N.P. 9 May 63 Dear McLean Your letters I fear dont get attended to in the way of - but I assure you they are not overlooked though not complied with. I should like as much as yourself to see that Force established at H.B. But where to get the money? J thought it was understood it should come out of the Funds (the 5£s recovered from a payment for troops) - but there has always been a doubt money sd. be spared from Native Funds for that purpose and Taranaki seemed to me the place that shd. be secured first - I have been trying to get it up here - but there has been the devil to pay about it - It is a long story but cannot stop now to explain it - By the last mail, 2 days ago from Auckland comes a despatch from His Grace the of Newcastle, forbidding the application of Native Funds (so sacred as a trust) to maintenance of this Force which he does not think wd. be spending it for the benefit of Natives. I hope you can keep your district in peace in these troublous times. Your letter about Renata was satisfactory - It is very lucky for the Hawkes Bayites they have got you and Whitmore together - with the last to be command of the Militia and Volunteers? I have no no records no clerks here - or wd. have sent Commission etc. by this mail - I will do all I can to back you Your loan Bill I have not yet seen - Trusting in your prudence I have no doubt it is such that it can be safely recommended. I wish you were at this place at present - where you would be invaluable. Reports of Ngatimaniapoto coming down - and Ngatiruanuis and all other kinds of coming up to attack Tataraimaka - I suppose they will be off somehow or other - Excuse haste Love to Curling and all friends Yours very truly A. Domett