Auckland 13th March, 1866 My dear McClean, The "Sturt" is proceeding to Napier calling at Mataura to take away any Ngatiporos that Hotini may have induced to return to their own district, and at Opotiki to land supplies - I have provisioned that place for 100 days for 500 men with everything except fresh meat, and I want you to send the "Sturt" back there at once with a cargo of sheep, she can of course call in at any of the other posts on her way up if you have anything to send or to communicate. She will then be at the disposal of Colonel Lyonto take back portions of his Force to Tauranga and Auckland - as I trust that native matters are pretty well settled on the East Coast. The Governor and Whitaker go down to Tauranga early next week, and I have no doubt will bring that most complicated question of confiscated land in that District to a satisfactory issue - I hope you have quietly despatched the prisoners to the Chatham Islands - this deportation of rebels has had a most beneficial effect, in all directions, and I really trust that we are approaching the termination of the Native difficulties - Yours very truly T. M. Haultain