Napier 15 June 1869. Dear McLean, As far as news is concerned you will hear a great deal more of what goes on than I do. With his Lordship I have the misfortune to be on the worst of terms as he declares I never meet him but I am most discorteous which means that we cannot agree on any one point. I tell him that Whitmores strategy in throwing his men about the country in small bodies far from any good base of operations and so as to drive the Hau haus if possible into our province is disgraceful. He retaliates by talking about the expense under your regime which I inform is nothing compared with what it is now then comes his opinion as to my discourtesy to him always when I abuse him for assuming the titles of Offr. Commanding and Genl. Govt. Agent. It is quite enough for me to enter the club to turn all the politicians into mutes. Lambert has begun to realise the false position he has placed himself in and is now as quiet as he was bumptious when he understood from his political friends that ''Ministry had a Majority''. He does not now see quite so clearly Whitmores Generalship. What a position these Russells have managed to place us in. With such an army in the field and all communications stopped between the different portions of it and between it and Hawkes Bay Whitmore I suppose still in Wellington trying to persuade people that every thing he had done deserves praise. I do trust this state of things will be put an end to at once without a dissolution. I have asked Lambertt why they did not keep their raw levies in Napier to be trained until the spring instead of sending them up the country to be fed at such an expense in places where they are liable to be cut off furnishing the enemy with arms and ammunition he says this was the intention of the authorities but I suppose if ever thought of abandoned in hopes of making a coup before the meeting of the Assembly. I have just heard that Lambert has started with 8 men to open communication between different points I suppose Tony Hamilton and the Maories they so much abused and whom they say they have no trust in have also gone to day. You will know more than I do about it but I will find out tomorrow and tell you what I hear Withers amongst others appears always to get out of my way if possible in order I suppose not to compromise himself. What a wonderful escape the Bank of New Zealand and all the block of houses to Newtons store had last night from the fire which broke out at Williams. Weber is up the country and I miss him much. 17th. June. Today I see Weber has returned so Stafford fancies no one but himself can form a Ministry what conceit the idea of not finding better than Haultain Richmond etc. etc. is too ridiculous. However I hope it will be soon over now. I shall probably wait for English Mail which will be here tomorrow. At length I fancy I have heard of a house that will suit. Most sincerely yours, Gwavas Carlyon.