Awamatu February 6th./61/ My dear Sir, I drop you these few lines to inform you that the natives are on their roads back in partys ever day and night for this last week there appears to be a division among themselves owing to the last engagment they say the Ngatimaniopotos sold them - but most important is that last night a native went past on his road to Taranaki he had a package of letters and also a plkau of powder he states that Matataera and the lower Waikato natives were gathering force for Taranaki and were expected to be on the move as soon as possible he had letters to that effect for Taranaki. The Wi Ana passed our place yesterday on his road home also a number of his own party they state when he left the natives from Upper Wanganui had arrived at Huirangi. Patena, Patane's son has returned from the east coast with ammunition but no force also a native arrived from Taranaki on his road to Taupo to request those to join if they do not consent he returns to fetch Rewi and all his party back they confess they want more force also they admit they are shortof ammunition. Hakaka has sent word to all the people on the road up in the country not to give any food to those that are returning unless wounded also not to cross them at Mokau. You can guess its meaning. Nothing has occurred local of late that Is the reason I have not written as you seem to be well aware of every movement in this quarter - but I do not think there were/only five hundred left this part of the country all included during this last few months it is not correct what is stated in the journals eight hundred at one time and so on. I beg you will excuse this scrawl as I just arrived here and the mail will close directly. I beg to remain, Your obedient servant, Lewis Hetet. To Donald McLean Esqr