I received yours of the 17th and have heard since from you as to the state of things at Waikato. It is pretty much as I expected I by no means accepted the version that came to Fox by way of the Wanganui river - No doubt the aspect of matters is not nice and is generally hostile. For instance there is little doubt Todds murder was done with assent of the King party - the sending Aporo for Te Kooti - the desire to stop the roads - All show they are inclined to show their teeth if they knew how - they are beginning to realize that we are rapidly pressing them into a corner and that unless they stop us they are done. Still I think they feel their own weakness and will not force matters to extremities in a bad cause - I therefore incline to think that when you get to Auckland you may be able to smooth over this difficulty and at the same time hold your own or perhaps gain a point on the enemy-Beyond all doubt our policy is to prevent outbreak just now if possible, but we must not concede anything and I do not believe it is necessary we should - Respecting the murderers you will not get them given up - they will retire to some safe spot and be speedily forgotten -