Poverty Bay 6 July 1866 My dear Mr. McLean I take this opportunity of sending a line to let you know how things are going on here for I may not have another for some time. I have sent Wilson up to Kohanga Karearea with twenty men all I can spare at present but they are not sufficient in case of real danger. Morgans people are not all gone some 30 remaining behind who draw two bags of flour a week. It is I think a good thing their remaining behind as they do a good deal to keep the rest of the natives in check. The Sturt has passed by twice but did not call ineither time we have now to trust to sailing vessels but as there is not likely to be much of great importance happening I dare say we shall do well enough. I have sent messages to Robert to hasten his movements I hear now that he is at Tokomaru on his way here so I hope to be able to send the native petition by next opportunity. The Ngatiporou have had a good many runangas about land lately I suppose they have detained him. Westrup came back here today having sold his land in Waikato I think he intends settling here. The Rangers are to be discharged tomorrow so he is come just in time. Yours very Truly Reginald Newton Biggs