Napier Sept. 10th. 1868 My dear Mr. McLean, Last night we received the sad news from Whanganui. What does the Government think of doing? So far as I can form an opinion from this distant point, it appears to me that they are trying to do that which past experience and their present reverses shew plainly that they cannot do. One reverse comes after another, and only makes our case the worse. The object of my writing this note is to express a hope that if any further operations should be contemplated on this Coast, the Government will place some other person in chief authority, rather than Col. Whitmore. He throws all the blame of his failure upon Poverty Bay volunteers; but if an enquiry were called for, it would be found that Whitmore, in the first instance, made use of such scurrilous language towards them, as entirely to destroy all chance of their co-operating with him. As far as volunteers are concerned, I believe there would not be one to serve, either English or Native, if he were in command. Believe me most faithfully yours (Signed) W. Waiapu. To:- Donald McLean Esq.,