Napier 14th Sept. 1868 My dear McLean There is no sign of Whitmore or the Waipara yet. The Lord Ashley is just in Grindell has been out at Omahu I believe but he has made no report to me as yet - Could you not get a force sent to Taupo who with the Arawa might effectually shut the Tarewera gate of this Province - Such a man as Biggs who can speak the language, with a hundred good men would do wonders there to keep the peace this summer - A Settlement will have to be made in the Interior before anything like a permanent peace can be established in this land. Poor Atkins died of heart disease, suddenly 2 days ago at Homewood and is to be interred today. The company will miss the manager much who was above the average and had made many friends. I expect to hear letters from you tomorrow saying how my telegraph news was received by ministers and what chance of assistance here this summer - My feeling were much hurt at the death of two such young men as Capt. Carr and Mr. Canning - I enclose an official if you think it necessary to forward it do so if not burn it - It only applied yesterday to Whitmores despatch which was delayed by english news etc. - some little time which after all is of little importance. Mr. Grindell has just reported himself returned from Omahu - Will write you full a/c - Karauria seems to assert what he does not know in quite true as usual, but they are excited and apparently alarmed - Karaitiana, Karauria and Hapuku have been here this last hour while I write this are urging a supply of arms and amunition - I tell them that arms etc. will be kept in store here and issued to them as soon as any reliable news of attack arrives - They urge the policy of attacking the Uriwera at Runanga before they can enter this Province and destroy property - so do I if pro voked to do so. Yours very truly Joseph Rhodes