Wallingford Decr. 16th/68 My dear McLean, I am not very well tonight over-tired I think with work, but I must send you a few lines altho' I have not much to say - I have yours by the mail and am glad to hear from you that our friendlies at Poverty Bay are all right and will fight again for us. The Herald says I see that Whitmore is to return to Wanganui, if so that is another piece of good news. The raid the Enemy has just made on Poverty Bay shows altho' our forces have chastised them, they have by no means lost courage and are still ready to strike where ever there is a chance - Still I am glad to find they are hanging about Poverty Bay - it is far better for us so - I feared when you thought they had retreated to Puketapu that we should next hear of them at Wairoa or at Titiokura and unless we succeed in crushing them I feel sure we shall so hear of them sooner or later. There is no news here or from the Bush, all seems quiet there - the knowledge that the party is watching that road has done a good deal to soothe alarm - but I am sorry to say that a great deal of unnecessary apprehension still exists. Yesterday I had the meeting with the people of the District and I was really grieved to see the senseless alarm that prevails on all sides. Depend upon it if we had an inroad from Manawatu side half the people would bolt. I am sure of it - I can only account for this by the fact that there is everywhere an utter want of confidence in the Govt. of the Colony - Our countrymen are beginning to lose their nature and to allow that they are no match for these Hau-Hau scoundrels. I have written you officially what took place at the meeting and enclosed you the Resolutions passed. They are sensible enough and the steps proposed to be taken are reasonable also - I shd. think the sort of places they wish to put could be built for about £60 apiece of which I suppose the settlers wd. have to find half - Suppose 3 places of Defence cost £200 building Govt. wd. give £100 towards it I suppose - I enclose you a note of the proceedings at the meeting - very rough and brief - but still an outline of what took place. I was especially pleased at the correct feeling towards yourself - Just look over what I have written and unless there is any part you think it better shd. not appear get Wood to publish it - I see no reason why I may not speak out if you keep quiet. If however you think what I said had better not appear then strike out what you object to and get the rest published - Dont hesitate to omit anything you think better not. I was quite astonished at the strong feeling displayed at the meeting - It was well attended and the beggars hissed the Govt. and cheered loudly when we were referred to - Such an exhibition of feeling in an out of the way district like this speaks volumes. I see referring to Provincial matters that you have got rid of Koche - there is no doubt he has deserved to be dismissed any time this last several years - I havent time to read his letter to-night but will return it with a note upon it by an early opportunity. What a state at things of Wanganui! really the moving of Whitmore's force at the time the Govt. moved it, was second only to the removal of our little force from the East Coast - The movement was as rash and as ill-advised as it was possible anything cd. be - These Ministers are really deplorably deficient even in common sense. But it is no use thinking of them and I have filled my paper - The Link between Waipukerau and my orderly, will bring me any news you have - if you have it telegraphed to Waipukerau on Monday - Wednesday or Friday Evgs. I shd. get such Telegrams on the next day - Good night. Always Yours very truly J. D. Ormond