Te Mahia, 2nd Septbr., 1865. My dear Sir, You will have heard from Deighton about the engagement between Turanga and Talago in which without doubt the Hauhaus have been beaten. Since then a hau-hau messenger has arrived here reporting further engagements nearer to Turanga, wherein the friendlies are said to have had the worst. In spite of being scarcely more than a days journey from the scene of action the information is so scanty and contradictory even, that I do not place much reliance on it. I have seen G. Walker, who has spoken to the man who brought the news, but am unable to come to a satisfactory conclusion. Old Ihaka is very uneasy, he says that some of his own people and a good many on the Northside of the Peninsula are turning hau-haus. He has 2 men on guard every night, patrolling the flat. He has given me just now a letter for you, which I will send from the Wairoa, as the boat may not be able to leave for some time. Morris is sober just now, but he seems to have very little influence with the Natives. Matenga of Nuhaha has sent all the rifles received from Govt. to Ihaka () stating that he would trust to his hau-hau gods. Ihaka and his people talk about appealing to Matinga to give up Mau-hauira, otherwise they would drive him towards Turanga. But this is mere talk. Strange to say the account of Mohis or the Waka Maori, which is freely circulated here, is discredited by the Hau-haus. A Native has asked Walker only today, what had become of the Pakehas at the East Cape. Concluding with the supposition that they must be all killed, as no news arrived of them. The Natives here without exception seem to drink very much. Almost every man in the district sells grog, which seems to be very readily and quickly supplied from Napier. This will safe us probably a great deal of trouble in few years to come, as no constitution can stand the I hope to be back by the 10th. Yours very faithfully, Charles Weber.