Napier June 25th 1870 My dear McLean I shall not write much as I shall see you so soon. I have just settled the Taupo Militia pay question in terms of my Telegraph of yesterday evening - i.e. We pay £2300 cash and rub out all claims for Rations, advances etc. - the settlement is not a bad one and appears to thoroughly satisfy the Natives - Mangateretere I will tell you about when I come down. I fear you are liable under Cuff's deed for the rent - if so we must do the best with it we can - I have a thorough knowledge now of the case and can tell you all about it when we meet - With respect to your Run Worgan has now got nine names Kinross tells me to the mortgage securing your advances. Karaitiana will do nothing until he goes to Wellington I may perhaps bring him with me - I sent to your sister yesterday telling her you wished her to go to Wellington and that the Luna would leave here about Tuesday - she has plenty of time to get down and get ready - The Session seems to be gliding quietly on so far I expect you will have the fighting begin so soon as the Financial statement is made - the debate consequent on it will not get on until Thursday or Friday so I shall be in plenty of time - A man called Block a Dane who has been in the armed constabulary has called on me respecting Immigration from Denmark to Hawkes Bay of people able to pay their own passages. He does not know any one here but tells me he can give references in Wellington. He asks for no money only the sanction of the Govt. Will you see him and find out how he stands a settlement of Danes would be very suitable for the East Coast - The Star of the South is a complete wreck How she got to McMurray's (Toupa's bridge) no one knows - she ran up high and dry on the beach on a quiet still night. She is old and probably that accounts for it - The underwriters are made to pay for it in one way or another - There is nothing late from Waikaremoana I propose sending the Luna there on Monday morning and have arranged to get late news from the Lake by that time - The Waiwa's are getting tired of it so you must not expect them to hold out much longer. I get heaps of letters saying it is cold and they wish to come home - and pressing to be told to attack or come away - You made a mistake not to use pressure on the Ahikereru side as I recommended - The Urewera are just on the turn a very little would make them give in - if they see a chance of avoiding it they will not do so - At least that is my opinion - I hope they may - I am satisfied that a little pressure would end the matter and that they would surrender - Should the Wairoa's leave the Lake without the Urewera coming in, then it has to be done over again next spring - We shall see Hapurona may exercise influence my opinion is he will not induce Paerau and Whenuanui to come out - You will most likely have late news by Telegraph before this reaches so I will say no more - This new R.M. Rochfort is a fearful stick - It is too bad putting such people into place - He is a regular old woman and unless he improves very much on acquaintance his appointment will cause great discontent among the people here - He sits in grand state with a gown on - I must close the mail is leaving Always, Yours very truly, J.D. Ormond I hope to leave Tuesday afternoon