offering to supply the men free of any demand for pay if the Govt. would supply rations. This request the Major declined to comply with. The natives express great alarm lest Te Waru carry his threat of making a descent upon Te Wairoa into execution - I am totally unable to perceive any sufficient grounds whatever for the slightest relaxation of vigilence. The position being to the full as critical as ever - the rumour being that Te Kooti has more than replaced his losses by fresh accessions of strength from Te Uriwa's of Maunga Powhatu More More states that the Ngatihuri and Ngatihaka together with the remnant of Te Whakatohea are all with Te Kooti. The general opinion is that Te Waru may probably take shelter amongst the hills at Back of ''Te Waka Ki'' and watch opportunities of cutting off stragglers or making attack upon any unprotected spot. No faith whatever is placed by our leading men in the professions of amity expressed by Pairau te Rangikaitupuake and Te Kowhai neither do the writers of the letter entertain any idea that its requirements will be fulfilled - the chances are largely in favor of the supposition that the Uriwera only lack opportunity to commence hostilities and even the maintenance of an armed neutrality at Tiki Tiki is eminently unsatisfactory