Wellington, Sept. 8th, 1865. My dear McLean, I have guns by the Ashley and am sorry to have such bad news of the Coast - Also the Petition which I shall present at once and put the subject forward - I shall want you down before the Bill comes before the House to work up some of the Scotchmen, whose votes you can easily get. The first chance for you to get here by is the steamer of the 15th unless some of the Opotiki steamers touch at Napier on their return - If you can get away pray try and do so by that chance - I forget what day the Pro. Council is to meet, but if it does meet before the Ashley returns you must leave Rhodes to put it off for a day or two on the ground of seeing to this annexation Bill. I have seen Ministers about getting more men for the East Coast (our part) they have not an available man at this moment of Colonial troops. But promise me shall have some (a part) of the Opotiki expedition almost immediately. I will keep them going on the subject and keep urging reenforcemts. until I get them. In the meantime you may safely promise our allies help and encourage them to go on until they can be sent. Atkinson has promised this and we can depend upon him. The Airedale I hear has the 70th on board en route for Napier and goes early in the morning. She goes on to Auckland. The Govt. offered to send some of the 70th down to the East Coast but I declined this. We want none of the soldier fighting system there - In politics we are absolutely at a stand still, you will see by the papers the various Resolutions that have been on the Table, and occupied the House lately - They have mostly been a perfect waste of time - At the present moment the Separation Debate is going on two days have been wasted in it and the Auckland resolutions will be lost by a very large majority probably ten or twelve - The nearest division the Govt. will have may be on the question of adoption of the Finance policy - A great deal of difference of opinion exists on that - I feel strongly that the proposals for the Defence of the Colony are entirely insufficient and shall speak strongly about it altho' I probably shd. not vote against Govt. if my vote would turn them out - Old Fitz promises to go into the debts to us for Defence next week - the old sweep - Send me the name of a man for Coroner in place of old English who has resigned - ask Hitchings. Write a recommendation please for Charles Nairn to be put on the Commission of the Peace. I will get it seen to. Sewell is opening the Wellington Debt question I have kept the matter in abeyance pending your arrival. I cannot write you more tonight I am done up with 3 days heavy work. Remember me to all friends. Yours always, J. D. Ormond.