Hokianga Jany. 10. 70. My dear McLean, I hope this will find you well and satisfied with the results on the whole of your northern expedition. I have been grinding away in the office ever since you left and wondering when I shall if ever have such a pleasant night again as we had on the eve of your departure from Hokianga. I cannot on reflection persuade myself that there is anything particularly bad likely to arise from those perturbations we heard of from the Waikato - te Kooti is as he well knows fighting with a rope round his neck and will therefore do all the mischief he can to the last or if he takes any other course it will be to endeavour to throw himself on the protection ot the Waikato people and the King party who I am much inclined to believe would rather if put to the test fall out rather with te Kooti than with us. I am sure however that the Waikato people hate the idea of an "ope" of friendly Maoriss and pakehas coming into their country in pursuit of te Kooti and would do everything in their power short of a remual of hostilities to prevent it, not from love to te Kooti but for fear that the friendlies would - which is not a very formidable one just now as the Waikatos are fully concious and they fear that after a good survey of their condition the friendlies might be inclined to take liberties not be easily or at all resisted. Of course we must look for the "flurry" of the dying whale, things are with you you have only to mind your money a little longer play cautiously and if you see a chance for a coup de main which would be successfull make it. I however do think the current of events has set in your favour as a whole and you have only to steer clear of any small pebbles and that are in your way and you will bring the ship to port at last and begins another native difficulty of another nature or I am much mistaken not perhaps so bad as the last in one sence though likely to last as long. I shall be very anxious for a few weeks to hear how things go on a few weeks or a couple of months ought to make a very considerable progress in puting native affairs in a more tangible and definite position than they have been for some time. I shall be all the more anxious how things progress seeing to see/who it is that is at the helm. I prophecy however in your favour do what is honourable and right work hard and trust in God. I am My Dear McLean, Faithfully yours, F.E. Maning.