Turanga 7 Dec. 1866 Donald McLean Esq., Napier. My dear Sir, It is with some diffidence I venture to address you on the present subject, but it appears imperative for some one of our settlers to advise with you, seeing the steps lately taken by which Turanga and the whole of the East Coast have been completely denuded of the Colonial forces. This I fear places us in a very grave position. We know many of our natives cannot be trusted. Andrew Matete and others are said to be some where not far from this, in fact so placed as to be able at any moment to pounce on any part of this Coast. Now it appeas to me Turanga is peculiarly open to attack. Matete would know well enough they could but for a short time hold their grounds but in one successful raid of twenty four hours they could destroy every homestead in Turanga. What is to prevent their doing so? They doubtless are well informed of all that passes here, and without any organised force round which to rally our chance would be poor inded, worse probably than before last years campaign. They had then no idea of revenging themselves on us. Their present feeling is I fancy widely different. Our natives are as much surprised as we are at the withdrawal of the small force of M.S. I have been asked once and again the reason for taking such a course. I must confess I do not feel secure under the present aspect of affairs. It is true we may never be molested but it is equally patent that we may be attacked at any moment and that we are without the means of making a successful resistance, consequently a feeling of insecurity exists and is rapidly increasing among our settlers. Our old antagonist Rukupo is again making some little head which is a further cause for our uneasyness. Hoping our fears may prove unfounded, and wishing you a right Merrie Xmas and a happy new year believe me to be very faithfully, J.W. Harris.