Mohaka Febr.4th 1866 Mr. Mclane Dear Sir I have no doubt but you or the Promoters of the requesition in your favor for a seat in the General Assembly had grounds for being anoied at the apperantely bad reception it got in Mohaka I will not atempt to explain to you why it was so, but simply asure you that the apperant want of intrest in your cause by me and others was to secure the whole of the Mohaka - votes for you which I now think you may depend upon at least sixteen from this Place on the whole the People here are not incencable to the readyness you have allways shown to do them juistace and your kind ataintion to there wants and complants but of course there will allways be some that do not see or know what is good for themselvs and those ar the ones that have to be dealt with thare Pride has to be gratified by puting them forward as the apperant Promoters of what they would otherways bitterly apose. I do not say that it is even your wish to be returned but this I say I used my own judgment as to the course I should take to secure for you all the votes that I could - when in Napier last I felt vexed to heare from Mr. Maltley and others that because you oposed me geting a saleray as Pilot at Mohaka was the reason of your requesition not being signed I think you will beleive me when I say that had I the Powr atributed to me or such confidence reposed in my judgment I would be far to Proud of it to turn it to such selfish use I will say no more of this as Possably it may be of no intrest to you. You will have seen by the report of the chairman of a meeting held at Mohaka for the Purpose of considering the cheapest and most advantg. way of building a boat shed I think the Plan agread on by the meeting is fair and I think you should grant it they purpose to offer £30 in labour and timber in building it the government onley to suply Iron for covering and to grant the ground it a Pitty to see so usfull a Boat destroyed I have used her five times in two month in taking vessels out and in but she will soon go to wrake without a shed and Paint I may refare you to John Campbell as to the nesicity for a boat at this Place. Dear Sir as I felt gratified at your good openion of my conduct towards the natives I venture to give you a few hint which you may take for what they ar worth. I heare that a native of Mohaka has told you that Paul would not give him arms to go to fight but Paul had none to give him at the time as you yourself know and I wish to let you know allso that this same native is the leader against Paul his falt is ambiation and love of Powr and he thinks that because he is minister and on that account has Powr with the People and by stiring them up against Paul he will gain his object which is to be maid Magertrat and get his salary - I have nothing to say against this man further than that he is ambitious and rather decetfull but he is clever and can empose on aney one that has not some knolege of him. I hear than Cohoo of Wairoa has given him arms I think it would ben better if suficent arms had ben given to Paul to supply them with as they tant Paul about not being at the fight and say that Cahoo is thare Chief and Paul says he wishes to obay you in everything and he had no orders from you to go to the fight or he would have you Paul I know is anxious to do his duty and I do not think he is Pleased that even Kopira shoud have powr given him over his people I have maid this longer than I entended and hop it will not be tirsom if thare is aneything worth your knowing it will give me Pleasure to have able to tell you. I hope you will grant the request of the settlers of Mohaka thare request in the matter of the Boat shades because it may effect a boat or two and would be a great public good I do not write to you as Superintendent. I remain, Yours truely John Sim P. S. Pauls men have just brought in ten hauhaus as Prisenrs they have been out a week. J.S.