Napier, March 3rd, 1871. My dear McLean, I have not a great deal to write about - separately I have told you all about Mangateretere and the substance of it is that that question cannot be pushed on by Fulton before 9th May - This gives plenty of time for consideration. I see by the paper this morning that Featherstone has in his speech to the Provincial Council condemned your action in the Manawatu case and encouraged a demand of £1 an acre for the Reserves given back to the Natives. This is very unfair on his part and his action will I am sure be universally condemned. It seems to me he never could have understood the bearings of that question or the issue at stake. But I think anyhow considering your action was taken as his Colleague and with the assent of his other Colleagues that the course now taken by him is most extraordinary. If I remember rightly he over and over again proposed to leave the matter to you as Arbitrator - Altogether I am very sorry he has taken so unfair and unwise a course. Gisborne is still south and I see they have brought a charge against Lemon for furnishing Gisborne with a copy of Stafford's Timaru speech. I dont hear how the case with the Daily Times is going. Fox is in Wellington with old Sewell - the latter is very innocent in all Native questions. I sent a copy of my official report to you on Ngatiraukawa's visit, to Wellington, and received a very fussy Telegram that he had written to you upon the subject. A few days ago he enquired when I expected to be able to connect Taupo with Cambridge by Telegraph, and just before that he asked me to report on feasibility of running Cobbs coach from Auckland to Napier. Last evening brought a Telegram from Moule which of course went to you also, from it, it wd. appear that Kooti is at or near Pa Puni and that Ropata is after him. Pa Puni is not far from Waikaremoana and between there and Ruakiture where Whituene had his engagement - I felt pretty sure Kooti was not far off by the facility with which the Wairoa Natives communicated with him and also from - letters I have heard of passing between Hamana and Kooti's people. This does not look over well on the part of the Wairoa's and may account for old Ihaka Whaunga warning to keep a look out on the Tribes that have lately come in. Yesterday I received your Telegram agreeing to Whenuanui and Paerau returning home. I am to see them on Monday and will then act as you recommend. Tareha will take them back I think and I will make the most of it I can with the Urewera. Matters in Waikato appear much as they have been of late - I incline to believe that Todd's murderers will be given up if they are firmly demanded - I have not heard from Maihi and party since they went back, probably they are only now getting back. I arranged he was to open communication with you on his return and promised he would get some assistance in food from Cambridge for the proposed Meeting of the Tribe - anyhow I shall hear further from him when he gets back and Meeting is arranged. Poihipi and our Taupo friends are very jealous of Ngatiraukawa their land claims clash and altogether there seems strong feeling of jealousy between them - Of this I take little notice. The Road works are going on well and we shall soon reach Niho o te kiore. I see you have arranged for Turner's work to meet Bold's there. Please let me know what Coast work you have arranged for Turner to do - Bold understood from me he was coming down to Ngatiporou country - If you have work for him as I expect is the case on the other side East Cape please keep him there. I have a man called Drummond (C. O' Neill knows about him) at work at the Poverty Bay and Wairoa roads and I had laid my plans for him to start those works and then go up Ngatiporou Coast road and start that. It wd. be an advantage to have that work to do as I must have some one to overlook the works and his spare time might as well be occupied in exploring and attending to other works in the same district. Will you let me know if this arrangement will suit. Drummond is now at Poverty Bay laying out some work there and then attends to inland woad to Wairoa and Wairoa roads - The 70 Mile Bush work is going ahead well 200 men being employed on the works. I have a Meeting on the 15th about the purchase and Karaitiana tells me it is settled and that we shall conclude it this time I expect a heavy fight as to price and Reserves. Still it must be bought before the Assembly meets - Our Provincial elections are going on - they are very quiet. 'Bill Colenso' is come out of his Shell again and returned for the Prov. Council. Altogether I think the new Council will be a very good one. I am corresponding with Fox about the steam service last Court old Sewell still is trying to make me assist from Prov. funds but I dont think it is fair. I daresay it will be arranged. I am very busy as usual, in fact have more to do - than I can do. I wrote you some time ago about the House - but I must continue to keep it as long as I go on with this work - so please make no other arrangements. We have had some- heavy rain and the feed is very luxuriant all through the country - and now I must close. Always, Yours very sincerely, J. D. Ormond.