Rangiawhia 23rd. December 1860. My dear Sir, I write to you few lines as I promised you. On Waikato river every things are in the statu quo, except great anxiety to go to the seat of war, but the King has marked out the line for going to Taranaki; still some people in side of that line are alread y gone. There is nothing to fear for Auckland, unleas that some soldiers should be sent to Maungatawiri, or to Wangaroa or to Kawhia or to Tauranga; and then they would try to burn the town of Auckland. On the 20th; inst. there was a great number of persons assembled at Rangiawhia from the Ngatipaoa, Ngatihaua, Ngate rangi, Ngatiraukawa, Tuhorangi etc. About 200 taken from these different tribes have moved, on the 21st. inst. towards Taranaki. Tompson went back this morning to his own place. He has been kept by the King, probably to recruit more troops for Taranaki. Within two or three weeks, Tairiori shall start at the head of an other party of natives for Taranaki. And the last party shall be headed by Tompson himself. The leading and fighting party now is Waikato; William King and the Ngatiruanui are occupied to prepare food for the warriors; On the night of the 20th. inst. a great meeting was held in presence of the King, where John the Baptist explained his scheme in regard the war. His opinion is to write to the Governor to send all his troops to Taranaki only and all the maori from the North to the South from the East to the West shall also go there andthen they will have a good regular and decided battle and whichever race shall gain the day, will reign and possess the land of New Zealand. Tompson and many other chiefs did not agree to that plan upon that ground, that, each place must defend itself. Nothing has yet been decided. After Christmas, I shall proceed to Taranaki. If you favour me with some news from Auckland, address your letter to me, at Taranaki, to the care of the Revd. Trevallet Cath. priest. I remain, My dear Sir, Yours obedient servant, Donald McLean Esq. M. Garave V.G. Auckland.