ill blood caused by this vacillation of the higher authorities broke out during my temprary absence in the country in assaults by Capt. Buchanan on Capt. Kennedy. I reported these to Head Quarters and was told offence was merely civil but Capt. Buchanan was to have his leave cancelled I wrote to him to that effect desiring him to report himself without delay to Offr. Commg. at Wairoa instead of this he started for Wellington. To my surprise Officers of the Militia sent me a memorial on subject of the assault which after much consideration I thought it better to forward to Minister that he might see opinion of some of the principal inhabitants