Napier May 27th 1872 My dear McLean I returned here this morning from Wellington and found things as usual sadly wanting looking after. It seems as though if you and I absent ourselves from the place that nobody remains to look after it - Fortunately for you I have no troublesome news to give you although Henry Russell has been lately more than usually active - He has been chiefly employed on the Kuramu of late and so far as I can gather has been principally employed on that and against Kinross in Raukawa - In the Kuramu matter his interference and shameless conduct is likely to cost the purchasers many thousand pounds and probably Kinross the same - He is as active as ever, has engaged a new solicitor from Auckland Mr.Lascelles, keeps his Native Interpreter Maunsell, and both are continually engaged in seeking holes in Titles - The feeling against H.Russell here is very strong but he cares nothing for it - has even quarrelled with Wilson and Mr.Tollemache and defies everybody. I fancy he is going mad but the mischief he is doing is very great - I wrote you from Wellington about the West Coast matters and Noake - after I had written your memo by Vogel came to hand and what between your Memo and one that Fox wrote in reply I was afraid of serious differences between you - However the whole matter was freely discussed between Vogel Gisborne and myself and Fox withdrew the Memo. he had written - The general wish of all of us now is that you remove Noake to some other district and let the matter die out - It is not worth allowing it to be cause of difference and Fox feels personally concerned - I think you may well allow the matter to drop and a few months will settle it any way that may be best and you desire - Vogel and Gisborne are both to write you about it and I promised also and hope you will accept our joint wish and let it die out. I dont for one moment urge that Fox is right but it is not worth letting a serious difficulty arise upon such a question - I shall hope to hear from you by return that you are content to do as we ask - The English news is very good but no doubt you have it all by Telegraph - nearly 2,000 Immigrants are in their way and plenty more to follow so that I think we shall have plenty of labor for our Public Works yet - Before I left everything was settled with Brogden - I think he is quite aware that he created a great mistake in allowing Travers to lead him into differences with the Govt. He is tendering for the different Railways as fast as he can make up his tenders - He gave a dinner at the Wellington Club last Thursday at which fifty people were present including the Judges and other principal officers and settlers. It is very late and I cannot write more - I have had a man shooting Wild Ducks today to send north and if successful you will get a couple of brace so please send for them say when you write when you expect to come south if you can come about the end of June it will suit me to go on with you - The Prov.Council meets here next Monday - I have had heaps of work lately. Always Yours very sincerely J.D. Ormond Hon.Donald McLean Auckland