Waiuku, 4 May 61. My dear Sir, I learn, and probably you already know, that Tamihana will refuse to abandon his idol, the Maori King, and as he does not consider the Ngatiruanui's have committed the crimes with which they stand charged, so he will not leave them to their fate should active measures be taken against them. The Taranaki horse taken to Patumahoe, mentioned in a letter to Smith during your absence at the South, has been sent out of the way, until the result of pending negotiations are known. The fact of bringing the animal here, has been condemned, and it is of importance to bear this in mind, shewing us as it does that the hostility of some tribes, and members of tribes, is not participated by other tribes, and members of tribes, and therefore that the latter should not be included in the great question shortly to be discussed at Mangere or elsewhere. To go in (such is the expression used in Auckland) against the King movement, would be to go in against a large majority of the natives on the Northern Island, and encounter as we most certainly should, very serious evils, but to go in with firm conditions against the tribes who without provocation took up arms agst. the Government, and occasioned so much misery and bloodshed, is quite another thing and will in all probability meet the approval and active aid of many influential chiefs. Prudence suggests the adoption of such a course to avert a rising, and if after all your efforts to bring about a peaceable solution of the war of their own creating, the offenders should decline to come to terms, then I say whatever the result of their obstinacy may be, no person will be able to challenge the justice of your proceedings. Such is my whakaaro, and if at variance with yours, let me know when you have 5 minutes to spare, as in that case I shall never expect to hear from you. Faithfully yours, H. Halse. To: D. McLean Esq.