Waiuku 19 Jan. /61 My dear Sir, I received the enclosed just in time to forward them to you by return mail, and will do all in my power to find out the true object of Henana's visit to the natives of this place some of whom are attending the meeting at Taupari. Katipa continues on the sick list, and but for Dr. Topp's constant attention would soon be off it. I find from Reweti and Honana that you are likely to receive from Ngaruawahia a sort of protest about the stockade now being erected at Drury, which is regarded as hostile to Waikato, and will be met by precautionary measures on their part. All I could say was of no avail in removing their forebodings. Reweti said that Potataus word and the Governors word in reference to Waikato ought to have been sufficient without erecting pas, and thereby making the natives uneasy. Without doubt the natives would like our out stationes left defenceless and at the mercy of a similar armed body of desperate men recently encountered by you at Patumahoe, but that is no reason why we should be of the same opinion. They did not hesitate to come on our territory armed and surely we have a perfect right to build a stockades on our land and even man them if so disposed. From a remark made by Honana, I ascertained that they (Kingites) expect to be consulted on such matters, otherwise they will shew their teeth - their desire is to be supreme and once give way to them, I question whether His Excellency could take his usual horse exercise without asking permission from these deluded creatures at Ngaruawahia. Excuse haste, Faithfully yours, H. Halse. D. McLean Esq.