Mount Herbert 7th June 1863. My dear Maclean I have recd, your favours of the 1st and 4th inst., and have also had a visit from Mr. Locke - with whom I have had a long conversation - Everything here appears most tranquil, but the Natives evidently are waiting to hear a Report from Karaitiana which may be daily looked for. Hori Nia Nia tells me there has been very little talking among the Maoris yet about the Taranaki business. Hiraka, Hori's son is going down to Napier with his team of Bullocks - hired by me - to bring- up a new Dray and load of goods; I shall give him a line to you and perhaps you may extend some informn. He is as much of a Pakeha as a Maori having lived for years at Woburn. Mr. Cooper has asked me to do his duty for him during his absence to Castlepoint and Wairarapa which he says may probably extend for a I think it a pity that tee should be so long away at this particular time unless the public business, in which he is concerned, is very urgent indeed. Should any Nativte cases arise I think it would be very awkward to have to confess there was Might I be allowed to suggest that the Chairman of the Bench at Waipukurau - which office I now hold - should have the powers and functions of a Resident Magistrate. If you approve of this you can write to Auckland and get the appointment gazetted at once. It would be sufft. simply to gazette me as a Resident Magistrate at Waipukurau - of course. This would not conflict with Cooper's appointment, but might tie useful during his necessary absence at any time. I have to attend the Court at Waipawa on the 11th so will not be able to reach Napier to meet the steamer. I don't think this, however, signifys much, as Whitmore, Locke tells me, wont be back by the steamer. This goess by my servant who will , and I shall be glad of a line from you just to give me an abstract of what has taken place. If you can send me one or two Auckland papers pray do. I have desired my Messenger to come away as soon as he receives the Mail, but to wait for yr. letters inland if you have any of urgent importance. I wish him to be at Waipawa again by 2 P.M. of Thursday. I have heard from Ormond whose views very nearly agree with mine as to what ought to be done for the public safety. He proposes that you should come inland and have a Meeting at my house with a few of the principal Settlers after the steamer comes in. Let me know your notions on this point. If there are no funds placed at yr. disposal to raise an efficient mounted Police force, surely there is as much British spirit among the settlers as will induce them to raise the necy. funds. I am prepared to subscribe £100 towards Defence fund - or I shall mount two troopers free of cost. You may start the thing if you approve I feel confident we could raise a couple of thousand pounds - in this way. You may rely on my being very discreet about commenting or communicating any inform. to anyone likely to spread it detrimentally to the public service. There ought to be a horse provided for the extra Policeman at Waipawa, and ah allowance shd. be made to the Policemen for the extra outlay to wh. they will be subjected by being so much moved about - This is only fair. For instance Foulger was kept six days in Port waiting for the steamer - this would cost him nearly 10/s a day for himself and horse - an expense wh. it is unfair to expect him to pay. Can't you set some of our Maoris to work between Waipukurau and Waipawa at the Road? There are a number of young men at Waipukurau at present who are always clamouring for road work? Occupation combined with profit is the grand thing. Yrs. very faithfully H. R. Russell I have also seen Lambert and got all his news.