Ngatapa January 6th. 1869 My dear McLean, We have taken Ngatapa. It is a place that Justified the hopes of Kooti, that he had a safe retreat. In my opinion, it is 1500 feet above the valley, and 2000 or more above the sea. It is a sort of wedge, with a deep gully up the gentlest slope; which, however, is a steep, wearisome ascent. The whole mountain was bush-covered, to the top. Kooti, and perhaps others before him, had cleared the very pinnacle. I endeavoured to burn off the light bush down the gentler slope, on the North Eastern side. The forest is continuous for miles, except where our road approaches; and heavy timber, except on the same side, where scrub 20 feet high, clothes it. The rear runs out in a ridge of rook, - a knife edge. The main force tapped up to the main front. Fraser scaled the rocky ridge in rear. We had not men enough to stop descent by the cliffs, on the right; and Kooti evacuated as our men got in. But 60 of his warriors were killed before he left; and our men have over- taken and killed 60 more. Among the dead are Nikora, and Rangiaho. It is likely that the latter led a body of 30 or 40 Urewera. These made a faint stand in the bush, whilst trying to escape, but Ngatiporou dispersed them, killing 18. The pursuit is being followed up to-day.