played his last card. If this thing is not already done, as I hope it is, our forces ought to close in upon him with all possible speed; and if they don't catch him, follow him up again, without an hour's delay. Ormond reports despatches from McDonnell, that Topia and Kemp had joined him and supplies arrived, that they would advance forthwith. Before this I hope you know the result. We are waiting the arrival of the Squadron, which left Lyttleton this morning, and is expected, in all, to-morrow. I am afraid there will be very little to amuse them. It must be a horrid bore to be ''balled'' and ''picniced'' by a lot of people whom you never saw before, and hope never to see again. I saw the Harts a few minutes ago; just arrived from Canterbury, all well. The ''Wild Duck'' is in. Yours faithfully (Signed) Wm. Fox. P.S. I do hope you have all been to put Firth on one side. If he holds Pollen to his pledge, he may keep up the farce of talking to Te Kooti, till our people are weary and disgusted. My only hope is that they will