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English
Turanganui November 19th. 1868. My dear Sir, You will be sorry to hear that poor old Paratene Pototi has been shot by Kooti, as also have six others, including - Te Wiremu Kinahi of Ngatimaru, Iraia Riki, and Waaka Puakanga. As far as we can make out, at present, the Hauhaus are still taking it quietly at Kohanga Karaearea, where the Forest Rangers used to be encamped; and also at Pukeamionga, near Patutahi. They have, also, it is said, another Pah among the hills at the back of Patutahi, where their women and children are said to be, and to which it is said that the women and children of Ngatimaru are said to have been removed, that the men may be unencumbered for fighting. We are very glad to see this re-inforcement just arrived by the ''St. Kilda.'' It is to be hoped that the wretches will not have betaken themselves to their mountain fastnesses again, before there is force enough here to attack them. You will, I hope, have heard, before the ''St. Kilda'' returns, of the fact that pour Mrs. Wilson is still alive, though very severely wounded. Still, I am happy to say that she is going on as well as we have any reason to expect, considering the character of her wounds. She was left on the ground for dead, and lay on the ground all Tuesday, and part of Wednesday. She then crawled into a small building on the premises, where she remained till she was fetched on Monday last. On Thursday she was found in her hiding-place, by her eldest son, James, who had escaped in a marvellous way, when the rest of the family were bayonetted. The boy wandered about in the neighbourhood of his own home, hiding at times under a sweet-briar bush. He slept one night in Capt. Bloomfield's house, but some people came there during the night, and the following night he slept under the briar bush. From this hiding place he saw the Hau Haus pass by on Thursday morning, when they burnt Capt. Bloomfield's house. He was the means, undoubtedly, of saving his mother's life; for, after he found her, he cooked her some eggs in a tea-kettle, and fetched her water. He also got her a few potatoes from a Maori Kaianga at some little distance. The poor boy made two unsuccessful attempts to find his way down here; but on Monday he succeeded, and was met by some of our own people, who were starting out to reconnoitre. He is, I am thankful to say, none the worse for his hard living during last week. Mrs. Wilson is now in my cottage, where she will remain until, as we hope she may be fit to stand the voyage to Napier. I wrote to Mrs. Lowry by the ''Muriwai'' and will write to her again to-day. I am glad to hear that we are likely to have a little Pakeha assistance from Otago, for our Officers may have to give way against their judgement, sometimes, to Maori counsels, if the Pakeha element in the force is disproportionately small. Thanks for your kind offe to forward letters to Mrs. Williams. I shall gladly avail myself of it. I remain Yours very truly (Signed) W.L. Williams. To:- D. McLean Esq.