Auckland June 28th, 1873 My dear McLean, I have sent you some of the Dowb grass and told the gardener to pack it carefully and send a note as to best mode of planting it. Things havesettled down quietly in Waikato and the war cry in Queen Street is over. Mackay has returned to Cambridge. Edgar has gone today - Mackay thinks that any attempt at road making just will now/be resisted. He will however help Edgar in every way in carrying out his instructions which are to examine the line of country and report. I think that transplanting would do Mair good. He is not very active he is reported to be personally interested in some land transactions now in hand with the natives, and his connexion (by his marriage) with a large storekeeper at Alexandra gives rise to a good deal of the usual village gossip and uncharitableness. Whilst Mackay remains in Waikato he can do all that is required. I dont attach much importance to the change but leave it to you to decide - if you think that the reason above given makes it desirable. It need be only temporary. Creighton as I suppose you have heard has agreed to take charge of a newspaper at Otago and must resign or his seat/at least cannot attend the session so the Chairmanship arrangement must be altered. It maj be best on the on the whole that he should not resign unless we can see our way to secure a successor who will vote with us. Allan Taylor is the most likely man to carry the constituency, he is a moderate and as a rule supports Government in Provincial affairs. - I am trying to find out what he will do. I think that we may count upon John Williamsons vote. I saw him yesterday and he expressed himself as very glad that I had joined ministry and had gone in with Stafford, and applauded the recent dealing with affairs in Waikato. Swanson and Sheehan, I am assured by Mackay, will not oppose so that if your southern friends keep to their allegiance we shall have a working majority in the House. Williams will probably get in for the Bay although Macfarlane is still very confident. If he does he will not go into the opposition ranks. I have sent to Mackay to enquire about De Thierry's proceedings and to put a stop to them. The sooner the operation of the N. L. Court is suspended in the district south of Waikato the better. We should be ready to go in and lease or buy as European speculators would in order that the Natives may not be worse for our interference. I go to Wellington by the Lady Bird on Monday. Fenton does not like your new Bill at all. I am afraid it will be found cumbrous and not easily workable. Yours very truly, Daniel Pollen