Dec. 1/68 My dear McLean I cannot see why the telegraph department should have the office at the Spit for nothing - I would rent it to them for a term of years at a moderate rate, or give them the use of it for 2 years for nothing - Mr. Peacock says Mr. Speedy would suit the office of Inspector of sheep best and I always think it important to the Public Service that the heads of departments should approve of the men who have to work under them. Before I got your note to day the thing was done Yesterday I sent off Mr Speedy's appointment not knowing that you had not consulted, or wished to confer with Ormond and Kennedy - Mr. Peacock wrote to Mr. Ormond yesterday recommending the appointment of Mr. Speedy and I have no doubt that Ormond will approve - Speedy is a well known man of practical experience in the diseases of sheep for many years past - I am so at a loss to account for the strange action taken by the Gen. Govt. that I shall come in tomorrow morning again - It is incredible to me that they really mean to abandon Wanganui. Murders must rapidly follow in the scattered districts near Turakina and Manawatu if Titokawaru is the savage we take him to be. What can the public of Wellington think of such a step? If the women and children at the West Coast are murdered through this contemplated act of Stafford and Co. I should think Judge Lynch will be paying a visit to Wellington ere long - When are we going to take vigorous action in this demented land? Why are not some 5000 diggers armed and the volunteers ordered out in the South? Old Govr. Grey would have had a couple of Regiments of regulars in the field before this. Yours truly J. Rhodes