Wallingford Oct. 31st /66 My dear McLean I have no Hau Hau news to give you enclosed is a letter I received today from Henare Matua. He still seems to think the Wairarapa party wants to come to Porangahau but I think there is little chance of it now. I shall send Hodges away tomorrow there is no further need for him. I have let him have a little money as advance whilst stationed here, which I suppose will be repaid out of his pay I will send Withers a Mem. of it by Hodges (enclosed in this) Of course my orders to him will be to report himself at Napier --- How well we have come out of this Omaranui business --- So far as I have seen not a single fault has been found with what was done except byour esteemed friend Barabbas --- Depend upon it we did right in writing to Fitzgerald and others, an hour or two spent in that manner is not thrown away upon occasions such as that --- What about Taupo? It appears to me that the present time offers an opportunity to Grey to carry out his scheme for the location of a Regiment there, which may never be equalled again --- How wd. it do for you to write to him and offer to help him with it --- With the Taupo Natives ready to fall in with our views nothing seems easier than for the Governors scheme to be carried out --- We had had two or three fine growing days, light rain but still very useful --- the country looks beautiful --- Your letter to Stafford, a copy of which you sent me I like very well --- What a most preposterously absurd idea of the Government's that all routine could go through the Defence office --- Really this officialism is a most confounded nuisance and is in itself an absolute check to anything like prompt and efficient action