Napier, September 14, 1871 Hon. D. McLean, My dear Sir, I hear the Luna is to call this evening en route for Wellington; so I will write you a few lines, and, as I have rather more than usual to notice, I must e'en take a larger sheet. - 1st. Shortly after you left I received a huge packet from Hone Mohi Tawhai (Hokianga) containing a fair Ms. of 14 foolscap pages! written by himself for insertion in the "Waka Maori": it was all about the N. Lands Court, upholding it (as against what had appeared in the W. M. against the Court,) but at same time shewing, in 8 or 10 instances where it wanted amending. I thought it (on the whole) a very good letter, and intended forwarding it to you. Meeting however W. Grindell in town the next day, and telling him of it, and shewing it to him (having it in my pocket), he begged of me to let him have it instanter for immediate publication in the W. M., - which he wanted, then and there, to get out etc. etc. I gave it to him; and you may judge my vexation, on finding that soon after he left Napier for Waipawa, (settling about "40 m. Bush",) and thence went off to Rangitikei and I know not where! I told Mr. Ormond of this - and I hope he has related it to you - I should so like for to that letter. 2nd. Before that Mr. Ormond left, some natives applied to me, bringing papers of their ? grievances, to draft a Petition for them to the G. A. - I referred them to . No. Then to Karaitiana, . To him they went, and in a week or so, returned to me, with their matters more in order, saying that K. had caused this to be written and that he had wished me to look over it. I said, very well: tell him to call and see me about it. He went to Waipawa (also about the "Bush" sale) and did not return till the last moment, and then to start for Wellington. I have subsequently sent him his papers, telling him, to begin at the end, for if he has not sought officially , to get his grievance rectified, it would be of no use to attempt it there: I also told Mr. Ormond of this before he left. I believe it to be relative to the boundaries of some Reserves, and of the Land sold, near Maraekakaho. 3rd. By last Mail from the N. I. have letters from some Ngapuhi Chiefs - one says (I copy it). "Engari pea a kona e whai korero ana, tena pea koe te rongorongo na i nga korero o nga Runanga pakeha o Poneke, o Ingarani pea hoki, he korero teka pea taua mea i rongo nei ahau, e kiiaana, Kahore a Wiremu Katene i tomo ki Paremata, tae rawa atu Rua riro a Te Mak-te arini ki tawaahi ki Ingarani ki te whakarongorongo i nga korero o nga Runanga o tawahi, he Runanga mo nga Maori o Niu Tireni, Kia hautopea atu ki te mata o te hoari, te taane te tamaiti te, waahine: - he korero tito pea u a taana". Perhaps it would be well for you to know of the Northern M. Member if he has written N., and if , then get him to write a good Letter directly. But you will know best. I think it is a great pity (or mistake), that the "Waka Maori," which is now in at Waikato and elsewhere among the Maoris, is not working doubly (I might say,) to let them know something of what is going on among you. I feel sure such might be conducive of much good. Several little ugly things have transpired since Mr. Ormond left, relative to the Natives, and some of them You and I have talked about; and as I am pretty confident that such will bring their , if not timely attended to, I just mention them. You will see, they all : and can easily imagine how the natives talk of them. 1st. Karaitiana was after he had left for Rates (Papakura Block), and judgment by default for £38 and costs. It was allowed that he had paid the first similar demand. (Has he or his lands, rec'd. any benefit?) 2nd. Runs are advertised, as having poison laid, and dogs seen will be shot, and persons trespassing will be prosecuted, etc. I send you enclosed a sample: but how are the , mostly perhaps concerned, to know of it? 3rd. I also send you an extract from our local papers of an impounding Case inland, And 4th. Of another very hard case - the making (according to Law:) of Hiraka (Hori Niania's son) pay for goods had by his runaway wife (Arihi) and . This is a doubly hard case - as all the circumstances are so notorious: I have but little doubt, that Firth supplied her with all the goods, after her leaving him: she and the ex-policeman live close to Firth. Such things cause our Laws, etc., to be - hated, as just. Surely they could be modified. You will see, my dear Sir, that they do all : Although I consider it a part of one's duty to tell you all this, still, I would not do it , were it not for 2 things - 1. You may be able to ameliorate some, : 2. You have to reply to this. I have read Vogel's finl. statement (as sent us per telegram) and, as far as I understand it, I agree w. it, and think, in some things, he has managed very . I wish I were at W. to hear the Debates. I hope you will pass a really good Education Act - one, wholly secular, I should prefer, and such will be by and bye, here and elsewhere as the world gets wiser. Hoping you are well, I am, My dear Sir, yours sincerely, Wm. Colenso