1867 My dear McLean The Surveyor has not yet appeared. I hoped he would have been here by now as Green said so in a note he wrote by your direction. However I don't go in till Saty. Evg. I trust you will not think I took a liberty in expressing as I did to the Ministry my own feeling that you had been discourteously treated about the East Coast, and that I felt sure you could not but feel mortified at the very cavalier tone of the letter asking you to take it. I hear from Green they have written to you and I trust my representations have not injured but improved the affair. I am in progress with the constabulary. My plan is, to get them fitted to drill clothes and horses - and then to shake them out like a bag of peas, in such a way as to be perfectly in hand while quite dispersed. I think that Dr. Baker must surely be here by now to medically examine the men. I can do nothing till then for men whom he cannot pass must be rejected. There are also some few requisites to come here from Napier without which they cannot be completed - and these are possibly not yet sent from Auckland. I will also make them help on this side of the ranges in the formation of the Taupo road - As soon as they are able to turn me out one or two decent looking men fairly mounted I will send you one or two orderlies and place relays along such lines as you may wish. I will make them keep diaries so as to show (if needed hereafter in proof of their utility) that they have earned their pay. I think this is all I have to say just now. On Saty. Evg. I'll try to be in Napier and to see you. Many thanks for one or two little things youve done lately - among others putting Andersons name on the Commission of the Peace. Believe me Sincerely yours G.S. Whitmore