5 Aug 1864 My dear McLean, Everything looks pacific except the relations between the Govr. and his Ministers. I have got leave to go home in October and for you to act for me for 7 months. The whole East Coast seems likely to be put under me, or rather you, and the "Iris" made an Institution. They are detaining me to arrange a permanent organisation of the Defence Force on plan. We are to keep all ours. I do not feel sure the present trip of H. E. the Genl. and Ministers (Fox and Whitaker) will not end in a row. All distrust Sir G. and think he means to curry favor with the Philo-Maori party by refusing to sanction, or much curtailing, the confiscation of the Tauranga settlement land. The Govt. mean to guarantee Provl. loans. Now this may affect ours if known before much of it is sold. So possibly if there is no hurry you would not like to push it for a bit in the market. The Govt. propose that the bill shd. only apply to loans already sanctioned and that henceforward none shd. be allowed. I have a sword and cap for Tareha. I hope to bring McNeill with me for a short visit on my return. They say the King and Rewi are gone to study the "pai marire" or new religion - Thompson they to see at Tauranga. I may go to Tauranga tonight but I think not. As regards our proportion of the loan on which I know both you and Ormond put so much stress I think it will be given. Only they want the Takapau bought and seem much pleased at my telling them there was a prospect of it. In haste Truly yours G. S. Whitmore