Napier March 24th. 1876. My dear McLean, Thanks for yours of the 21st. enclosing full report of Vogels speech which I have read. I gather from it that the proposals as to the form of Local Government are much more in accordance with my views than were the measures proposed last year. That is, that the County of shire system is to come before the Road Boards O that is a great improvement. Generally I think the Speech judicious - there is not a very great deal in it that is new. I am glad to hear Vogel is not going to press a too exacting action against the Provinces. The course that has been pursued of late has been most unwise and done at a time when the object of the Colonial Government should be to create confidence. Atkinson telegraphed me in respect to the stoppage of our land Revenue to pay for the surveys of confiscated lands - and says that he concurd with my views on the subject - the matter was to remain in abeyance until Vogels return. By telegram from Le Patourel received today I see that the Governor expects to arrive here on Thursday afternoon and to leave by the Luna on Sunday or Monday for Auckland. I think the people will receive him pretty well. There is none of the feeling against him that there was against his Predecessor and which made his proper reception impossible. There is not much going on here. The Natives are still feasting their visitors and as they have no stock of food this year owing to losses by floods they will be in a miserable position this winter. As it is, it is wonderful where they get the money from to spend on these feasts. I hear that the presents made at old Tareha's Pah to the visitors must have cost two or three thousand Pounds. Locke goes out every other day to Tareha's place to see how things are going. I dont think there is much mischief going on among the Natives just now. H. Russell is preparing to leave and it is said goes in a few days. I have not heard whether he has arranged with the Bank but at any rate he has no funds for the Natives and when he is gone I fully expect to see the repudiation movement break up. Little Sheehan is looking very dispirited and the Natives are all complaining that they can get no money. There is a general agreement being come to by the principal parties concerned in Native lands not to compromise or pay any money at present. Watt - Kinross - Heretaunga people and all interested in Native lands agree to this and it is a matter of certainty that the Repudiation business must break down from want of means. The Natives are scarcely ready yet for any action on our part. As soon as they are I will have Locke go about among them more and by degrees I expect we shall work them round. I heard yesterday that Henare Matua had withdrawn his opposition to the completion of the 70 Mile Bush Purchase so I sent Locke out to day to see the Natives at Tareha's place and enquire quietly if it was correct. If it is, it is the first move towards a change. I have your telegram of today and see you do not see how you are to get through all the visiting and other Native work required before the Assembly meets. No doubt you have plenty of it. I should think there is no necessity to call the Assembly until June.- that is the time which is generally expected. Thanks for what you have done for young Irvine and Hill's brother. I expect neither of them are fit for much. About Fannin I think he has rendered all the Returns now that were wanted and he has also done what he was directed about the land case.- a Mr. Talboys - in that I don't think he was very much the wrong - the man Talboys is evidently a troublesome fellow who writes a great deal and does nothing. You might ask Atkinson if there is anything not satisfactorily attended to - if there is I will see to it. We have had windy weather lately - changed yesterday to Southerly and very cold for the season. Now I must close. Yours always, J.D. Ormond. I am sorry to hear Tyler is no better he wants to come back by the Luna when she comes for the Governor.