Auckland 30th June 1869 My dear Dr. Pollen, I forward enclosed a copy of a private letter recd. from Clarke last mail. There is no intelligence from Moule or Searancke I found the latter obdurate to all but his own views - so telegraphed to rouse him up - vide copy of message enclosed. I hit him rather hard because I believe he is a man to be managed in that way, when he comes in contact with a stranger, as I am to him. The line to Mercer was only restored last night, having been down since Sunday. The gale of that and the following day blew the rotten poles down for miles between Mercer and Papatoetoe. As Clarke reports that Rewi has asked the friendly natives at Taupo to allow Te Kooti to pass through their district unmolested I have judged it time to request Te Wheoro to reoccupy Rangiriri, and telegraphed to him accordingly yesterday. But our most pressing need is the want of steam communication with Tauranga. Had I authority I should makes an arrangement with a suitable vessel at once. The want of this link may be disastrous to Waikato or Tauranga, or both. Of course we don't know that it will be so - but that is a risk, and not an inconsiderable one. I have not seen or heard of Mackay since I wrote to you last about him. It is not my intention to move in reference to Mackay without instructions. If he has any native intelligence it is withheld from me. Yours very truly, J. A. Wilson.