Wellington Augt. 6th /65 My dear McLean, I have just seen Atkinson again about our claims for Defence and Troops at Waipawa. He has now agreed to re-submit these cases to the Cabinet and he also is to do his best to try and get a favourable settlement for us. I expect we shall get the money. Please tell Lambert I have seen Atkinson about the various matters I undertook to see about, but I have had no success in getting anything I wanted done. Biggs and Pearce are to be gazetted immediately, but Lambert's and Withers pay question I fear there is no chance with, A reduction of pay similar to theirs has been made in every case in the Colony and Atkinson is as obstinate as possible about it - There is to be a new Militia Act immediately - one provision is that no man shall be liable to be called out who resides 5 miles frok the centre of the District of any company. This will shut up our inland Militia and I shd. say the sooner the better for any use they are. There is nothing fresh. Yours always, J. D. Ormond