To:- D. McLean Wellington. Sept. 12th. 1868 The men march down to the Sturt in an hour's time. I have written you fully by Mr. Biggs. Reports Poverty Bay in a very dangerous state. I expect Wairoa will be deserted, and so would this place if people could get away. Everybody is disgusted with a Government that strip this place of our few effective men, and we know that a rabble is no use. It is high time we were trained to arms, and sufficient arms sent up to arm our own people, as it appears we must depend on ourselves alone. Karaitiana wants to know if he could send hemi (?) and men to Petane. (Signed) Joseph Rhodes.