Napier. February 25th. 1865. My dear McLean, I hope you won't be terrified at the sight of such an awful bundle of papers as I am sending you; but read them all honestly through, and you will be as sorry to learn as I am to tell you, that the Pai Marire has been brought here,- and worst of all, by Hapuku. I need not enter into particulars here, as it is all detailed in the enclosed copy of my Despatch to the Native Minister; and the Maori correspondence which accompanies it. It is a most lamentable thing to see the Province left, by the removal of the Troops and reduction of the C.D.F., in such a position that we have quietly to look on while those ruffians; whose undisquised object is to drive us all into the sea; and parading through our midst and propagating their vile superstition under our very noses. I am afraid the Pa Whakairo people will be rather lukewarm; and Tareha's estrangement is a most unlucky affair for us just at present. I must try and effect a reconciliation before the Meeting takes place; or I fear he may not attend it. Hapuku's account of himself is a miserable subterfuge. It is well known that he sent for these people. Paul Rerepu tells me that he was present; and heard him send Te Kapa to see the Atua Hau Haus; and if he was a God sent of God, to bring him here. As to his saying the flag is nothing,- that is absurd; it is called Potatau, and another