Waiapu December 30th. 1866 My dear McLean, I am surprised that the Govt. should have construed my recommendation that the ammunition here and at Maxeonia should be placed in greater security as meaning its entire withdrawal. Nothing could be further from my meaning and intention. Old Horikamou was nervous about his charge and Morgan, Wiki and others were of opinion that it might be well to bring the greater part of the ammunition round here, in the event of anything inconvenient. As regards the Magazine here, I mentioned in one of my letters to you precisely what I wrote to the Govt. that the detachment was stationed, as I considered, unwisely five miles from their ammunition. I informed them at the same time that I had strongly advised Mr. Gascoigne to bring his men back to Waiapu where I understood it was always intended that they should be. I consider that it would be most impolitic to withdraw the ammunition from this Coast till there is a more certain prospect for peace. I am forwarding to you by this mail a number of claims for supplies furnished to the troops by the Natives which I am told have never been attended to although presented to the officer in cammand. I have been asked to lay them before the Govt. I consider that it is better done through you. You will probably soon hear of or see a very troublesome sort of character Dr. Brown who has just formally intimated to me that he intends going to Wellington. Matters have been going on for a long time back very unpleasantly between him and the Natives and several of the Europeans till at last they have held meetings and petitioned the Govt. that they should have another doctory- although until very lately I have always got on tolerably well with him, I have yet seen much to condemn in his conduct. Overbearing and passionate and with a determination not to see when he is wrong he is just about the most unfitted person for his present post - as long as a state of warfare continued here as a matter of course the military were masters of the position and he being attached as surgeon availed himself as unfortunately too many did of all the opportunies which the license and recklessness of such a state of affairs permitted. After peace was restored the idea still prevailed with many of them and among others it would appear Dr. Brown that they could do just as they pleased, had only to say the word to be obeyed. However from one cause and another I found on my arrival here that Dr. Brown was most unpopular. Still I thought not Knowing the man that by advising him to avoid giving cause of offence to the Natives and to strive to make himself useful to them he would see the advantage of it and alter his course. I was in hopes for a time that I had succeeded and recommended him for the appointment of Native surgeon which the Govt. gave him. Matters have not improved and it has ended in their petitioning for another. Latterly towards myself he has been most insulting although I have always tried to befriend him even when appearances were most strongly against him I state these particulars to you in case he should as I have often been warned against, try to place matters in a wrong light. I can answer for the Natives having norne a great deal from him. And I also know his shameful neglect of them in sickness. Jan. 3rd We have now been upwards of a month without any communication. The weather for some time has been very boisterous and no vessel of any kind has put in so that we have neither had letters nor been able to send any away. We feel the want of a regular mail much. I am in hopes that the Sturt will be down on tier way south in a day or two. Mr. Lally and his son have been waiting for three weeks for a chance back to Napier. I long to hear how you are getting on and to know something of the state of the Country. Ferard went north with the Sturt. The wife and little ones join me in best regards and believe me my dear McLean, ever yours J. H. Campbell I wish if you have an opportunity that you would give Henari Potai a little word of advice about conducting himself a little more reasonably and orderly. I have had complaints - more than once and I have been obliged to remind him that if to he wishes to be of service to the Govt. he should be the first to set a good example. We had some very good races on New Years day and I afterwards had Raniera Morgan and Moses to dinner - and finished the evening by doctoring and patching up two or three broken heads. I am starting for the North as far as Te Kaha today. A large cavalcade accompanies me - with Morgan. I like the Natives very much and I am foolish enough to believe that the feeling is mutual. They brought large presents of potatoes etc. on New Years day and they are always ready to do anything I ask them. It is really wonderful that they are such a fine people considering the bad examples that have been too often set them.