9th. June 1862. Whangarei. My dear Sir, After numerous delays false starts and baffling winds, I succeeded in getting away from Auckland on Tuesday last and reached here on Friday the 6th. I found Manihera and Pohi here in charge of large collection of Women and children some whose husbands had gone to join in the war from here others residing there who had thought their helpless stock would be safer out of the way. I may I suppose safely inform you that every native in this immediate District is a strong supporter of Tiraraus and also that every European also sympathies are with him, he has as yet had the best of the fighting, on last Friday there was an engagement but the results have not been accurately ascertained. Ti got two men wounded. The Europeans up to the present time have not shown the slightest fear of the result, Tirarau's party being placed between Matui's party and the settlement (european) and while Ti's party have abundance of food Matui's are rather hard up having to fetch their food from Mongakaihia. It is seriously to be hoped that Tirarau and his party will be able to maintain their position as I believe any reverse sustained by him will lead to a resumption by the Natives of the whole of this District. I have seen and conversed with several Natives on the subject of the war and the greatest enthusiasm prevails on Ti's side and in his favour. I was hunting thro and thro my papers to find copies of the Accts, but as yet have not succeeded but this is immaterial as you have the originals as made out by Stewart. I proceed to Ngunguru today and if I hear of any news will let you know of it. Yours very sincerely, Will N. Searancke. D. McLean, Auckland.