(undated). 1847 My dear Sir, As I did not write you by the last mail, I avail myself of an opportunity of now doing so, by a small cutter bound to Manukau. We have heard from Wellington this morning that His Excellency had embarked with a considerable force under command of Lieut.-Colonel McLaverty, for Wanganui; to carry on operations against the insurgent natives of that district; and I trust he may prove successful in giving them a severe chastisement; as, with all the demonstrations that are made, they do not seem readily disposed, especially in such inaccessible, wild recesses, as they have up that river, to yield submission to British authority; nor is it probable that any effort, however energetic and skillful, will effect that submission; unless the natives depart from their usual wariness, and venture an open engagement with our troops; though I fear we shall not be favoured with any such sudden departure from their usual customs. But even supposing the present expedition may prove unsuccessful as a military exploit, still a great amount of good will be realised, by convincing the disaffected natives, which the present formidable display has been made, and disaffected,- that influential Chiefs, - such as the Whero Whero and Tamati, will combine with the Government to suppress them; and also that a strong force can be brought with secrecy and despatch,