Poverty Bay, 17 August, 1866. My dear Mr. McLean, I have only just time to write you a line to tell you I have received your last letter by the Sturt. The potatoes I will see fairly distributed amongst the natives. Capt. Fairchild has only bought up fourteen bags of wheat all that there was in Napier. The Natives here say it is no use putting in wheat now as it is too late so I have told Fairchild to take it up the coast for Henere Patore or Morgan. I am much pleased to hear you are likely to get the annexation. I keep a look out upon Rice and his doings but there is not much fear of his doing harm here as the Natives do not believe in him. Ropata the native who was sent with a letter to Aneru Matete to ask him to come and give himself up has returned he has brought no letters but says that the King and the tikau ma ma have agreed that there is not to be any fighting here but that all those who wish to fight are to go to Taranaki. Aneru and his people do not wish to go but would be glad to give themselves up if Aneru was certain he would not be sent to the Chathams. What will be done with him if he does come down? If he is not to be sent away a prisoner would it not be a good thing to let him know. Patara and Kereopa and their people are gone to Taranaki so that if Aneru and his followers were in there would then be but little cause for alarm on this side the Island. The Government have approved of my moving the Kohangakarearea Camp to Toanga but I am not to incur any expence. Preece and party are gone up to the oil springs to survey 8,000 acres to be put through the court on the 28th of this month. Is there any truth in the report that you are likely to be Native Minister if so what is to become of the Province unless you can persuade Ormond to become Superintendent. Yours very truly in haste, Reginald Newton Biggs.