New Plymouth August 18/1860 My dear Sir, By this mail I have sent you an official report with reference to the letters of W. King to Archn. Hadfield which are the most wilful fabrications ever invented. If I have been guilty of a fault towards W. King and his people, it is to much kindness as Halse can testify. The letter of W. K.'s to Ihaia at the time of the offer of the Tarurutangi block will I think expose him as much as any thing if well explained to the house - his treacherous fawning salutations to try to work upon their feeling in his own favour. The state of things in the place is truly lamentable, the rebels are now allowed to move boldly about close to the Town burning houses in all directions, and taking away Cattle Horses and every moveable article, and yet the Troops are never sent out to check it. The George Henderson, ''Brig'' came ashore on Thursday at the Henui a Picket was on board of her last night when Alfred McKeller and Coad the Brewer who were at Hammertons house with another Picket went therefrom to communicate with the Picket on board the Brig and on returning were fired upon on the Beach. McKeller escaped but Coad is supposed to be shot and taken out with the Tide, as his body cannot be found. After this they went to Fort Niger and fired a volley upon the Sentries, said to be very close. Flights house was burnt on Wednesday night and a large place, put up for the light company of the 65th. on the reserve close to the Henui Bridge, which singular to sa was abandoned about a week since. This party of rebels ar under Teito and I am sorry to inform you that Te Waka has g over to them, and if the present system be continued I am very much afraid others will also for we are leaving them completely to the mercy of the rebels and retiring before them to within the circumscribed line of defences. Commr. Loring will give a full account of every thing, and among the rest my own difficulties with those military people. I enclose herewith a proposal for enlisting the friendly Natives, with rules for their management and duties viz. that they should go in advance of the Troops to find out danger, failing which a penalty of death. I think Sir the proposal is a disgrace to the British Army. I at once refused to explain the duties and told them, any attempt to enforce a rigorous discipline upon them would be the worst thing could be done. I wish you could come down if it was only for a few days. The struggle from the commencement with most of the Settlers has been to try and set the Military against all. With kind respects, I am Dear Sir, Your obdt. St., Robert Parris. Please not speak of the enclosed documents to Commr. Loring. He has been a good friend to me since he has been here. R. P.