Friday morning December 11th. 1868. Dear Sir, Native feeling is very strong concerning the appointment of Col. Whitmore; indeed, without some special information from yourself to assist him, the chances are that the natives refuse pointblank to do anything whatever so long as that gentleman has command. Surely the Government will, under the circumstances, withdraw from a position which can only reflect discredit upon the Public Service. I suppose that Major Lambert will feel bound to report officially to the Government, what was brought to his notice; in fact, I have little doubt but that he will do so. He was unwilling to listen (as an Officer and a junior); but it to avoid doing so. I cannot help thinking that matters have been sadly mismanaged at Turanga. The information we have is scanty; and I form my opinion mainly from Mr. Horton's account, upon which I place full reliance, as I know him to be a man well capable of judging. He is entertaining, I fear, too great an opinion of my capacity for usefulness; pressed me very much to ask you to send me there. I would be willing to do so if you desired it; but unless I possessed some real power, I do not suppose I should be of more service than anyone else. Neither should I wish that any desire to