Moorlands 10th Jany. 1872 Dear McLean, The Pakowhai school was nominally opened yesterday. There was a very large attendance of Europeans and after the lunch some small amount of speechifying. I did not think Karaitiana's tone satisfactory inasmuch as he attributed blame to the Government (and indeed breach of promise) in not leaving the whole thing in his hands whereas they never wished to take credit for a movement which was altogether Native - He also blamed the Missionaries and his observations must have been unpleasant to the Bishop who was present but declined answering him. I replied as shortly as possible and will enclose a report as I saw Mr. Carlisle taking notes. I imagine Karaitiana desires to increase his own influence by making his own place a centre for education etc. and that he by no means desires to see the same thing done all over the Colony. He particularly protested against Government interference of which there has been absolutely none so far as I am aware up to this time and I assured him there would be none beyond the occasional inspection. You are aware that they have chosen Locke Chambers and R.P. Williams upon their Committee so that it is in good hands - Locke tells me there were four candidates for the Mastership - Bissel - Rudman, Tenant and Curling and that they have nominated Bissel who was the Master at Havelock and I am told is an excellent school master. They give him £100 a year and the house - As respects the contribution by Government Locke tells me they have been promised two thirds but upon that subject I have had nothing to say - I delayed going up by the Albion seeing that I could not be landed at Waiapu and desiring to see Pakowhai and Amahia fairly in train first. I now propose to take the first Steamer to Poverty Bay and after arranging for schools there to go on to Waiapu if possible overland - With regard to Omahu I met Renata there some time since with Martin Hamlyn - He told me he was very anxious to get the school erected - said he had collected £270 for the purpose and shewed me the proposed site. I told him that I thought £200 would be sufficient to build the school of which I thought the Government would be willing to give half in accordance with the Act of 1867 - and that I recommended him to lodge the other £170 in the Bank, and that if they would at once nominate their school Committee no further time need be lost in getting the school erected - On enquiring yesterday whether they had elected their Committee I was told by Martin Hamlyn that Renata now says he was promised a larger sum than £100 and had consequently taken no further action. I should be glad to hear from you whether you desire that I should do anything further as regards Omahu as I was not aware that anything had been done and also generally whether you would desire that I should represent you and to what extent in schools, as questions will arise as to what amount the Government will contribute, the salary of Master - how it is to be paid etc. - I have myself no other desire than to carry out your wishes in such a manner as not to clash with any other action taken in the same direction - and when I am visiting remote districts to make the Government action as complete as possible before leaving them. Kinross tells me the next opportunity to Poverty Bay will be about the 15th or 16th. Yours very truly A.H. Russell