Hokianga March 15th 68. My dear Sir I have received your letter, and also the one enclosed from my Father which you were so kind as to forward. I have seen the principal Chiefs of Hokianga yesterday at a meeting and encouraged them to make their appearance at the Bay which they seem quite willing to do. I told them that I had heard from their old hoa Te Makarini and my Father to tell them to go; So there is no doubt that there will be a good muster of the Ngapuhi. They wanted very much to know whether they should take firearms. Excuse the scrawl the mail is just leaving. Yours very truly Hereward H. Maning Donald McLean Esq.