''Clyde'' Decr. 19th 1868 Dear Sir, I have the honor to inform you that a meeting of the Principal Wairoa Chiefs was held at Mr. Taylors house yesterday: and resulted in a determination on their part to do nothing until receipt of further intelligence. They declare also their desire not to be placed under the control of any European officer unless one acquainted with their language and habits. More More the messenger sent by Toha to Waikare returned last evening bringing information that the Uriwera Chiefs had again assembled at Tiki Tiki that they had been joined by the whole of Ngatimate Wai and Raro manuhiri but that so far as they were concerned they desired to maintain the peace established by Pitiera Kopu - More More has been again dispatched with a letter (copy enclosed) from the leading men here to the Uriwera - he is to return again from Tiki Tiki with their answer. The instructions sent to Major Lambert to establish communication with Turanga have never been acted on - we are consequently without any intimation of the state of affairs there, neither have the 50 natives authorized by the Govt. to be selected from the Tribes been yet chosen - or any steps taken in that direction. The 25 men of the Mohaka Contingent were sent home today. The chiefs appointed 20 men for patrol between Te Waka Ki and Mangapoiki offering to supply the men free of any demand for pay if the Govt. would supply rations. This request the Major declined to comply with. The natives express great alarm lest Te Waru carry his threat of making a descent upon Te Wairoa into execution - I am totally unable to perceive any sufficient grounds whatever for the slightest relaxation of vigilence. The position being to the full as critical as ever - the rumour being that Te Kooti has more than replaced his losses by fresh accessions of strength from Te Uriwa's of Maunga Powhatu More More states that the Ngatihuri and Ngatihaka together with the remnant of Te Whakatohea are all with Te Kooti. The general opinion is that Te Waru may probably take shelter amongst the hills at Back of ''Te Waka Ki'' and watch opportunities of cutting off stragglers or making attack upon any unprotected spot. No faith whatever is placed by our leading men in the professions of amity expressed by Pairau te Rangikaitupuake and Te Kowhai neither do the writers of the letter entertain any idea that its requirements will be fulfilled - the chances are largely in favor of the supposition that the Uriwera only lack opportunity to commence hostilities and even the maintenance of an armed neutrality at Tiki Tiki is eminently unsatisfactory it is a standing menace and liable to be broken through at any moment. The potatoe crops are ripening fast and the plantations about Ohiwa Orewha repiti and on the shores of the Lake are capable of affording food for a large number of persons. The opportunity of destroying the enemy has manifestly been lost or only partially taken advantage of; and time must elapse before we can again strike an effective blow unless some broad plan of action be immediately adopted; and of that there appears no likely hood. That the want of communication with Turanga is little short of a disaster is clear - inasmuch as had we known here for certain of Te Kooti being at Kohanga karearea as alleged in the letter I forwarded to you nothing would have been easier than for us to have fallen on his rear, as at the time we were within 3 miles of the Reinga and therefore a days march from Turanga. As it is we are entirely in the dark and can only form the merest guess at what is occuring elsewhere. The position is this the enemy knows everything and with promptitude and accuracy and we the precise opposite. I have the honor to remain Dear Sir, Your obedt. st. Geo B. Worgan His Honor Donald McLean Esqre.