Napier, March 5, 1871. My dear McLean, I wrote you day before yesterday by the Star so have not a great deal to say today. This morning I sent you the news I had from Porter from which I have hoped that Ropata will catch Te Kooti. There is no doubt about his being at Pa Puni and I fear the Wairoa Natives knew it. Tamihana Huata came in on Friday from Wairoa and on my questioning him said they knew nothing of Kooti's whereabouts - I then asked how did they communicate and get answers so quickly from him. He was rather confused at this and I then told him we knew T.K. was at Pa Puni and that Ropata was there too. He then admitted that they believed Kooti was somewhere in that neighbourhood. It seems strange too that they should shield a wretch who has done them