S. S. Rangatira 5th December, 1869 My dear Sir The night before leaving Napier (3rd Inst.) news came in which induced Mr.Ormond to request that I should be landed at Tauranga. I annex copies of his order to me, and my letter to Capt. Renner, by which you will see I have left the cost of my being landed to be arranged hereafter, as I consider £40 a most exorbitant charge. There was no other news in, when we left and as Mr. Ormond has written to you, I have no doubt he has told you everything. Mr. Brannigan and Roberts were to start on Saturday morning to visit the Posts at Taupo. I think Brannigan a very nice fellow, and I have no doubt all will work well with him. I like his new system very much, and look forward confidently to its success - I hope you have not ordered any men from Tauranga, as with the Man of War leaving I do not think any more should be taken away - The strength there and at Whakatane will only be 134 in all, little enough do you not consider it so? in case of anything turning up. I am very anxious for you to allow me to join up the ''Uriwera'', and trust you will let me know your views in this matter - I will write you fully as soon as I can, how things are at Tauranga, you could get my letter by Friday next, I hear St. John is employed in some way in the Bay of Plenty District and I fear he may try and interfere with me. Would you kindly send me by first chance an official confirming the order I received in Wellington - to take the command of the Bay of Plenty District, and also a copy of any orders given to St. John, so that I may know exactly what to do - Please excuse my troubling you so much, and also this scrawl, which is not rendered more legible by the shaking of the screw. I need not add that I feel very grateful indeed to you, for the command, and that I trust to merit your kindness to me. Believe me Always yours faithfully James Fraser You will most likely have heard full particulars from Cooper of the state of my accounts.