Otawhao Octr. 12, 58 Dear Sir, I received your note and in reference to the Maori King movement its chief object is to prevent the sale of land and the settlement of Europeans upon maori lands. The King's power is not to extend to the sale of land, but he is to keep the land for their children and prevent any tribe who may join them selling to Europeans --- On maori lands they only recognise the King as supreme, not the Queen, i.e. that all disputes are to be judged by themselves. Here they are divided in opinion, some say that they will only judge maori cases, others say that if a European living offends, they will judge and punish him --- and that on the other hand natives on European lands must be judged and punished by the Queen. I do not think that they contemplate for a moment any opposition to the Queen, that is what they would call opposition, but they consider, but that it is necessary in order to preserve their own rangatira tanga that they should preserve their lands and exercise Magisterial power in maori districts without reference to the Queen. All this feeling will in my opinion die away unless some case should arise to cause them to take a decided stand, as for instance any serious offence committed by a European resident on maori lands. Should nothing of this kind occur they have not energy sufficient or union amongst themselves to make the movement important. Wiremu Tamihana Tarapipipi is the ruling spirit. Potatau himself is neutral, or rather he exhorts them to be kind to the European. About a fortnight ago Potatau received two letters from Te Heuheu and Takarei Ngamotu of Kawhia in which they said that the King was "he" Potatau was so offended that he said he would return to Mangare, as he had not made any laws. Some of the runanga's talk of making Europeans living on native lands pay tribute to the "King" --- You must however bear in mind, that there is probably not a settlement of any extent where all agree to the maori king, while on the other hand there are many settlements where it has not a single supporter. Waikato, Taupo and Mokau are divided, but many who now sanction it would seperate themselves from it if they thought that it would lead to a rupture with Governmt. Te Poihipi of Taupo is now here on his way to Auckland --- He wishes to see the Governor while in town and as one of the most friendly chiefs I think thatit will be well for him to do so. If the Governmt. experience difficulty with the Postal line along the coast what would you think of a line via Taupo, and thence to Otara, on the Rangitiki river and thence to the sea. Te Heuheu would be the proper person for such a line and I think Govt. might save £300 by it say from Taupo to Otara 2 1/2 days or perhaps it could be done in 2 days. I remain, Dear Sir Yours truly Jo. Morgan D. McLean Esqr.