Armed Constabulary, Wellington, 25th. Febr. '71. The Honorable D. McLean, G.C.M. etc. Sir, Knowing how anxious you will be to hear how matters are going on in connection with the Force now that the Commissioner is so unfortunately incapacitated from attending to business I have much pleasure in being able to inform you that everything is in a satisfactory state as far as my knowledge enables me to judge. With the irregularities which recently took place in Taupo District in which a few of an ammunition convey became drunk on the march I presume you are aware. They have been dealt with by a Board and . You are also aware that Sub.Inspr. Newland was transferred to the Depot pending an investigation (by me) of his accounts. I am happy to be able to say that beyond a proper want of caution in first ascertaining that the May pay of the District had been lodged to credit instead of Inspector Pitt's before he drew cheques against it - his accounts have been found correct and as his presence at Turanganui and Napier to wind up his affairs was necessary I sent in my report on the subject to the Government who gave effect to my recommendations and released him from arrest and ordered his return to duty. As he will not be long at Poverty Bay I would respectfully suggest that he be transferred to Waikato as the recent reinforcements will justify an increase of officers, and I believe him a As already reported in my telegram we are in excess of the authorized number but with the casual discharges caused by resignations etc. etc. this can easily be adjusted provided no new appointments are made. I telegraphed to Inspr. Trike and others who were authorized to forward candidates to send any more until further orders. It is worthy of remark that the are amongst those taken on from time to time and of course the value of such men can not be over estimated. As it is rumored here that it is unlikely that Mr. Branigan will be, at all events for a very long, able to resume charge of the Department I trust you will excuse me from stating for your own information and I beg you to believe that I do so with due modesty - that the Department will not suffer if the temporary charge even for a lengthened period be still left with me. I am emboldened to speak thus plainly with you, Sir, because in the first place Mr. Branigan's intention to have me appointed his Deputy whilst absent from Head Quarters is mani- fest by a remark to that effect on his Departmental Estimate which was submitted to you, secondly because in all the Australian Colonies the Chief Clerk is also the Deputy or Assistant Commissioner and thirdly because I can with confidence refer to fifteen years experience in Constabulary service, the first five of which I spent in the English constabulary in which I attained the rank of Inspector having first joined at the lowest grade. My experience here during the last eighteen months leads me to suppose that if it be necessary to replace Mr. Branigan in command of the Force the appointment will be given to some officer who will be eligible more from a than a civil point who will be very frequently absent on inspection tours etc. and it is in such a case that I most respectfully ask consideration as, in the event of the Civil Police of the Provinces becoming amalgamated with the F.C. I trust it may be found that I am competent to be entrusted not only with the general duties as Deputy but the special direction of the civil Police. Sir, I trust you will not consider me presuming too far in addressing you thus, and with the utmost respect beg to remain, Your most obedt. servt., James G. Fox.