Auckland August 11th. 1870. My dear Mr. McLean, Everything is quiet. Got letters yesterday from Tauranga and Opotiki - all quiet and road works progressing as well as Telegraph. Gilbert Mair has been obliged to bring his men out to be paid. He brought them through the Rotorua and Tauranga Forest. He says that the line surveyed will make a "splendid road if properly carried out" - and will I hope be another "example of what may be done by the eye" -as Capt. Heale calls it for I hope that no great engineering talent will be brought into practice - for if it is it will cost no end of money. I think seriously of this Shortland and Ohinemuri line - not on account of the line itself but how it may affect the Peaks line just completed. Taipari thinks it may be taken as far as Hikutaia but no further. He has been in the office several times and he states that he does not think it advisable to force it on, that it will be erected he is confident but he says "kia totohu te pongarehu o tenei kua ote nei" - I have talked to several individuals on the subject including Dr. Pollen and they all appear of one mind. Dixon has a paper signed by a lot of natives giving their consent but I understand that they are chiefly Ngatikoi - this in itself will rouse the Ngatitau atera and Hira's party. You may think me nervous - but I think I am right. Mair from whom I got a note appears in a very discontented mood. He has got a copy of the Estimates and he thinks he is badly treated. I think so too there is Campbell on one side of him - the capabilities and services of the two men will not bear a comparison - getting £400 Moule on this side getting £100 extra as Commanding the district as well as travelling allowances - and Mair who has a great deal of knocking about as well as being a good officer getting only £350. I hope you will see your way clear to making him some allowance for travelling expenses. He has asked my advice - as he cannot stand it any longer - I have recommended him to write privately to you. I write to you with perfect confidence and freedom on these matters. I have but one motive, the efficiency of the public Service. Faithfully yours, Hy. T. Clarke.