Wallingford May 4th./64 My dear McLean, I have yours of the 2nd. instant. You say the Gel. Govt. have written again against leasing the Plains in what terms do they write, is it a downright prohibition to treat with the Natives or what? On the way in which they put it a great deal depends. I think it would be a very good plan for you to take a run up to Auckland and see Whitaker on the subject, you might be able to do a great deal by a talkwith Ministers which cannot be effected by correspondence. I have reason to know that our little friend has embarrassed the Lease question a good deal by what he has said to Ministers during his late visits. My information tells me that he confessed great indignation at your and my conduct in reference to leasing the Plains. He forgot to tell them at the same time that he was a disappointed suitor himself. I should say if you can spare a week run up and see what you can do by a personal interview. I see what you say about Native feeling upon the blockade of the East Coast. We must I think run any such risk and consider it necessary for the general good of the Colony. In my opinion this Blockade shld. have been instituted long ago the Rebels have had large supplies from that source depend upon it. As to the Govt. giving any consideration at all to the effect of an act like this that was not to be expected of them. They daily prove themselves what they were believed to be when they were permitted to crawl into Office - iz. a purely Auckland Govt. staunch on the War question because it makes Auckland but careless as to what may happen to any other part of New Zealand so long as Auckland wins - I shld. hope their tenure of office will be short when the Assembly meets again. What did you do with my Mem. re Wellington Debt and Harts opinion. I gave it to G. Cooper to take to you in the rough not having time to re-write the original draft I wished a copy of it to be attached to Harts opinion and be ent to that worthy whose written opinion I have grave doubts about. Is the case against Mr. Colenso being proceeded with as to the validity of his Pro. Council seat. I hope so as it is the only way to lever him out of the other House and I believe a Supreme Court decision against him as Member of the P. Council wd. unseat him for the House. Monro's note to me showed lamentable ignorance of his powers - he could not uneat a Member as he seemed to think he could. The House itself according to the Act decides all such cases after a full hearing of the merits thereof. What reply do the Genl. Govt. make as to the operation of a "Thistle bet" being extended to Native lands. You wrote for such an opinion did you not. It will be needed as a reason for not preparing an Act. What about the various other Acts you promised the Council to prepare. If they are not got ready, as indeed may of them cannot be, pray look up the subjects and let us be prepared with sufficient reasons for their not being. You said something in a former letter about asking Miss Rye to get us some Female Emigrants. I should say 20 or 30 would be a great boon to the place. I have no more to write you and hope to hear that you make up your mind to take a short trip to Auckland. Yours always J. D. Ormond. The Wellington name for the present Govt.'s policy is a good one. They call it the driving policy and there is no mistake they are driving the niggers down upon us.