Auckland Novr. 1863 My dear McLean, The Mail has closed but Whitmore is under orders to leave for his duties so I write by him. I have just given him a large packet of letters for you - including the Loan correspondence. You must come up for a week by the steamer on the 16th - Yesterday I got together a Deputation to wait on Whitaker to ask what protection we could get on our Frontier. Whitmore was out of the way so that we did not get him with us. H. Russell, Stokes, J. Johnston, Colenso and myself were the deputation. I acted as the Spokesman. Whitaker replied to us. That for present protection he would endeavour to procure us an additional force of Troops to the number of 200 to occupy a post on the N. E. frontier for the defence of the District. He said however that the disposition of the Forces was entirely in the hands of the General and that he could not promise this. In relation to Military settlers and Roads be that if we could provide land for their eventual settlement that we should have men as soon as they could be raised and that the Genl. Govt. would in such case employ the men in the construction of one end of the great military road thro' the country from Auckland to Napier. No number of men was stated except that 500 would be the least number sufficient for the purposes in view, but he said that of course the number alloted to our Province would depend on the facilities we could offer for their settlement. If we had Tamaki in the 40 mile bush, we could readily procure another 1000 men if desired. As you will see a good deal is to be done at this moment, in getting our share of the means for the settlement of the country and you will I know come up and help in it. The Troops we shall probably get out of the 2 Regiments expected daily in the Himmalayha. I am afraid the General will not like to let them go but we must try. There is no more news from the front nor is there likely to be for some little time. The Miranda and Sand Fly are said to have destroyed a number of canoes and a Schooner up the Piako and Thames. Murders are committed almost daily in the out-settlements. The two great Bills (copies sent you) passed 2nd Reading yesterday. Both are likely to be amended in Committee. Little Whitmore was in a great rage yesterday at being ordered off and talked of resigning, of course with him that was mere talk. "Barrabbas" has said nothing yet as to what he means to do about the "Lands Bill" Hawkes Bay. I do not think he will dare to oppose to it. Poor brute, I almost pity him No one ever speaks to him scarcely and he must see that his position is a most miserable one. There is no more to write you of expecting to see you soon. Yours always, J D. Ormond. Mr. Burke will have to be seen and arrangements made for the alterations of the Mails in terms of the annexed Memorandum. The only difficulty is the Native who carries the mail on horseback to Porangahau from Waipawa. He will be told he need only go to Waipukerau or to go on Saturday from Waipukerau to Porangahau and on Monday to return to Waipukerau with the mail from Porangahau. Mr. Burke can no doubt make these alterations. J. D. O.