Taupo 5th February/58 Dear McLean, I was detained in Auckland some time after you had left the old story about Parker and his debts. Hori Pokai and Hoeti wishing to sell the whole of Waiheke and on my refusing to treat with them (for the good reason that there were about twenty claimants absent) Hoeti modestly offered about six hundred acres for £700 the amount of Hori Pokai's debts and on my declining was rather violent while they were in town Te Katipu arrived and they demanded an audience with the Governor. The Assit. Native Secry. took them to Govt. House and they backed each others bad claims up in a most praiseworthy manner, they agreed to settle the question at Taupo but on my arrival no Katipu no Hori Pokai no nothing. By the byewhile I was delayed by these people and Taipau I received a polite message from Col. Treasurer to say that my pay abstract would not be signed and myself dismissed if I did not leave town immediately, I cannot think he sent the message without some person having been trying to advance my interests and working him in to a state of irritation about me, I suspect Master Fenton to be the man, I was obliged to snub him he was getting too consequential he expects the Colonial Secretary and Native Secretary rolled into one, he is expert at a certain way of insinuating himself in peoples good graces having practised the same ever since he arrived in the country. I hear he threatens to make me reel the consequences of his displeasure, if the Col. Treasurer's message is a sample of his power he carries too many guns for me. I shall have to take more serious notice of Mr. F. impertinences than will be pleasant for him. Another great man, I mean as great as Mr. F. Hori Pakai has ordered me to be dismissed because I would not pay his debts with the Govt. money so you see I have manged to get into hot water since you left. I shall write to you at Wellington from the Piako I suppose you will return about the middle of March. The musquitoes are a caution. I have no news beyond what I have told you and that is not of much account. Yrs. very sincerely, Geo. W. Drummond Hay