Wellington 31st. July 1871. The Honble. D. McLean, Sir, On Saturday, the day before yesterday, I had the honor of an interview with Mr. Bell on the subject of the Manawatu question. Mr. Bell appears to think that the remaining differences between the non selling malcontents and the Lands Purchase Department should be referred to a committee of the House during the next session of the Assembly. I regret that this additional delay should be thought necessary, because I believe that if one person on behalf of the Genl. Govt. another on behalf of the Prov. Govt. and myself on behalf of the Natives were cordially un-and/interruptedly to devote two hours to the questions in dispute they could be finally settled in that time. But as Ministers will probably act on their own judgements rather than on mine it is necessary for me to provide for the contemplated additional delay. The truth is that my clients are reduced to extreme distress by having had their resources tied up as they have been for so many years. It was with the greatest difficulty that recently prevented the arrest of one of them, Takana te Kawa - for debt, and even then he had to sell at a sacrifice such marketable chattels as he possessed - others too of my clients hardly dare to move about freely for fear of being summoned or arrested for debt. The fact that I frankly mention these things to you afford I think sufficient evidence of my desire speedily to settle the remaining differences between my clients and the Land Purchase Department, but if Mr. Bell's plan is to be adopted I do hope that the Govt. will in the meantime advance to me some money on behalf of my clients, on the security of an instrument registered in the N.L. Court by which the Land of my clients is made liable for the repayment of £1500 whenever a Crown-title is issued to them. I am compelled to make this application to you because until a crown title is issued I can only raise money on the registered instrument in the ordinary market - at a serious sacrifice - I beg most earnestly and respectfully that you will give me a definite reply on this subject at your earliest convenience. I have the honor to be Sir, Your obt. servt. A.M. Donald. Agent for claimants.