Auckland August 19th. 1869. My dear McLean, You will have been wondering what has become of the ''St. Kilda.'' I expected to have heard of her at Wellington, but Harrington has come here with the vessel to get supplies for the Native Contingent at Taupo. I enclose to you a private note from Clarke. He looks upon all the Native movements very jealously just now. I think I said to you before, with reference to the prisoners, Natives taken at Ngaruawahia, that I thought it might prove to be a politic course to let them off; and that is my opinion still. It is the first occasion, I think, in which the law has been put in force against Natives, and will serve as a warning of what is intended, and what to be most rigidly persisted in for the future, and that may satisfy the present needs. It may lead to disagreeable results if the King's people take offence about the arrests, or commit themselves to any more formal demand, for the release of these men, than have already been made. If you agree with these views, the Arms Act gives the power to the Attorney General to arrest proceedings at any stage. The natives might be allowed to remain in prison until the Supreme Court sits, and then proceedings be dropped. Their evidence, although not indispensible, for the conviction of Dorrington, the man who sold the guns, etc., etc., may be useful for that purpose; and the fact that pardon was extended to them, in order that they might become witnesses, would satisfy outside people, who are always, like Capt. Leslie, for handing or blowing away from guns all ''Asiatics.'' I have clipped from ''The Southern Cross'' of this morning, a letter from C.O. Davis, the ''Aroha tawhitu'' of Maoridom. Tamati's letter shows the feeling of Tokangamutu, on the subject. I have reduced the number of men on pay in Waikato, and shall quietly but speedily get rid of all the extra charges which the late disturbance induced. The pot had nearly boiled over on that occasion. I am, yours very truly (Signed) Daniel Pollen.