ready to attack any outsettlers or friendly Natives who may come within his reach, while the friendly Natives bewildered by different and confliciting instructions are at a loss to know while willing to act what steps to take for the public safety, and although constantly appealed to on the subject I do not feel that the Government place me in a position to enable me to act with sufficient authority in this matter. The condition of Poverty Bay with deserters and spies from te Kooti's ranks who are settling among the resident Natives is far from being satisfactory while Opotiki is exposed to attack by Te Kooti who if allowed to retain his present threatening attitude will soon obtain considerably assistance from various tribes, any success oh his part will also ensure Waikato support and thus create a fresh combination of difficulties which it will be exceedingly difficult to meet; I would therefore