Napier, January, 1870. My dear McLean, The Wellington gives this opportunity of writing to you. Yesterday I received despatches from McDonnell written on the 25th after his first brush with the enemy the taking Kooti's horses was a great point as now it seems impossible for him to make his way to the Urewera country at least if he does it is a great discredit to us. We are looking most anxiously for the next news and may hear by the Phoebe due here today -- From your last letters I conclude Frazer is on the scene before this with his force -- also that the Arawa are guarding the passes by Rotorua. How about the road to Te Kuiti is that barred against Te Kooti it appears to me of immense importance that it should be -- Another point which strikes me as very important is to form a post under the present excuse somewhere between