Napier, April 23rd, 1872 My dear McLean, I have very little to write you about by this mail. Probably owing to old Hapuku's absence the Russells have been less active than usual. They are doing all they can to stir up the Natives to protest against Pukawa being made a Native Reserve, beyond that I have not heard of anything in particular. The representation they make to the Natives is that the Govt. is seeking to get hold of the land. I am waiting for Samuel Williams to return - when he does I will send Locke to meet the natives concerned in Pukawa to talk the matter over. Williams wd. have considerable influence with them so I think it better to wait his return. Vogel telegraphed me last night that considerable discontent exists at Auckland at slow progress of Railway work. Of course I have known this for some time and done my best to push on the work. Now all is ready and waiting for Brogden's tender. From last advices from the South Brogden will be back in Wellington in about ten days and I shall be there to meet him. The Mercer Railway shall be the first urged on Brogden's attention as it has been the first of which data have been supplied him. You can tell Vogel the difficulty I have had. I did my best to get Brogden back to Wellington to start the Railways ready but Reeves urged it wd. have had a very bad effect in Middle Island if he had come. The general conditions for contracts are now settled and no further delay ought to take place or shall if I can help it - A great deal however depends upon Brogden. He can raise difficulties and cause delays if he likes - from what I hear from Reeves I think he is less inclined to do so than he was - most likely this is because he is away from Travers' influence. I wrote Fox at the time you left telling him you and I had considered the question of my retaining the Superintendency and that I had fully made up my mind to do so and that we both felt we could not in safety to our own position here afford that I should give up the key to the Command of the place. I said that if it was thought it would be a weakness to the Govt. I was quite ready to retire and wd. help as cordially out of office as in. I thought it right to do this as at the time I took office it was agreed that I shd. resign the Superintendency. Will you tell Vogel the position of the matter. I had meant to write him but have been constantly interrupted the whole morning and now the mail is closing. I have just heard from Kinross that it is doubtful whether the Rangatira returns to Wellington. She will only come back to Poverty Bay and take sheep thence to Auckland this will delay me seriously if true. What is the Luna doing, could she not make a trip down the East Coast to Wellington. Of course if the Rangatira comes it is all right I shall go to Wellington by her. It is important I should get down soon, at any rate in time to meet Brogden. I must close. Yours always, J. D. Ormond. Remember me very kindly to Vogel. P. S. I send you for your own and Vogel's perusal Gisborne's last letter to me and Reeves to him. You will both see what Reeves says about Middle Island jealousy of North Island work. My own opinion is no harm has been done yet by the delay in the Railway works and that the Immigration stream ought to be flowing in before we can do much. J. D. O.