Napier, July 12th, 1865 My dear McLean, That confounded St. Kilda came in last night late and got inside the Trumpet (?) this morning before I heard of her. Of course once in there was no getting her out until tomorrow. The tide wd. not suit till 10 o'clock tonight and the old excuse that they wd. not take her out at night was not to be got over. We must get rid of Murray he is worse than useless. St. Kilda goes first thing tomorrow morning and Deck says will lose no time really by the delay as he will get up at a time of the day fit for communicating with the shore. The supplies she takes with what went by Eclipse will keep the men going for about 30 days you had better enquire what will be wanted. I fancy the groceries may be short but nothing else. I would tell Frazer to make a requisition for what will be wanted. The Egmont came in last night was here 2 or 3 hours and went on to Tauranga to take 352 of the Troops for there to Auckland - what does that mean? She brought letters from the Govt. about the two Financial matters. They want to take our claim on Wellington as a set off against the interest of the debt and say the Receiver of Land Revenue must impaired. - the claim for £835 for the Waipawa troops they wont pay either until further satisfied. From the papers I gather the Wereroa Pa has been re-enforced by 250 men, so that will delay our getting von Tempsky's force for the East Coast - there is no other news by the Egmont. Nor have I anything else to write you. Hoping you will have good news for us on your return. Always, Yours sincerely, J. D. Ormond. No word yet of the Mahia. Wednesday 10 o'clock, You left no word about Twigg. I told him to stay here.