Napier Sept. 27 /71 My dear McLean, I have'nt much to add to what I wrote you Sunday night. There was a lot of Telegraph work yesterday but I need not repeat that - I do not like what I hear of the native feeling just now, nor our natives letting those Wairarapa messengers whose letter Ropata intercepted, go through our district and visit them without reporting what they were up to - I enquired from several of them what Wi Hapi and the others had said but they replied nothing - This is not as it should be. There is no doubt that the way they are getting quit of their land is making them bitter and dissatisfied but how to remedy it I see not - I have got no further with the negociations for the 70 Mile Bush, and do not care to press the purchase. Karaitiana is at the bottom of all the difficulty he is a cunning sweep and very obstinate. Rangitane are all eager to sell and they all agree the land is to go - the only question is the price and on that Karaitiana and a lot of these sweeps of Europeans tell them they have only to hang out and we must give them what they ask. It is very trying but there is nothing for it but patience. Master Karaitiana is to see me today I fully expect his proposal will be a big lump sum for himself. He is so used now to getting heavy pay that it is a matter of course - I had a talk with O'Rorke the other day about Rochfort R. M. and he promised to see me again about him - I have made careful enquiry now from all kinds of people and the universal feeling is that he is utterly unfit for his position - The idea is that it is quite useless taking cases into his Court and people act upon it - I have spoken also about the District Court and feel sure so long as he is Judge it will scarcely ever be used - I know nothing against the man except this general verdict of his incompetency The stories told about him are most ridiculous and if the quarter I hear is true the man is the greatest ass in creation - Old Carter came to me the other day and told me the trouble he has with him over his duties of Receiver of Land Revenue is extreme - now I am sure Carter wd. not complain without cause and if he complains of dulness you can judge what the man must be. You must please get Gisborne to shift him if it is not done soon there will be a general petition for his removal - The enclosed from Hamlin came last night from Tauranga - telegraph me what answer I shall send him as it must be an object to him to know - What do you mean to do about the Telegraph stoppage at Orakei-korako. It is a miserable little section of natives that are creating the difficulty, still it shows the plan of letting lines for construction by contract is not wise in native districts - A little trouble beforehand would have saved all this and there is no doubt the example is very mischievous - I hoped Clarke would have settled it but I do not hear he ever got as far as Orakeikoraka - Our season keeps very moist but we want some warm weather now. I must close. Yours always J. D. Ormond.