Te Wairoa Augt 17th 1866 My dear Sir Having only yesterday returned from Napier I have just recd your letter of the 4th Inst - I am sorry to say the attempt to re open the river has proved for the present a failure, I engaged a few soldiers as you desired me assist Toha as far as I was able. I wish you would kindly inform me what the rate of pay is for Troops employed on Govt works and I can then send in the vouchers Toha also engaged some Natives but agreed I believe not to pay them till the river was cut through which has not been done I was obliged however to get food for them, for which I will send in vouchers next mail, I can better explain matters to you when I see you next than by letter - The mouth at the cliff is still open and plenty of water on the bar but the inside of the river is as shallow as ever, but Mr Balfour will be better able to report upon that matter than I can. I saw Mr Rhodes in Port and he has authorized me to engage a Native Policeman at the rate of 25/- per week I found that I could not get on without it, one European Policeman being unable to get through the Native part of the business - I am to have a Runanga on Tuesday with the Mohaka and Wairoa Natives who are to make a collection to pay the Aropauanui Natives for making free with their property on the return of the Napier expedition - Things are going on very well here - I start for Nukutarua and Mahia next Friday, after which I shall send you a report of the state of affairs in general in the district - I have enclosed £10 - the sum you advanced to my brother to forgot to lodge it in the Bank to your credit when I left Napier - I hope Col. Russell wont make me take in Poverty bay for I really cannot do it those hills would kill me a person cannot win up them and unfortunately I have been suffering very much from palpitation of the heart and at present I am simply unable to take any violent walking, or any other exercise Ormond is attending me now. I have sent you a description of my boundary as handed over to me by Hunter Brown - You say you think you can do nothing in the way of getting the house money I spoke of it is rather hard but of course it is on the "reducing order from chaos principle" at the same time I have no court house - I shall write as soon as I return from Te Mahia - I am, My dear Sir Faithfy. yrs. S. Deighton