Napier 7th. January 1869 My dear Richmond, I was delighted to receive your letter of yesterday from Ngatapa, and to hear of the success that has attended the operations there. Nikora's death is of the greatest importance, and I trust, by this time, that Te Kooti has been secured. If he reaches Maungapohatu, it would be a good stroke to follow him up. The Commissariat difficulties are, no doubt, very great. Ngatapa must have been a well-chosen position, from the description you give of it - one of those natural fortresses that Kooti showed much judgement in selecting. There is nothing new from the West Coast. Everyone hails, with satisfaction, the prospect of a return of peace to the East Coast, as it