Wellington March 7th 1872 My dear McLean, I enclose for your information copies of telegraphic correspondence with Grindell relative to his proceedings on West Coast. He is as you will perceive strictly enjoined to keepthe Supt. informed of all his proceedings - to obey any directions he may receive from him, to show no anxiety to buy, but to tell the Natives that Govt. is ready to buy any marketable land offered to them at a reasonable rate by persons whose titles have been recognised by the Court, and for this purpose he is to distribute forms of application to all who apply for them, but he is not to attempt to induce anybody to send them in by persuasion. The fact is that Govt., having barred out private speculators, are in fairness bound to purchase whatever land the Maoris desire to sell, so long as it is of reasonable quality. Karauema te Kapukai has written a strong protest against the sale of any land between Manawatu and Otaki, copy of which I also enclose. He will be answered in terms mentioned in the telegram to Grindell - at least that is the answer I advised the Superintendent to give and he fully concurred. I am him carefully informed of every step that is being taken and he is much pleased at it all. He is of course anxious to have something to tell his Council about his success in purchasing, and I for one see no objection to his making a little political capital out of it, so long as the land is acquired for occupation by Colonists and no mess occurs. As soon as Grindell has collected all the applications it will be advisable to get a sitting of the N.L.Court with as little delay as possible. I have no local news to give you - no native news from any quarter. Everything is quiet. The absence of the mail is very provoking - the more so as the Yankees have managed by sensational telegrams to frighten all the old women into fits. The mail is closing and I must stop. Very sincerely yours G. S. Cooper