P ''Riwi'' New Plymouth 10 Oct. 1860. Dear McLean, I send you a letter herewith written in Parris's name, by his instructions from an approved draft. And by his request I write you to let you know how things are now going on. Yesterday morning the General with Col. Moule Col. Sillery Col. Carey and Mr. Parris started southwards, taking with him 1000 Men including 150 Natives of Mahau's Raripa's Kipa's Raniera's Poharama's and Te Ngahuru's parties; The ''Wongawonga'' steamer accompanying them by sea and we have received no information of them since they passed the Omata stockade. Colonel Leslie is left in command of the towh with Captn. Paul as Major of Brigade. On Monday Parris rode out to see Mahau's party at Te Raiomiti and to the Hua, where he learned that Te Ropia who had proceeded on Saturday to Mataitaua to fetch his daughter from amongst Wm. Kingi's party had returned with some others (whose names I was to have got for you but I did not expect this vessel to sail so soon) including Matiu Heta Tarurutangi and two other men with some women, who desired to know if they would be received if they delivered themselves up. One of them the Natives refused to receive and a messenger was sent to the bush to warn him not to come; the messenger returned with the information that Hoera the brother of Manaki was there also. Parris then collected some natives who were suspicious of an ambush and captured him. (I should say his wife and daughter were amongst the women whom Te Ropia was bringing back). He was brought into town and is now in gaol, ironed, waiting the General's pleasure as the expedition southwards before mentioned started early the next morning. Yesterday evening word was brought in that one of Matius party had been into the bush and had seen some of the rebels, who had called to him to return as they were a taua. - As we supposed seeking payment for the capture of Hoera. Atkindon went out this morning and the Waiwakaiho Native informed him that they (the taua) had returned for their back tracks had been seen. I had a long talk with Hoera this morning he says he had nothing to do with the murders and that it was he that informed the Reverend Mr. Brown of them in the first instance. He says Manahi is with Wm. Kingi. In haste to save the Mail Yours very truly, J. Renton Watt.