Napier, January 25th, 1871 My dear McLean, I have put off writing to the last moment and must now do so hurriedly - fortunately I have not a great deal to write about - This afternoon I go to Te Aute on my way to Waipawa where my election comes off tomorrow. It is all right with no chance of any opposition - Yours went off quietly enough the whole affair being over in ten minutes. On the whole the Elections are going off well and there will be a fair sprinkling of new blood - All the prominent Men on both sides appear to get in without opposition - The Otago Superintendency and Prov. Council elections will test the question of opinion in the South and from what I hear there will be a close contest. Fancy that fellow Wakefield getting in for Christchurch - how is Canterbury fallen. He telegraphed the other day to Fannin for particulars of the row at Tauranga fancying as Fannin was Agent for Daily Times he would supply him with opposition information - as he telegraphed reply paid - I wrote a Telegram for Fannin to send the purport of which was that thanks to your exertions the difficulty was settled - I fancy this was rather a sell for him - I have telegraphed you at length about the Ngatiraukawa and am well pleased at the course they are taking. The Chiefs who are coming here telegraphed they desired to do so and I thought it well they should as it must serve to strengthen our future relations with them. When they come I will enquire cautiously about Road and Telegraph to Cambridge if they agree I see no great difficulty as the line would pass through their land the whole way - I will not urge it at all but just ascertain how the land lies - Really the King party is becoming very insignificant all that is wanted to upset it all together is to get Ngatimaniapoto separated from them and that you have already partially effected. Let me hear from you if I can proceed with negociations with Ngatiraukawa for Road and Wire to Cambridge, that is, if they are agreable, and eager for it, which I expect they soon will be. My road works are going on well and I am starting them in all directions where authorized and shall show great results before close of the year. They give me a great deal of work as much as I can possibly do but I don't begrudge it it is labor well spent. Ropata's expedition only left for good on the 16th when they started for Te Wera direct - It is quite on the cards that Te Kooti may be surprised and there is no doubt he is there. Porter reported the expedition left in good spirits - Tareha's messengers to the Urewera are returned with very submissive letters - They write now of themselves as Govt, people and as being entirely in our hands. They will collect at Ruatahuna as desired - what a change all this is. There is not much local news - Crosse of Porengahau was killed a day or two ago from a fall from his horse he leaves a family unprovided for. We have had a great many accidents of this kind of late, Widows and families left destitute, and the tax upon the people in supporting them is very great. We are looking anxiously for the Grey Telegrams now hourly expected. Mr. Fannin tells me mail going so I must close. Always, Yours very sincerely, J.D. Ormond.