New Plymouth Jan. 7, 1861. My Dear Sir, I duly received your letter dated 3rd. inst. complaining of no information having been sent by the ''Victoria'' relative to the recent proceedings at Matarikoriko, and in reply I beg to offer the following explanation, which I hope will exonerate me from blame. The Generals Dispatches were written at Waitara and sent on board the ''Cordelia'' which was-anchored off that place. The ''Cordelia'' brought on the Dispatches to the ''Victoria'' which was anchored off the Town, and without communicating with the Shore, the ''Victoria'' left immediately for the Manukau. I would respectfully submit whether it was not the duty of the Native Officer at Waitara to have sent a report to your office. You further state that no communication has been received as to proceedings generally at Taranaki. By the ''Lord Ashley'' I sent a report dated 29th. Decr. communicating that the attack on Matarikoriko had commenced, together with an account of the casualties, as reported up to that time. Generally, the ''Men of War'' vessesl leave very suddenly, sometimes a very short notice is posted, at the Post Office, but unless I am constantly running there to watch for these Notices, I know nothing of it. Could you kindly get instructions from the Postmaster General to the Postmaster here, to inform me on receiving notice to make up a mail during the present state of affairs. I am My dear Sir, Yours most respectfully R. Parris.