which have arisen in that direction were I beleive owing to Maories having been encouraged by Taranaki people to "try it on". That was certainly the case in reference to the instances I enquired into last year. The Middlemasses I have reason to beleive are very plausible and designing fellows, and Noake has thwarted some of their schemes either about Militia pay or other matters. The man Hirst whose name I have heard mentioned is a thorough scamp - was dismissed the Colonial Service for encouraging mutiny amongst