Auckland July 17th 1871 My dear Mr. McLean I leave tomorrow morning by the "Luna" I was to have returned to Tauranga in the Cutter Hero but the weather has been so excessively bad that she could not leave - I am glad of the opportunity of having a comfortable passage - I have got my money all right and shall get the telegraph matters settled at once - Whiti is in the office drawing up a most elaborate report on the matter of the Waiuku lands - The picture he gives of the impositions of Europeans is most appalling - Our very wise statesmen have said that the natives do not require looking after - but I think the very reverse is the case. And if what Whiti tells me is correct the only wonder is that they have not all been driven into rebellion long ago - I hope you will have patience to read the report - If I see that it is too prolix I will send you a digest of it - I send you a letter which appeared in todays "Southern Cross" on Gillies' lecture which is becoming notorious - The letter is temperate and is well worth perusal. The writer's views on the "flower and sugar" policy are very correct and must be approved by every man who has the good of the colony at heart - I am afraid that you have not much sympathy from our own head officers in this Province - and I only trust that the House of Representatives will never place the conduct of native matters in the hands of the Provinces. I see nothing for it if it is accorded but disaster and ruin - I am greatly disappointed in Mr. Gillies - when he was elected I did hope that he was the right man in the right place. But I am afraid that the contrary is the case - He does not even take a moderately common sense view of the difficulties we have to contend against in native matters and can only be raising the difficulties he is for party purposes and for no other - I send you by present mail a letter from Brebans. Hone Te One has had an interview with Tawhao - and Tawhiao expressed himself anxious that Europeans should attend the meeting about to come off at Te Kuiti - Mair writes for instructions - Had he better not go? He can take with him a few trusty natives and will be able to give a correct judgment as to the sincerity of the "King party" - I can hardly reconcile the feelings Tawhiao expresses - with those inculcated at Te Whetu - Hans Tapsell account was very gloomy - Very faithfully yours Hy. T. Clarke