Poverty Bay 15 July 1860 My dear Mr. McLean I heard a few days ago from Wylie that Raharuhi told him that when Anerus daughter brought the letters sent you that Ratau and Wirangi whitete went out over the hills to see the men who accompanied the woman from Ruatahuna. She told them that Aneru intended to come down here as soon as the new potatoes were ripe but that before he did come a messenger would be sent to Raharuhi in secret and that he would tell them every thing. Raharuhi told Wylie that he is tired of Hau Hauism and promises that when the messenger arrives he will put into his hands everything that may come. Wylie tells me that he thinks Raharuhi might be made a very useful tool as he feels that the only way to regain his lost position is to side with the pakehas. If the old fellow will keep to his promise we may probably learn something of consequence. The Forest Rangers have got their discharge about ten are going to remain in the district the rest intend leaving some indeed are gone. Westrup came back just in time to pay the men. He has sold his land in the Waikato for £3 per acre. I have sent up to Henere Potai 1 ton of flour 4 cwt. sugar and 1 ton of seed potatoes. Albert came down with such a piteous tale that I was obliged to do what I have done. I hope the Government won't find fault but from the accts both from the Maoris and from the white people Henere's people are literally starving. Really the Government ought to do something for the poor felloe for we owe them much. But with what I have sent North I do not think that the limit you gave to Wilson will be exceeded £120 per month last month it was a low as £50. Do impress on the Government that it is nothing more than our duty to see that the Ngatiporou do not suffer from want of food. They were taken away to Turanga and Wairoa just at the time when they ought to have been planting. Hitherto we have had an extremely mild winter but we must now look for bad weather so let supplies be sent soon. Hatere came to me the other day and told me he did not like the looks of things at all down here and intended to say so to Morgan and tell him what he saw and heard namely the double part that most of the friendly Maoris are playing he wished me to write for some more of Morgan's people to come down. I would not agree to that as I know Fraser got into a row about bringing Morgan down the last time. But as the European force is so small here now I thing it would be a good thing to keep at least 50 of the Ngatiporou here they could plant potatoes and live in a great measure on the wild cattle and pigs the cost to the Government would be no more if they lived here than if they remain at Waiapu and it would be a great protection to this place I trust the Maori petition is not too late there ane enough signatures at any rate more than you thought. Baker desires to be remembered to you Yours very sincerely Reginald Newton Biggs.