Auckland 19 Decr. 1866 My dear McLean I have been away in the Waikato or should have replied to your notes sooner - You were quite right in directing Colonel Harington to send back the Sturt to convey the settlers from Waiapu and Poverty Bay to Napier. I presume you consider your immediate neighbourhood quite safe or you would not have sent the party to Wairoa, but I hope that they will all soon be put in possession of their land, so that we may proceed to raise our Police Force - I am glad to see the Nelson report that the late disturbances cost over £50000, contradicted by your newspapers -I am afraid the "Sturt" will not be back with your guns for a fortnight, as I am obliged to visit Tauranga to arrange difficulties, and Opotiki as well, about the location of the Military Settlers - As I dare say you are aware the land at Tauranga is of a very broken character, and much of it unsuitable for settlement. There has been much rain here, and great quantities of hay have been damaged. The farmers are however faring well, but the Town is dull and the merchants desponding and irritated with the Government. The Northern Association continue to assail me, but I don't heed them. Whitaker is being greatly abused for the East Coast Act and Native Land Amendment Do. Yours very truly T. M. Haultain