Wellington 8th Nov. 1866 My dear McLean I have your note of the 31st Oct. With respect to the East Coast we propose to act as soon as possible under the powers given by the East Coast Native Lands Act, and Richmond has some time since written to the Chief Judge (Fenton) instructing him to take steps to proceed under the Act. The Taupo chiefs are coming down in consequence of invitations from the Governor who proposes to return with them to Taupo. There is no evidence that any invasion of the Hawkes Bay Province by Hauhaus from the Wairarapa is likely - There are not more than from 30 to 40 men with Ngairo, and they are more likely to go to the West than to Hawkes Bay. There is no fund on the Defence Estimates from which a Secretary could be paid, nor, if there were, is it apparent why new persons should receive appointments when there are so many others who have claims upon the Govt. for past services (like Captain Biggs and others). On the question of expenses for Defence purposes I wish to say a few words. Haultain and I originally proposed to the Legislature Defence Estimates calculated (as we thought) to provide for probable contingencies. These Estimates encountered a determined opposition from a majority of the House of Reptives., and Resolutions especially condemning them were proposed. Instead of the Govt. Estimates being supported, as the Govt. had a right to expect, by the members representing Constituencies deeply interested in having sufficient means provided for defence, the Govt. was deserted on the question and FitzGerald's adverse resolutions received the support of these very members, and of none more decidedly than yourself and Ormond - while Whitmore did more than any half dozen men in persuading members to reject our proposals for Defence - The final result as you know was that greatly reduced Defence Estimates were passed, and if those latter Estimates fail to provide for services which circumstances may appear to render necessary you will have yourself and those who acted with you to blame for it - for most assuredly the Govt. will not provoke any opposition in the same direction by spending or proposing to spend any more on defence purposes than the amount placed at its disposal by law. That amount will be expanded by the Defence Minister who is responsible for the manner in which it is distributed, and no expenditure for Defence not authorized by him can be paid from the Colonial Chest - I have thought it right to tell you this to prevent any unauthorized Expenditure taking place, which otherwise you might incur - in the beleif that it would subsequently be paid - Misunderstandings - which are always more or less unpleasant - will thus be avoided, and there will be no necessity to provoke the Legislature by asking for larger sums for Defence than the Members of the House of Representatives (both from the North and South islands) were last session pleased to think sufficient. I am, dear McLean Faithfully yours E. W. Stafford