Rissington, 12 Decr., 1865. My dear McLean, I hear by the Newspaper of your return and achievments they are really solid and reflect equal credit upon you and upon those who have borne the brunt of the fire. Fraser deserves well of the country so indeed, and perhaps more do you. I speak unselfishly of Fraser I am proud of him, and glad to see him succeed. But to be selfish I do not know what I ought to do and will gladly take your advice. To be on right ground I placed my services at the disposal of Govt. without pay. These were declined, I presume that I might not clash with you or Fraser. I think this was being too easily alarmed. I would have done my duty but have done it and gone back to my plough clashing with neither. As it was declined I stick to my hayfork and shears. I am within 3 hours hail, if wanted I am at your disposal I hour after I am called without pay. If not wanted not being paid and having my bread to make, I stick to my plough. You are the responsible person here I cannot submit to be snubbed by Col. Russell, and I shall not again offer to serve. If called out I am at your call, only without pay, and you know enough of me to know, that all I ever said thought or advised in reference to Maori warfare is justified by what has been done by Fraser. In times gone by you respected the strength of these barbarians more than after recent events you can now. I never had the least respect for them or their way of fighting. I only wish my advice had been taken sooner. Weld admitted that I was the first Military man he had heard advocate hand to hand work, at the Waikara That he agreed with me there and did so more now. The fact is I am the only Military man here who has ever seen this kind of warfare and therefore am the only one out here who talks of what he has seen and knows about. The Napier Militia and Volunteers are not called out. When they are I must go with them. Till then I am at your call and till called after my services were declined for Poverty Bay I am going to do like the rest. Believe me, Very sincerely yours, G. S. Whitmore.