Septr. 2, 70 My Dear McLean I write in haste being crushed with work to tell you there is no chance at all of anyone in this district opposing Carleton except McLeod who certainly with all his faults is a better man than Carleton but he is flighty and could not always be counted on when wanted I think. I begin to like him better myself for the ability he has shewn in belabouring Carleton in electioneering speeches, but so few would vote for him that C would have a chance as a last resourse I would prefer him however to C some people here however dislike McLeod so much that they have proposed John Moses as a member for the Europeans in the District and I have said when asked my opinion that if the idea was carried out I would vote for him for lots of reasons. if you think well if the notion let us know and we will set up Johnny Moses If I was not obliged to refrain from openly acting in these matters now I could make sure of his return or almost anyones. it will be a hard hit to give C to propose Johnny even a man Sir who dosnt understand English Grammar not to mention Heathen Greek or Algebra. That Manawatu talk by Travers is all stuff, and he knows it, I have turned it all inside out in a few words in a Private letter to the Chief Jdge and if he thinks there is necessity no doubt he will give you the benefit as a grave argument coming from himself, peppered perhaps with a little law latin. how remarkably like a whale that the Court should delegate its powers and functions to the parties and trust to their settlement! on the contrary they were distinctly told that if they did not before a certain time come to an arrangement as to boundaries merely that the Court would settle the matter without them. it was however represented tham an arrangement been come to between the parties, and as to the natives ''being taken by surprise'' it was not so. their principal man wrote to me from Manawatu when the discussion on boundaries was going on to say he would submit to any decision of the court even though ''it ribbed'' him but would not submit to any dictation from Dr Featherston which was natural enough seeing they had been so long opponents. but I do believe that Hadfield and that party will never be content untill there has been some murder committed I am truly obliged for your news of my sons health I only hope he may continue well and turn out some good. I see you are going on with the spirit law all that can be done is to repeal the prohibition and at the same time grant licences sparingly or not at all in native districts where the Chiefs desire spirits to be kept a grog drinking minority will submit to restrictions when imposed or at least asked for by their own chiefs much better than they would do under the present inoperative law of entire prohibition. and, (a thing a very great consequence in the matter) information against Europeans selling could be obtained which cannot be done now. I think authority might be given to magistrates to seize spirits not under permit found in any house over a certain quantity in certain districts. this is only a suggestion I know it might meet with opposition - The evil be entirely cured all we can do is to mitigate tares will come with the what and amongst the unnumbered material benefits we have brought the natives we cannot help bringing some evils of which this is the greatest. in balancing the account in our consciences we must just put one thing against the other. I wonder if they will let you pass the outlawry affair I fear not. My Dear Mack I did not see till a day or two ago that you had got ''a handle to your name'' it is such a long one that I don't know how to stick it on to your address untill the next almanack comes out - well, you perceive I am again a true prophet. do you remember what I told you some time ago? but next time I see you I shall have another prophecy to make which though quite incredible will come out quite true, as somehow my little predictions always have -I congratulate you sincerely for you have earned the distinction and done something visible and tangible for it, and are more a credit to the distinction than it is to you I congratulate you because whatever soi disant Philosophers may say in contempt of such things so long as the rest of the world believe in them they are of a real practical value. I see however that in respect of honours theory runs neck and neck with practice here is FitzGerald given the same compliment as yourself. what has he - a theorist an improvisatore - a dealer in pretty unsubstantialities. I cannot for the life of me understand how he comes by this distinction except that they have given it to him for being a good fellow. ''When the Hurly burly is done'' I hope to hear something from you and what likly hood you have of making a ''new world'' for us we want a shove on before the next tempest comes but you may have observed I have never said a word about the ten million idea yet, and the reason is that I see it would take several volumes to say what might, could, or should be said of it, and also would take some hard thinking, and I can clearly see that there are two very different views to be taken of the affair one of which is for ministers only, and trusty adherents, and the other for the people who you have to govern for their own good and for their own good keep somewhat in the dark sometimes, notwithstanding that in these times they think it can't be done. You can see what I am driving at I believe. Yours faithfully F. E. Maning