Auckland, August 17, 1871 My dear McLean, Te Wheoro and his friends the Kupapas are on the way to Kuiti. I have sent Mair with them; they are all so positive that it is going to be light at last that I thought it prudent to go with them to that extent, so that at least we may have the native and the European report of the proceedings. I will let you know immediately if any thing good comes of it all. I got tents etc. for the native party to use on the way; the weather being still vile. I have seen Vogel and had just a moments talk with him. He is besieged today by all and sundry and has not been visible to me. We are looking for the first reports of the session. If the King will graciously allow the telegraph lines to be finished it will be very jolly. I wrote to you about the Thames foreshore and asked for the money to buy up the claims I think it can be done. I have an offer today of four acres next the Grahamstown wharf for £100. If I can just catch fish I shall get the whole. O'Keefe has been busy in his character of Native Protector and says he is going to Wellington presently. I enclose a letter from him to you which as it was not marked private and looked official I opened. I have a message overland from Tauranga today about some allotments that were in the list for sale. They got put up at the request of David Graham but were withdrawn before the sale. Yours very truly, Daniel Pollen