Napier December 15th 1870 My dear McLean I have yours of the 13th and will write what time will allow in reply on the deffirent subjects you name to me. First in respect to the Wanganui Meeting now that you know Rewi was not connected with the murder of Todd and could not have made the statement which was attributed to him in Mete Kingi information - I should think it was very desirible to meet him and Topia before communication can pass with Manuhiri and endeavor to secure them. I believe the King party (Waikato) did direct the murder and if they did it will be a difficult matter to arrange any. satisfactory adjustment of it. I do not expect a great deal from any meeting like that proposed to be held at Wanganui beyond that it might be the means of securing those who are inclined to be friendly. If for instance you can entirely secure Topia and the Wanganui river natives then the whole of this part of the Island all south of Taupo is safe. At any rate you wd. find out at such a meeting through your agents what was uppermost in the minds of Rewi and those like him. With respect to the murder any advice given on the very incomplete information we at present have is worth nothing I think it looks nasty but I hope it may turn out not as bad as it looks I perfectly agree with you that Time is doing great things for us and that another year will make incalculable difference in the possibility of future difficulties - With respect to discontent here at the location of the Urewera that is all over, my reply to the deputation seems to have been perfectly satisfactory so much so that an article which I am told had been prepared for the Times on the subject was withdrawn. I want you to act promptly in regard to the way the Urewera are moving about between the Bay of Plenty and Rua Tahuna. It is very necessary the Urewera shd. be met without delay and an understanding come to as to their position, if properly managed they would at once agree to locate themselves under the charge of those you might appoint. Unless this is done my action here and at Wairoa will be comparatively hard and all good from it will be destroyed - I know the difficulty of finding men to do this kind of work but I think instructions as to the course to take could be so given as to ensure the same line being taken in the Bay of Plenty as here. If that be done I think I see the way to arrange presently with the Urewera to assist Te Kooti's capture - I have been very cautious in my communication on this point with the Urewera but incline to think they see that Kooti stands in the way of their restoration to their own country. Several of our Natives Tareha included pressed upon the Urewera (of themselves) that now they had joined the Govt. side, they were bound to help when required. Tareha was very pleased with the position I put him in of being responsible for the Urewera - I am unable to report by this steamer details of what took place at the meeting with the Urewera. I gave you the outline in my Telegram of yesterday. I am not sure if the notes Locke took are worth anything. I looked at them and thought them very poor I cd. have given a better acct. of the native speeches from memory - Respecting the Manawatu question I cordially agree with the importance of the settlement you have made I have only one piece of advice to give and that is to have the Reserves immediately marked out and surveyed I daresay you have done this if not it is worth doing without delay - About Grindell his License ought to be cancelled it is a disgrace to have such a person nominally in the service of the Govt. I think you over rate his powers of mischief he is too far gone to do any harm, he is spoken of everywhere now by the natives as a Porore and no heed is taken of him - I wd. rather be free of any connection with him in the Manawatu purchase than otherwise. He can do no good and he may do harm if supported by the Govt.employment - Rogan tells me he called him a liar and every other term he could lay his tongue to - He must have been very bad for a decent fellow like Rogan to complain officially of him - Cooper can tell you more - Rogan is very proud of managing the Poverty Bay business - It seems Fenton sent him down because a failure was expected and Rogan has turned the tables on him - I have no doubt you ought to come here and see after your own matters which I believe require it - It is wonderful how this work engrosses one and yet it is right it shd. be so - No mans work is worth anything who is not devoted to it - still it is very trying and neglect of private affairs is a serious consideration in such times as these - So far as your Election goes that is all right we shall both be returned unopposed. I am taking the family to the station early next week where they will stay during the hollidays - I shall be back at Napier in a few days as I shd. not like to be long absent just now, and shall go up later and bring Mrs. O and the children back. Whilst away I shall keep up daily communication with Waipukerou Telegraph in case of anything being wanted - Please arrange with Gishorne about St John. He is now visiting Ngatiporu and when done returns here to report I do not wish him sent to Taupo and if he were Bold wd. be useless to me afterwards and now he is working well. I wonder Gisborne does not understand that sending an unprofessional man to report on a professional mans work must be offensive - I know Bold very well and have had great trouble in getting him to work but now I have interested him in what he is doing and he is really exerting himself and doing well, he has the best eye for Roads of any surveyor I have yet met in the Colony - Arrange please for St. John going elsewhere - You will see the proceedings at the public meeting about the Postal service. Vogel must arrange for the steamers calling here he can do easily enough - And now I must finish as mail is closing. Always - Yours very truly J.D.Ormond I see about S opening letter I always mark mine 'Private' on envelope - I have the honor to submit, for the information of the Govt., a return shewing the losses sustained by the rebels in killed and taken prisoners. From 28th Feby. to 21st May, 1870. Captured by Ngatiporau at Maunga Pohatu 51 A Tahana afterwards released under Rongo Pai 7 A Waioka by combined forces of Ngatiporau and Wanganui. Captives 302 Killed 22 By Ngatiporau clearing Expedition to Waikari Moana May 1870 31 Total Loss to enemy Casualty return of Govt. Forces. Ngatiporau Killed 1 Died from effects of march through the Urewera country 5 Wounded 1 Total 7 The foregoing return is in accordance with my notes taken during the operations to which they refer, and came under my personal observation. I have the honor to be, Sir, Your obedient Servant, T. P. Porter, Capt.N. Z. M. The Hon. Def. Minister, Wellington.