Napier November 11th. 1872. My dear McLean, I am very glad to hear you are enjoying your visit to the Station the weather is magnificent tho' rather too dry for the country. It is a great relief to me to hear that the burning of the Kai Iwi and Okehu bridges was not intended as hostile by the Natives - one or two such acts would do a great deal to unsettle the country again. As for the Europeans who are believed to have instigated the Natives I do trust the Govt. will do all that they can to expose them - if they cannot punish them. Re the Native Land Court at Manawau my opinion is that the sitting of the Court is undesirable and will place the Govt, again in a wrong position. Whatever decision the Native Land Court may arrive at, the Govt. will not be able to enforce and I think it a mistake for the Court to sit under such circumstances. I agree it is just as well to defer for a little communicating with Prendegast respecting the libel case till we hear what master Karaitiana is about. J.S. McFarlane went South by the Nebraska - she was gone when I got your letter. Old J.A. Smith was a passenger by her for England he has gone on to Wellington but returns by her - he is of course full of what he calls the wrinkles he has picked up at home. Nairn wrote me on Saturday that Henare Matua was holding meetings along the Coast to prepare cases for the Commission and that no end of old Wairarapa cases were to be brought forward. Of course the Com mission cd. not entertain such - to give you an idea of what the Natives expect from the Commission old Morena of Pourere is going to dispute the sale of the Hapuku Block. Believe me Yours always J.D. Ormond