Auckland 29 May, 1871 Dear Mr.McLean, By this opportunity I send Report of what took place at the Meetings at Te Aroha and Ohinemuri. My Telegrams will have reached you before this, I should have done so at an earlier date, but the Natives were desirous that the result of the negotiations should be clearly ascertained before any Communication was made to you, in the hope that the final issue would have been more satisfactory than it is - We were all hoping that each day would bring about a friendly settlement of the question. We left Shortland on the 25 April for Ohinemuri, with The Ngatimarus, The Ngatipaoa in the meantime having gone up the Piako with Mr.Macky - On our arrival at Ohinemuri we found Te Hira ready to receive us and had postponed his visit to the Kuiti on that account -some of his immediate followers had already left for the Aroha in consequence of the rumoured approach of the Ngatihauas and the Waikatos -A meeting was held on the day succeeding our arrival in which all the Ngatimaru Chiefs took part - We also found a new arrival from Taranaki a near relative of Te Whiti's who had come by way of Tokangamutu, to see Te Hira, and was then on his way along the Coast to Tauranga - He talked in the most extravagant manner and had evidently made an unfavorable impression among the Govt. Natives. Nothing definite came out at this Meeting and it was arranged to wait until the Ngatipaoa arrived for a Meeting - In the meantime Messengers arrived with the news of the Waikatos and Ngatihauas and it was at once decided to move up and strengthen the small party of the Ngatimaru already at Te Aroha with Te Moananui at their head. The Chiefs requested us to accompany them in case any trouble might arise, so as to be ready to offer mediation between the two parties - Your letters in the meantime arrived and happily set their minds at rest. Irihia having come over and gave a favorable statement of the Intentions of the Waikatos. This service took us a week, and on our return to Ohinemuri we found that the Ngatipaoas had just arrived with Mackay and who also were determined to make a Demonstration and assert their claims to a portion of Te Aroha. Haora Tipa remained with us at Ohinemuri the other Chiefs going up in the War Canoes and Mackey with them. While at Te Aroha Mackey gave up a Flag for the Ngatipaoa Claim which the Ngatimaru refused to acknowledge and had it removed. During their absence it was proposed to carry the mail through as an experiment by Wi Hopihana but was overuled - As soon as the Ngatipaoas returned, accompanied by Te Moananui and the remainder of the Ngatimarus and the friends and adherents of Te Hira, a General Meeting was arranged, for Saturday the 12th May. All the Natives then assembled and the whole day was taken up in discussing the question of the Mail, no decision was come to, and remained an open question to be reopened on the Monday and Tuesday following - The matter was now talked over in a more friendly spirit - Moananui was not so reserved, and we still hoped that these conciliating measures would prevail. The friendly Chiefs believed that Moananui would at the last turn the scale but in this we have been disappointed. I do not think there can be the slightest doubt that they are warmly supported by the King's party, or they would yielded to the wishes of the well disposed Chiefs who are their nearest friends and relatives. I must apologize for giving you this detailed account, regretting that it is not more favorable, but every one tried their best. I beg now to recommend that no further attempt be made by the Contractors to carry it through lest it might bring on a Collision, which I feel convinced the Kings party would like to see take place. After consulting Dr.Pollen, I have written Puckey to that effect. Waiting your further instructions, I remain, Faithfully yours, H. T. KEMP