Raglan December 28th 1875 My dear Sir, I spent Xmas day with the natives at Aotea. I enclose you a copy of Rex Panui copied from the original. Kewene would not part with the original so I had to be content with the copy - this proclamation, if it may be called so, has improved the tone of the Kawhia people wonderfully. Whitiora says he is getting old, and intends that both you and he shall see Kawhia opened to a vessel very shortly. This mail also takes a report of the proceedings to you. You cannot conceive the amount of good your short interview with the Rex has done, what the next one will do I should not like to predict. My expectations as to that were fully stated in my last to you. Out of the hauhaus present one half were strangers to me. I never remember seeing so much good feeling displayed, and with such confidence too, on any other occasion. Every one seemed to be looking forward to your great meeting with Rex, upon which all the Kawhia people at any rate have built their hopes. I believe the Kuiti and inland people will look upon the partial opening of this Harbour with distrust, but as I said in my last you & Rex combined will carry all before you in a short time. Hoping you are well I remain My dear Sir Yours very faithfully R.J. BUSH Hon Sir D. McLean K.C.M.G. NAPIER P.S. Hone te One is in better spirits about his Kaipuke than he has ever been before. I fancy he looks upon getting one before next year is out as a certainty.