Wallingford Oct. 25th. 1866 My dear McLean, There being no news by the man from Porangahau to render it necessary to keep the mounted men on the road. I am sending word to Messrs McDonnell - Lord and any other people employed between here and Napier to report themselves to you - or if more convenient to themselves to consider themselves discharged. The other three men are at Porangahau I am writing to Hunter telling him it is a mistake his having been troubled with them - but to prevent any confusion from it, I have asked him to tell Hamilton, who is one of them that he is at liberty to return home, which he told me he much desired. So order another of them to report himself to you at once, and to send the other to me to take orders. I shall keep this third man for a week to be available as a messenger in case he be wanted. That is in a few words 5 of the orderlies are to be discharged on return to you and I keep one for a week. I have sent orders to the Policeman at Waipawa to keep his horse handy ready to start at once with letters for you at Napier if required. This will provide for any contingency that may arise. Let an instruction be sent to the Waipawa policemen to obey my orders, in case of any mistake. I have just seen Mr. Hunter and settled everything with him. He was quite bewildered at orderlies being sent to him without any knowledge of what they were wanted for. He says there is little or no communication here - he has enough guns for the Militia Europeans (long rifles) but very little ammunition; you had better send some if you send me the guns I wrote for. The mailman from Porangahau just here now. No word from Matikuna - Karataitiana the man expected is not come yet. Yours always, J.D. Ormond.