Friday, Aug 14th. 1868 (no date of year.) My dear McLean, The Militia can only be called out for ''actual service'' or ''for training and exercise''. There is no authority to call them out for ''Inspection of arms'' merely. Mr. Prendergast thinks that as you have acted in the matter before, you may properly do so now, and suggests that you should yourself make the necessary Proclamation. I enclose some papers of the Defence Office, with copies of the Hawke's Bay Gazette, in which are former Proclamations of yours on the same subject. Colonel Whitmore will receive instructions about Frazer's force. I am Yours very truly (Signed) Daniel Pollen £1868 You will, I am sure, have experienced those feelings of indignation at the great crime perpetrated in Sydney on the person of H.R. H. the Duke of Edinburgh, which have been expressed by British subjects wherever the dastardly attempt at assassination has been heard of; and it will require no words of mine to induce you to join in an address to Her Most Gracious Majesty to express our sympathy with the sufferings of the gallant young man whose life has been attempted, and our congratulations that it has pleased God to spare him to return in safety to the bosom of his family. We must all alike regret the failure of H. R. H.'s intended visit to New Zealand, as we have not only been deprived of the opportunity of expressing our feelings of loyalty and devotion to the throne, but an occasion has been lost that may not occur again of cementing that permanent peace with the whole of the Native tribes which is so necessary to the prosperity and well being of the colony.