Thames June 29th 1870 My dear Sir I accompanied the Hon Dr Pollen last week to Te Rerepehi to see Tarapipipi and the Hauhaus with regard to the Telegraph. We took Taipari and his father with us, and sent for Reihana te Tahua who is a Hauhau but who very ably supported his nephew Taipari in his arguments with reference to the construction of that part of the Telegraph which is still not completed - the only argument made use of by Tarapipipi was that he and his party were Hauhaus and unless the matter were asked for the whole of Hauraki he could not give back what had been placed in his hands by them - since our return I have got the final consent of Riwai and all those who originated this opposition and there is now to my mind no further obstacle. Dr. Pollen took Mr Mackay with us much against the wishes of Taipari who feared and I am sure not without reason, that owing to his animus against the Govt. he would do what he could to hinder us - However be that as it may I am glad now to be able to tell you that it is now in a fair way to be completed in a very short time. I am very anxious to hear from you about the collection of the rents. Mr Mackay refuses to give the Govt. any information as to what engagements are entered into by him with reference to the leases, but I shall I believe shortly be in possession of the requisite knowledge through the Natives. He tells me he was authorised by Mr Richmond to make private arrangements with reference to the leases and the Govt. did not wish to have anything to do with it I am told by legal gentlemen also that the restriction in the Crown Grants overrides the clause in the agreements which imposed upon the Govt. the paying of the rents to the Natives, but it appears to me that the Govt. are not the less liable for the rents collected prior to the issue of the certificates of title - I think the Govt. ought to call upon Mr Mackay for a return of all monies collected by him as Rents for the town of Shortland and a statement of the expenditure of such sum - he is surely bound to furnish a statement of what he collected during his term of office. I am exceedingly anxious that I should be instructed by you either to take the matter into my hands or not but the question to be determined is the question of the liability of the Govt. I am sending a letter from Wihiwhi and then through the ordinary channel. With respect to Te Hiras doings - I suppose you will get it at the same time as this - in much haste Your obedt. Servant E. W. Puckey