Napier 15th Sep. 1866 My dear McLean On coming down to the spit to see the mail off to the Ashley at 12 o'clock I found the boat coming ashore again without communicating with her - It would appear that the boat with the mail and a number of passengers, amongst them a lady, went out a distance of two miles, and the Steamer running away from her at a distance of four miles, the boat was compelled to give up the chase - This is a serious matter and calculated to injure the place much on account of the timidity of the commander of the Ashley - The Pilot and others say there was nothing to hinder the Ashley from coming to the usual anchorage, and at all events she could have gone to the large buoy and circled about there - The Sturt will convey the mail luckily for us - You should report this matter to the proper authorities. Yours very truly Joseph Rhodes Deputy Superintendent.