Thames, July 25th. 1870. My dear Sir, I just send you a line to say that the Telegraph between this place and Auckland will be open for communication tomorrow or the next day. The opposition made by the Hau Haus has not resulted in action though they spoke loudly enough about it. There is nothing new about Ohinemuri except that the diggers are leaving it - there are a very few still there. Tahau and Paora Tohi have taken up their abode with their relatives at Ohinemuri (Wihiriwhi Hautanga's party) and say they intend to I have discountenanced ''in toto'' the applications made by the Queen natives for arms and the panic they were in some time ago has quite subsided. I have been anxiously expecting to hear from you with reference to the Shortland leases as the time is rapidly drawing to a close. I should not now be justified in waiting any longer to hear from the Govt. in this matter. I say this with all due respect, as there are but two months to Oct. and there is much to be done - and I shall have to take upon myself the sole responsibility of any kind of action I may think it right to follow - what I mean is this: I must reduce the rents to meet the bad times, else Shortland will be deserted. Lots of people are leaving their business premises in Shortland and going to Grahamstown, so I must make Shortland the more attractive by leasing on such lenient terms as would have the effect of a cry of cheap lands. I will before doing this meet all the grantees and inform them of my intention and in so far as practicable carry them with me. Of course I expect a certain amount of opposition from so many of them as think only of today without reference to the future. With reference to my official letter about the Beach, Aperahama and the rest of them will get into trouble. The three weeks given them at my request expires today - but I will do what I can for them. Yours most truly, E.W. Puckey.