Extract from a Letter from the Bishop of Waiapu, dated Turanga (Poverty Bay), April 15th, 1864.

The Reports which are conveyed are of the most absurd character, such as you have had instances of in other quarters; that the losses sustained by the soldiers are something enormous; that the Queen will not send any more soldiers; that England is at war with America and Russia, and other parts of the world; that the soldiers have been driven out of Rangiriri and Meremere; that Auckland is nearly depopulated, and that the Natives of the coast have page 30 only to go there and take possession. The latest accounts which arrived while I was at Waiapu spoke of 150 of Ngatiwhakaue being killed, and the coast natives were invited to go and finish the rest, and drive away the soldiers from Maketu and Tauranga. It was to little purpose that I explained the onward inarch of troops to Awamutu and Maungatautari: my story was all English and one-sided. I pressed upon their attention the assurance of the Governor, that the lands of the Natives who remain quiet will not be interfered with but that those who go to fight will lose their land. Those who are gone to Waikato have held out threats against all who remain at home; that, on their return from destroying the "Pakehas," they will serve them in like manner, because they would not join with them."