party advancing on him from Galatea side wd. effectually cut off his retreat to Waikato or Patetere. That is as effectually as it can be - If he wanted really to go he wd. not have the slightest trouble in getting any day or rather night he liked - that tells you what I think about the chances of an expedition after Te Kooti - I also think you should strike as quickly as possible - As to the West Coast and the Manawatu which no doubt is the most troublesome case there - if I had to deal with it I should try if I could not make use of the enemy - Fox wrote me on the same subject and not hopefully - If I had to do it I shd. use, or see whether or not I could use Hadfield's friends - S.Williams has lots of times expressed his belief the question could easily be settled I shd. try and enquire first what means he wd. take to settle it and if reasonable shd. let him try - You will settle it of course if you get the necessary time to devote to it - but I dont very well see how you are to - I have told Fox my idea about Williams - I cd. get him if desirable -