Tauranga, June 11, 1870 My Dear Mr McLean The official letters by this and last mail will have given you full news of everything that has been going on lately, but there is one matter upon which I did not like to write officially and yet you ought to know about it when Col.St. John went up the Waireka last month he took with him nearly 200 natives, all of whom were put in orders to go on pay at rates higher than usual viz. the men (so they say) getting 5/- and the chiefs 10/- they fully expect to get paid and the amount required will be upwards of £500. I know that the prevailing impression has been that they went out on conditions. I am afraid that there would be some difficulty in getting them into the Corps again till this question is settled. I purpose leaving for Opotiki again tomorrow, and hope by the time to I get to Whakatane that messengers will be out from Maungapowhetu, reports from Ruatahuna say that heavy firing had been heard at Waikarimoana, but I think that it must be a mere rumour. I think Hapurona's mission to them with Clarke's letters will have great weight. A portion of the potatoes ordered for the late have been delivered but the weather has been very severe and has retarded the affair. Yours very truly W. G. Mair