Tauranga 14th March 1871 My dear Sir, I am just starting for Opotiki and will pay the Ohiwa people on my way down. Mr. Henry Clarke and Mr. Hamlin are still up in the Rotorua country, but expected back in a day or two. Major Mair is expected here in a day or two en route for Waikato. Mr. Edwards the Interpreter is here and proceeds to Auckland by first opportunity. Captain Mair and Preece with their contingents are in the neighbourhood of Fort Galatea. No late news either of Te Kooti or Ropata. The mail via the Thames for llsh inst., has not yet arrived, the very bad weather may be the cause of the delay. Mr. Warbrick is at Ohinemuri and expects some little trouble, but hope to get the mail through. Everything wonderfully quiet throughout the District. I remain my dear Sir, Yours very truly, W. Moule The Hon. D. McLean, Native & Defence Minister, AUCKLAND.