Wairoa 4 Jany 1866 My dear Mr. McLean I forgot to tell you one thing of some importance in my letter of yesterday. The impression among the Maoris at Turanga is, that all those who are in any way implicated with the Hau Hau, will lose the whole of their lands they are therefore making over their lands to their wifes and trying to sell it imagining that the womens land will not be confiscated Lazarus is one who has done so. Of course they have been put up to this by white men Reid is I hear endeavouring to purchase what he can. I think it is but right in me to tell you of it for I fear it may lead to a good deal of trouble and make things more complicated than they are. Is it decided to be illegal to suspend the new "Native Lands Act"? if so I don't see how the mischief is to be stopped. All the Maoris are back from the front having succeeded in driving the Hau Hau across the Waikau lake or rather the rebels have bolted there. I really do not think any more can be done for the country on the other side is all dense bush and it would never be safe to crose the Waikare lake as it is only now and then that a canoe is able to live on it being so subject to winds. The camp is now at Pakowhai where there is any quantity of food. Potatoes corn kumeras etc. Would it not be a good thing to keep the Tuparoa natives there as long as they will stay it would save the Government a good deal for about Waiapu and Tuparoa there is literally no Maori kai at all - and besides, their being stationed at that place together with the European force that will be left here would effectually stop the Hau Hau from returning to their old quarters I have not yet seen Fraser as the steamer could not get up the river today being obliged to go down to the bring the Tuparoas up. She starts with us on board tomorrow at 6 a.m. Yours Very Truly Reginald Newton Biggs