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English (ATL)

Mohaka opposite the Church
17 Oct. 1866


My dear McLean,

I have been two days stopped by the Mohaka which is very vexing - Parsons has broken down; Instead of supplying Frasers men wherever they may go, he declines doing so, beyond Towgood and Campbells house at Pohui. He wants me to get him live stock, which I cannot do, as I have but one shepherd or cadet on my Run, and they have been incessantly employed by Birch on all the more disagreeable and laborious duties of the Force. Thus my own horses ridden by them are knocked up and I cannot manage to supply the sheep or cattle for want of people to find them.

Pray endeavour to assist me to a small extent, I have endeavoured to avoid expence to the public, but I find I must have pack horses. The Volunteer Cavalry cannot do this duty - It wants strong horses, in fair condition, it wants pack saddles and men who understand horses - 4 pack saddles and horses would do, but the people sending them must be responsible to have no knocking up. Therefore they should bring spare horses. There is good grass at Pohui but not here.

I am constructing rafts and searching for canoes as it would never do to have the river rise in our rear while we were on the other side. I must arrange during the day and leave someone here to pass supplies across, another at Pohui to receive and pass on supplies, and some body to bridge the distance by good management. The river will be fordable by daylight and some Maoris have ridden across already.

Kopu never came. Tareha is not very cordial in assisting at the dirty work. Renata and Karaitiana are however helping us. I have sent for my light boat at the Station and expect it up by night. Also I am going to stretch some wire across in order to sling things over. So starvation is unlikely.

I much regret to say that Mr. Troutbeck yesterday in searching for canoes fired on a flag of truce. I think however the Maori may have understood it was done because he galloped away - but I am very much vexed that such a breach of the custom of war should have occurred in a force under my orders -

I have received your letter. Many thanks for it and for detaining Newberry.

Up to this we have fed well. We have however killed our first horseflesh and must look to that I think till we get back.

At Haroti and Waipauiti, there are some of the enemy doubtless but I trust they will surrender. I fear I cannot hope to go further even if tempted by Tohi, unless I do so in very close pursuit.

There are some 250 Natives at Titiokuru, but all seem full of food and there are lots of potatos there.

Goodbye and believe me
Very truly yours
G. S. Whitmore