Pohui 20 October 1866 My dear McLean Weber will have told you all the news. I have recrossed the Mohaka with the whole force including Natives who are now scattered all over the country from Titiokura to Pah Kowhai --- I had two to three days flour sugar and tea across the Mohaka, which I gave to the Maoris, trusting that you would approve. The rest of the public property will be found to have been economised, so that Govt. will lose nothing, except on the horses and pannikins. The horses however, are still required to collect the stores, and move them to Mr. Parson's house. I recommend that he be furnished with a list of prices, at which he may sell them, receiving a commission. Mr. Maney might purchase some of the supplies for his bushmen and although the emergency may have caused some loss in cartage, a very large part will be recovered. With regard to my reserves of ammunition, La Serre brings back that which was last night beyond Mohaka, to Pohui and Capt. Carr's dra will bring the rest to Petane. The Natives pushed on, or rather some few pushed on as far as Tarawera. It was to prevent this kind of thing that I left the Natives behind at Waiparati when I moved on with the European force to Westport beyond Turanga Kumu at which I posted the Notice of which I sent you a copy last night. The Chiefs are sensible that in remaining last night at Te Haroto we gave these men a support to which they were hardly entitled. Happily I learned this morning that all rejoined during the night without accident. To prevent unnecessary loss, from want of information of the arrangements hurriedly made by me, I shall be in Napier on Monday when I shall put things as square as I can. Nothing could have exceeded the willingness of the Volunteer Force to carry out their duties, nor their cheerfulness in undergoing some hardship and some privation for though we had supplies they were irregularly received and the appliances were wanting to enable them to cook. The Natives were more under control and evidently in much better fighting order than at Omaranui. Renata not only gave great assistance in crossing the Mohaka, but led the column on foot with the scouts --- These allies were pretty well paid for their trouble as they got all the loot. They must have swept off 200 horses I think, and much rubbish that they value. Hamlin will know and be able to tell you all we got out of the two or three old prisoners, and what was seen at Tarawera I believe it was deserted but did not see the last who returned --- Fraser will halt at Pohui tonight and tomorrow I suppose. It is hardly necessary to say of him and his men that they did all that regulars could do --- But of Capt. Carr and his Brother at Petane who remained at home to assist us in supplies I can not say too much --- Their readiness and devotedness were beyond praise. Old Parsons is a very "canny" if not rather 'sharp' old fellow so do not make him any rash promises about the public stores till we meet --- Not that you are likely to do so, but as you might fancy the service under obligation to him, might shut your eyes a little in business on purpose. He does not deserve this. Many thanks for the unusually I may say almost extraordinary quickness with which you carried out all my requisitions; No officer could have ever met with more cordial support than I have, and if things have turned out well, I never forget how very much it is to your personal exertions it is due, and to the great responsibility you so bravely undertook that the spirit of the Province rose to that pitch which commands success. In this matter I was willing to bear all the burden of which you could divest yourself but I am bound to say I have seen no sign of your flinching since we drew the sword. Another time, though I pray God it may never again come to that, another time you will not feel so uneasy about the conduct of operations. I am nearly the only officer in New Zealand who has been trained to this warfare, and what might be rashness with some, is hardly so when done by me. This I say because I fancy you have got it into your head that I want to knock my head against a wall on every occasion --- whereas I instinctively know when to be pushing and when to creep on with care from 7 years constant war at the Cape, in the Bush and my interests are the same as yours in this matter. I fancy there is no real ground for all the Urewera and Waikato reinforcement reports. It is clear that it was on the cards once, but I am equally sure that our late successes will stop this sort of thing for the future. What a country to defend we have passed through. Believe me Very sincerely yours G. S. Whitmore