Bay of Islands 1 August 1859 My dear McLean I have not had the pleasure of receiving a line from you for now several months, but I know full well how much your time is taken up with affairs at the South. We are very much as we were When you left us. Just now, the news of the confirmation of the Bay of Islands Act has reached us and every body is on the move and looking out to see what the Government will do, but especially the Natives, to whom the promise was made by the Governor. I hope nothing may happen to throw discredit upon the Government. I hear of large additions to the purchases made at the South since you went down. The direct purchase movement is now pretty much at a discount in Auckland, neither do I hear of any sympathy for them in the south. The Survey of the Kawa Kawa Block has been finished, 40, 000 acres: one half of wh. has been paid for and is the best half. The other side of the river is principally claimed by Kawito's son, who asks for more than his fair share of the money. He will probably take it in a short time - a Block of 10,000 acres has also been completed by Kempthorne at Kohumaru near Mangonui - joining the Oruru Block, and the Campbells have nearly finished theirs on the Ahipara side also joining a Government Block - am now in negotiation for the best portion of the Victoria, and the western shores of the Lake including the wooded land adjoining the Okaihou District - Kempthorne is at Auckland finishing his plans. This is pretty well a summary of Land matters. Our friend White of Mangonui who was on leave at Auckland, and who much regretted not seeing you, is doing everything to help me for the general good, as well for his own District in particular, in the acquisition of suitable land; - If therefore something is not done for the north in general the whole of the Native people will be much exasperated. I dont know what ministers may think, but for the sake, it is to be hoped they wont grow lukewarm. You know, I am no Croker, but a crisis of this kind should be fairly laid before His Excellency, and I could not name it to a better friend than yourself, having the interests of the natives, as well as our own at heart. Think of this for us, and communicate with the Governor if you think well. I saw the account of the Governors trip to Napier and your Dinner to him, and when I think of friends Tom Fitzgerald, and Ormond, Superintendent Speaker of the first Council, it brings old times to remembrance. Domestic news we have but little - poor Mr. West is gone, he was with us a few days before his death - Mrs.Mitford died in her confinement and Mr.White is expecting to lose one of his little Daughters. Several of the principal old Chiefs are being removed this winter. Hope this may find you well whereever you may be: our united kind remembrances to yourself and dear old friend Strang. Believe me, Faithfully yours, H. T. Kemp