Napier Sept. 14th. 1868. My dear Mr. McLean, Nothing further transpires in this quarter about Native matters. I do not think there is any immediate danger on this Coast. The natives are looking after their commisariat, and will be very unlikely to undertake anything at present, if left alone. At Poverty Bay there is a good stockade at Turanganui, backed by Patangathauti, who can be depended on; but at Wairoa there is no stockade, and no natives except old Ihaka, who can be depended on. They ought at once to have some place which can be defended, and into which the people could fly if taken by surprise. Earth works around the Court House, together with the house occupied by the Constable would answer the purpose for the present. I cannot, however, believe that it is possible, independent of every other consideration, for the Government to face the difficulty on the score of expense without any possible means of meeting it. When the House fairly looks at this in the face, they cannot attempt it. No doubt this is a point which Fox will fasten upon on Wednesday evening. How much better it would be if the present Ministers were to come forward with some practical proposal, which may give a better promise of success than the present policy. Believe me most sincerely yours (Signed) W. Waiapu. P.S. A telegram I received yesterday from Colonel Whitmore, I answered to the effect that I do not apprehend any immediate danger on this coast; but I gathered from the manner in which the Colonel expresses himself, namely, that if danger is anticipated, the Government will send the whole force up here. That this means the policy of extermination, --- the general order was given to the force at Ruakituri, being, --- take no prisoners. Do not let such a course be grounded upon my letter to you. I have stated that if the natives made it necessary, by making raids upon the different points from Ruatahuna, that then there was no other course likely to succeed but a simultaneous movement upon them. The action taken by the Chatham Island prisoners was not of that character. They said at Whareongaonga, to Capt. Biggs, --- "Let us go quietly to the interior; we do not wish to molest anyone, but we met them for the purpose of obstructing their course". So too, on the West Coast, they made their first attack upon settlers occupying the confiscated land. Excuse this disjointed letter. I have not time to write it again. (Signed) W.W. To:- Donald McLean Esq.