Camp Ngaruroro 18 January 1866 My dear McLean, I am sorry that you should have had so much trouble on my acct. This has arisen from a feeling of jealousy in the Militia office at your being placed in a superior position to the Officer Commanding the Militia. I am fully aware of what my duties are as a n officer both as regards discipline and enforcing it with prudence on others. Is is not the duty of an Adjutant to report me personally he is only the medium and has no right to write you such a report himself his duty is to carry out the instructions of his Commanding officer and Col. Whitmore. Fraser told me before he left for the Wairoa that I was under you alone and I have acted accordingly. The Military settlers had nothing to do with the Militia office before Lambert took command with the exception of their issueing arms and clothing; we were under the Commandant of the district as a matter of course and everything went on smoothly as it would now if they would not interfere with us. Fraser is quite capable of commanding his own officers and men without the assistance of the Adjutant of Militia. But if you wish I will in future report through the Militia office on all matters relating to the Corps, and on all matters of importance to you. I have now been 3 years in the Colonial service and have never had a wiggin before; I am heartily sick of subaltern duty that if Fraser gets further promotion +I shall of course get the Company otherwise I would give it up. Yours very truly, Edmund Tuke P.S. The "horse" has been down twice and is a horrible stumbler.