Auckland August 28th 1871. My dear Mr McLean I arrived here by "Lord Ashley on Friday night, I hope to be back to Tauranga early next week, although I am in a state of great tribulation - I came home to find my wife ill in bed of a malady which may terminate in worse than death - This and my not being very bright makes me miserable - I wish enough that you could see your way clear to establish my head quarters at Tauranga again. The air of Auckland is almost enough to sicken any one - However I am in your hands, do what is best and I must not grumble. I have telegraphed up to Mair to come down. Te Wheoro and party have not yet gone to Te Kuiti - and independently of the fact that I want to get the Tauranga Land matters settled before planting commences. I should like to see him and recommend a course of action for him to follow, so as in no way to compromise the Government. After all his great object will be to and not , and to leave the discussion of matters to the discretion of the Government. Mair is (I gather from a private letter from him) very sanguine that a better state of things - and a better understanding with the Waikato party will be the result. All our friends (Maori) in the Waikato are of the same opinion - It is necessary for the Waikatos to consider their position. The pacific policy of the Government is fast detaching the independent tribes who were, if not active supporters, warm sympathizers of the Waikato party - the defection of the Ngatiraukawa is a great blow to all Waikato schemes cutting the off as it does from the Bay of Plenty and Urewera Districts - The Pirirakau too are very lukewarm in their loyalty to Tawhiao - and I am quite cheered with the general aspect of affairs - Peace is all we want and the "King party" will fall away and become a thing of the past - I believe that the Waikato party see this, and want to come to an understanding with us - now - I do not advocate the idea of courting their favor - let all the appeals come from them and do not let us thrust ourselves forward - Very faithfully yours Hy. T. Clarke