Auckland, Novr. 25th 1870 My dear Mr. McLean, It is a long time since I heard from you but suppose your absence from head quarters will account for it. I returned from Waikato on the 12th instant I had a large meeting with the Ngati haua at Cambridge Tana Taingakawa and all the Ngatihaua principal men were present - the question of the allocation of the "returned rebels" caused much discussion Tana did not wish to hold the land under Crown grant - but that it should be handed over in a Black. This matter was warmly discussed but Tana had to yield the matter as the voice of the majority was against him. The truth is he would perhaps as a professed supporter of the King party hardly like to hold land under the Crown. This I gather from his remarks. I am very sorry to see how the Ngatihaua have gone down from being one of the most industrious and happy tribe of natives - they are now debased and miserable all through that wretched drink. I witnessed such scenes at Cambridge that I never want to see again. I gave them a talking too about it. I am quite a "turoro" again. I have been very unwell since I came back a touch of the old complaint but this time with bleeding at the lungs. I am afraid that I shall have to give up work altogether soon. I will being on as long as I can - but cannot stand exposure or fatigue. I got letters from Mair today Nepia Tohitatu and a lot more have surrendered to him at Opotiki - What is he to do with them? I think they had better be sent away to Turanga or somewhere. Mair says the Whakatohea people Awanui and Teirai are doing them no good they encourage them to make extraordinary demands. I shall be glad to have Hamlin fixed at Maketu he will do a deal of good there, and from his activity get things into proper shape. He wrote me rather a desponding note from Maketu the last time I heard from him - But I see that the principal cause of complaint has been removed - that of his appointment. I have just recieved by the present Mail a copy of Mr. Gillies letter enclosing to you a native letter of complaint about Motiti. It is a letter of misrepresentations and false-hoods. I shall report further upon it as soon as I get better. I am afraid Mr. G. is very hostile to this department. Excuse this hurried line I can hardly manage to write very faithfully yours Hy. T. Clarke