Wallingford March 30th/69 My dear McLean, I have had so many opportunites of holding intercourse with you during the last few days that I have not a great deal to say now. I recd. yours by the mail and see that you have made all the different arrangements for doing what you can to make our movement a general one. I have done my share in the same direction. First I will reply to one or two points in your last 2 letters. I see you have sanctioned the Wairoa natives moving against Te Waru and you have done right without any question. I daresay Ministers will check them if they can. About going to meet the Duke of Edinburgh I don't see how you can leave this with things in their present condition. A few days now must determine how we stand. If Te Kooti is not smashed by the Arawas we shall have him on our hands. Much depends on what is done just now as to the possibility of your getting away. It strikes me also that your position will be rather an awkward one as the Prince will be in the hands of Ministers whilst here. If you meet him, you meet him in their hands - it appears to me the position would be full of difficulties. Your Napier meeting I see was expected to be addressed by the Opposition. I wish I had gone down to have replied to them. With you not at the Meeting there is scarcely any-one able to deal a good crushing blow at the enemy. I wd. certainly have been down if I had known in time. I fear in the speaking at your Napier Meeting our side wd. get the worst of it. I shall be anxious to see the report of the meeting. With regard to the Petition and getting it properly and extensively signed trouble ought to be taken to get good men to take round the sheets for signature. I will give you the arrangements I have made which shd. be followed up in the other districts