Napier Sepr. 4th, 1866 Dear Sir, Everything goes on quietly here at present, but we should be glad to see you back once more. I am glad for that reason that you did not take the Native Ministers office. Major Whitmore is back and of course he is very much excited about what has been going on at the back of his run in the way of sheep stealing. There appears to be no doubt but that sheep have been stolen, but the number is not known. It seems to me, to be more a case for 'The Outlying Districts Police Act 1865', than for a declaration for war. We shall never have peace if we are going to fight over every theft etc. that may take place in the Colony. It is a robbery and ought to be first acted upon as such. I like the scheme of settling a regiment in the interior. It will be experience, but it will disperse that cloud of uncertainty that always hangs over the Taupo country. There appears to be strange management somewhere; for the other day when I was at Opotiki, Wi Kingi chief of Ngaitai, at Torere, who has always been loyal complained that his land was confiscated, and that certain officers stationed at Opotiki, told him, that he must sell his bullocks to them at four pounds a head, when they are sold at Opotiki for ten or more. Martial law is still in force there. The 14th Regiment left this morning. There was a great wedding here this morning, David Hunter and Miss Monteith. I was surprised to find twelve pounds odd for me at Catchpool's office the other day, I am much obliged to you for passing it, I never expected to see it again. There is a Mr. Anderson up here from Otago, He is gone up to the Wairoa by my recommendation. I remain, Yours truly, S. Locke D. McLean Esq., M. H. R., Wellington