Wellington, Octr. 6th, /60. My Dear Sir, The Judge and a few others are much afraid of the Maories in consequence of a metg. wh. has to be held at Waikanae in 1st or 2nd wk. in November accordg. to announcemt. as formerly reported to you by Mr.Searnacke. The Europeans talk of an attack next week - of 800 men havg. crossed over from Q. C.Sound - and all such like - quite enough to produce a panic. That they require Block houses in various parts for temporary protection etc. there can be no manner of doubt; but beyond being a refuge for women and childn., they cld. render them but little service, in a hilly country like this. I have often thought it very fortunate, that the Compy. of 65th were removed from hence at the very commencement as otherwise I really believe the Maories in their first exasperation wld. have had a fling at them. There is to day a Mtg. of Magistrates (to wh. I was invited) for urging on Govt. measures of defence etc. Had I been there it wld. only have been as a listener out of courtesy but other things have prevented it, so I can not tell what is said or done. I have been to the Hutt on purpose to make inquiries - but all I can learn is that such a Mtg. will be held, from considering chiefly who are determined to proceed to Taranaki. The fact is, if present opportunities are wasted, I believe that many of these people will either go there, or do miscnief here. We are now suffering more from inaction than even from want of success - and I believe we shall never fully recover our prestige again with this race. This Otaki affair has required much circumspection nor have I dared yet to appear in it. But have written to Mr. Duncan and sent or persuaded Searnacke to go to day since My duty will be chiefly that of verification, and I rather imagine from all I have heard, that Mr. Hadfields case will not appear so pure, as he represents. Had I made more haste in appearing personally, I shd. have thwarted every chance of coming at the trouble. Please explain this to His Excellency, as he may desirous of an early report. I am now starting myself and expect to find the affair well searched into. I can then do the same myself. Yours truly, H. H. Turton.