all, and assume command, we must use our best endeavours with English and Maori, to get them to merge their own feelings, in the desire to do their duty (as they all wish to do) to our unhappy country. We are in the hands of God, and if we commit ourselves to His guidance, He can and will bring us through our difficulties by what may appear to us the most unlikely means. We may have more bitter pills to swallow, even than this. The present position of affairs here, is this. Kooti, Te Waru, Nikora, and their followers, are now, I suppose, nearly all at Puketapu. They have not, however, gone with flying colours this time. A prisoner has given the information that Kooti left on the 24th. ultimo, the day after he was attacked by Ngatikahungunu. He is said to have been hit on the shoulder, and unable to ride, and therefore to have had seven men told off to carry him. He took with him the women and children, and prisoners, and 250 of his fighting men, leaving the rest as a rearguard, and telling them that the Friendly natives would retire after being there for six days. Our combined forces attacked all that were left, on Wednesday, and killed a good number, and put the rest to flight. Yesterday morning, (Thursday) they started in pursuit, but we hear now that they are all on their way back again, in consequence of a quarrel between Hotene and Tareha, about the treatment of a prisoner whom they had taken - the man from whom they obtained the information mentioned above. I believe that Capt. Tuke has started to try to heal the difference, and induce them, if possible, to stick to the work. There are said to have been 38 Hauhaus killed at Te Karetu, including those who were killed on the first attack. Of these, there were nine found in one grave, and four in another; and a man who was up there at the time of the attack, told me that he counted 16 bodies lying about in their trenches, and in the bed of the stream; and that there were probably others which he knew nothing of. Among the dead are Nama and Henare, brother of Nikora. This is well, but we cannot consider ourselves at all safe, as long as Kooti, Te Waru, Nikora, Nepia Tokitahi, and Karanama are at large. I remain Yours very truly (Signed) W.L. Williams. P.S. The loss on our side is very slight - two wounded, both Pakehas, one dangerously. 4/12/68.