Wellington July 31st 1865 My dear Maclean I don't know whether Weld is well enough to write to you he has been a good deal out of sorts - so I give you this line to say how glad we are to find all the bad reports of your condition are mere tales. The information you giveof affairs at the Cape is most satisfactory. I don't like gazette puffing and we must wait till our men do more before we throw up our hats but in the absence of foolscap acknowledgments I hope you will let them understand settlers and natives at Waiapu that we all feel more than official satisfaction at the account of their proceedings and of their mutual good will. You will hear shortly of arrangements about Opotiki and I believe the Govr. will help you by the "moral force" of a few soldiers at Napier. These things you must keep quiet till you hear more from us. We cannot advise about troops - that is out of our programme and bought not to know or sa anything of intentions not officially communicated. But the information that such plans are on foot and will be executed as soon as the Wanganui river is clear of Hau haus may guide you in your action towards those prophets in your own neighbourhood I hope in a day or two we shall have our anxiety about Brassey and his men set at rest as thoroughly as was the case with you. The last news was that the Gundagai had got to Atene, the highest point ever reached by a steamer on Thursday the 27th. I hear that the native report was that there was to be no more attack on Pipiriki but that the Hauhaus intended to obtain the port again by negotiation. Remember me kindly to Mr. and Mrs. Wilkinson and believe me dear Maclean Yours faithfully J.C. Richmond Our 57 prisoners are in Pt. Nicholson about 20 Whakatanes among them.