Wellington, 10 Sept. /70 My dear Maclean, It was with much regret that I learnt from you yesterday that you have some hesitation as to laying upon the Table the Papers respecting the Mongawhiro and Taupo Road. I feel bound to ask you to consider the position in which this case stands - Some weeks ago I mentioned to you my wish that these Papers shauld be produced, stating at the same time that if the Govt. would lay them on the Table, I had no desire to raise a debate by bringing forward a motion on the subject. You stated that the Govt, had no ohjection to the production of the correspondence, but that there was some of it of so importance, and that I had better look over the original Papers and note those which I wished to have produced. I did so, and returned the File at once - Subsequently you shewed me the Papers copied ready to be laid upon the table, but said that, before doing so, you wished to look at one or two of the later letters - A few days afterwards, upon my asking you when the Papers would be produced, you said it had better be deferred until there could be added a report from Mr. Halls, who had been instructed to report on the Road - Soon after this you told me that Mr. Halls was expected in Wellington, and that you would rather wait until you had seen him. When he had visited Wellington, and returned to Wanganui, you mentioned that you hoped soon to receive his report, when the papers would be produced - About a week since, as the papers were not forthcoming, I again spoke to you, and expressed a hope that if Mr.Hall's report was not received before the end of the session, the papers would be produced without it, you said that this would be done - Nothing farther took place until yesterday, when you told me, as I understood you, that the Govt, thought the papers ought not to he produced, because the Surveyor, Mr.Pield, had written on unjustifiahle letter to Mr. Fox - If my statement of facts is correct (and I think you will agree that it is so) I feel sure, that on consideration of it, you will admit that no letter from Mr. Field can be any reason for withholding the Papers which have been so frequently promised me - If Mr.Field has done any wrong, let that be dealt with as it deserves - I cannot see that it should interfere with the production of an official correspondence which is of considerable public interest, and the earlier portions of which have in fact been already printed and laid before Parliament. At an earlier period of the Session, I could of course have moved for the production of these papers, and in doing so have endeavoured to convince the House of the necessity for such a step. I have however from week to week allowed my opportunity for doing so to pass away, on the faith of your promise that the Papers should be produced without an Order from the House, and I have now no alternative but to claim the fulfilment of your promise. Yours mt. truly John Hall