settle many difficulties. One point of considerable importance is that our move to Patetere will smash up the Aukati that has so long stopped the roads between Taupo and the Waikato Military Settlements. We should take care that we keep the road open when we have opened it -- then Telegraph etc. will go through without difficulty -- You will gather from what I have written all that is being done from this side and I do not see that you need get much more force -- McDonnell men and the Wanganuis are more than enough to effect all that is wanted I have ascertained that there is a good deal of Native food along the line our force will move but steps should be taken to ensure supplies being at hand at Tauranga and Maketu in case they are required. Also it seems to me that care should be taken to block the road against Kooti's return to Waikato if that be done I think our Taupo force can do the rest. There is one point I have not yet taken into account and it is that before our force gets up, Kooti may have pushed right through to the Urewera country. He may have done this already if he has not I do not think he will manage it now -