Napier 6th Oct. 1868 My dear McLean I now enclose you a copy of the letters from Teira Marata etc. an extract from which you had by telegram --- I thought you would like to see the letter in full. Ormond is telegraphing about Tuke and other matters so I am not needing to do so --- The Govt. sent to Mr. Hamlin to go up the coast and disarm some of the natives but he is not likely to perform such a gouk's errand --- Before your telegram arrived about Mr. Tuke being employed Mr. Richmond had sent word to Lambert to despatch a special messenger to Deighton and Biggs to inform them that the natives would be paid in cash for their past services without any reference to the land claims and disputes, and that the first instalment of pay would be up by first steamer --- This news if dissimenated amongst the natives as ordered would make the position of any one else going up after, a false one and raise expectations in the native mind never likely to be fulfilled --- The irritation under which the Govt. suffer is evidently causin such vacillation and inconsistency in their directions that I fear me nothing will be done well or in time. To hesitate now, or to employ unfitting agents in so delicate a business as this East Coast on now is, may leave bitter regrets and great losses to mourn from many a one of us. We know that Locke would reflect as it were your great interest with the natives for good from long association in these matters and personal temperament. Yours very truly J. Rhodes