Auckland May 31, 1873 My Dear McLean, The telegrams will have given you a general view of the situation in Waikato. I think we shall succeed in keeping the peace and that will be something, but the danger is not over yet, our very active preparations and firm front may avert it completely. I send you letter from Maning and its enclosure. I dont know who the writer is. Maning was here this morning and read an extract from a letter by the same hand in which certain Missionary parties are denounced for advising Ngapuhi to sit quietly and not interfere in this quarrel between the Government and the King. I send also letter from Young Mohe Tawhai to McDonnell - McDonnell has just returned. He has succeeded in settling Bakers old land Claim at Mangakahia and is having the boundaries surveyed. He has also succeeded in buying the land Gillies wanted to get. He says that the conduct of Waikato is universally condemned and that Wi Katene denounces it with great energy. I made Mackay see Sheehan and urge him for the present at least to put a stop to the agitation amongst the Natives in Hawkes Bay, and to sound him on party movements I enclose the telegram I received from Mackay on Thursday and another copy of a Message to him from Sheehan received today. Macfarlane is at the Bay of Islands canvassing. John Lundon is gone to Mangonui and means to be a rival candidate. Mac has a sheaf of dishonored hills of Lundons and he will then be put out of or rather perhaps into court. White met Macfarlane and arranged to support him - he (White) says that the election is safe. He has himself been pressed on all hands to become a candidate and has partly agreed to do so. He wants you now to ask him, on account of the state of Native affairs, to hold his present office for a little while longer in order to give him an excuse for retiring gracefully in Scrugle's favour. He will be content to wait for the next vacancy as he understands from Macfarlane that he wants a seat only for this session. He has already written to you offering to remain in the service of the Govt. so that there is the opportunity to do this. White was with me this morning and is very cordial and friendly in the matter. The price of horses is riz in Waikato of course and Mackay has been wanting to exceed your limit of £20 but I have not consented. It blows hard from the Westward and Fairchild shakes his head at the prospect of the Luna getting out tomorrow. Yours very truly, Daniel Pollen