Auckland January 10th, 1861 My dear General, I have not troubled you with Letters for some time, knowing that you have quite enough on your hands, without being intruded upon with our affairs up here; moreover, I had no information to convey. There is great anxiety to hear the resit of your late engagement, which I sincerely trust will end as well as it has begun. The Natives about here are quiet, but very sulky and gloomy indisposition. They evidently, while professing friendship, do not like to hear of the military successes at Taranaki. I do not expect any general outbreak up here, altho' a disposition favorable to such a course is evinced by some of the natives. Two chiefs now in Town have warned the Governor to be on the alert respecting Auckland. Not that they contemplate a general attack, but that ill-disposed, individual, natives might commit aggression, that might lead to such a result. It appears very desirable that one of the war steamers should be always stationed on the Manukau, as a means of keeping up the communication with you, as well as for purposes of defence.