did not -- your Govt. would not hold office a day after the Assembly met. There is one thing the public of New Zealand would never sanction and that is permitting the Maori King to shelter a wretch like Kooti -- No matter what the risk -- if Kooti goes there we must go after him. This is of the country and to follow any other course would be ruinous. I sincerely trust you have avoided this complication and that ere this our forces have succeeded in bringing him to book. I received your letter covering instructions to McDonnell desiring him to move from Tokano to Tapuaehararu. I wonder at your not feeling assured I should have acted. Of course you have known long ago that your despatches met McDonnell joined by Topia and Kemp at Waimahana that was on the 20th.