Wellington 17 October 1866 My dear McLean, We were taken quite by surprise, and were highly pleased at the intelligence we received yesterday of your most successful expedition, ending in the complete destruction or capture of the Hau Haus who had invaded your territory, and all this accomplished by means of the Militia Volunteers, suddenly called out for the occasion and I congratulate you very heartily on your admirable arrangements in getting such an efficient Force together in so short a time - and bringing them so promptly down upon the Rebels - We shall send the St.Kilda tomorrow to Napier to take the prisoners on at once to the Chatham Islands - and we propose to send a Guard of two subalterns and 20 men to remain on the Islands for a considerable time - These men are to be taken from the Military Settlers whom you have with you, and they will receive 1/- a day extra whilst so employed. The officers also must be from the Mily. Settlers and we will bring men in from Waiapu or Poverty Bay to supply their places, but I shall hope to arrange all these matters with you shortly, as I propose leaving this next week in the "Sturt". We are sending you the ammunition you ask for by to-day's steamer - but the arms must wait till I come up, and as you have some 2500 in the District I hope no inconvenience will be occasioned by the delay. I am going to take some to arm Volunteers in Poverty Bay who I understand by the papers are anxious to enrol themselves under Capt.Westrupp - I remain Yours very truly T. M. Haultain