Wairoa April 22nd 1865 Dear Sir I have received the letter by Hamlin - What could make Fitzgerald or any one else circulate such a report a mere parcel of falsehoods, I cannot think unless it was to gain his point which appearently he has done in getting the command of the Militia etc. here, so as to be a clog on this district - The whole matter must have been got up for that purpose, and now he chuckles - The people here are disgusted with the appointment but see through his dodge - He is a lump of curruption mystery and nothingness. The whole case was that when Major Lambert was here the natives, to show themselves off, and to pay him a compliment marched up to Spooner's armed - when I suggested to Major Lambert to address a few words to them, which he did, Mr. Deighton acting as interpreter after which the natives were sitting about, when Karauria Hiwirori came up drunk and struck one of Kopu's men for some old grudge, when Kopu feeling insulted became angry and commenced making a speech at the same time drawing his sword