Wairoa 4th May /69 My dear Sir I thought you would like to hear how we are all getting on in these troublesome times so I have taken this opportunity of writing. The St Kilda has just returned bringing about 120 Ngatiporous with Ropata and I hope we shall get some of your Natives with Henry. The Wairoa people have behaved very badly but I dont so much them as I am clearly convinced they have been tampered with by Mr. G.B.W. and as soon as I can get a full meeting together I intend to investigate the whole affair and will send you all particulars. but one thing I must tell you, and that is that he has done his best to damage you by trying to stop this expedition by vague hints and innuendoes, leading the Natives to beleive that you are adverse to it, that Mr Richmond is at enmity with you and all that kind of silly nonsense which nevertheless goes down with Maoris who know no better - Even Hamana who is supposed to be his great ally made a voluntary written statement about his underhand proceedings - but you will hear more about these matters from Mr Richmond who is fully acquainted with all his little tricks - I am afraid poor old Ihukao is pretty well used up he seems to be getting quite childish at times - The only people who have come out at all well here are Tamihana and te Hapimana and I trust their services will be recognized at some future time by Govt. I am sorry to say that I never saw any Natives in my life so completely demoralized and utterly spoilt as the bulk of our people are even including Ihukao - The Mohaka affair did a good deal towards it and Mr W. has to the best of his skill and knowledge finished it but even now if we get a little success in the projected expedition it will be all right - I shall send you word from time to time how things are going on here I am, My dear Sir faithfully yours S. Deighton P.S. Please write occasionally when not too busy. S.D.