Napier 20th December 1871 Dear MacLean, I have written the accompanying in official form thinking as it is in some measure a commencement of a new work you might like to have a record of what we are doing. The Pokowhai people have started their school committee including three Europeans Locke - Chambers and Canterbury Williams - and we have three applicants for the School Mastership viz. the Master of the Havelock school, The Master of the Spit school and young Rudman of the Herald office - I have told Locke that I thought it best they should elect their own School Master subject to the approval of Government and I came into Napier today hoping to hear from Locke what had been done, but find he has gone up to Whakatane - I hear however that they had a very satisfactory meeting and meet again on the 28th - I have seen Karaitiana today and explained to him that the Governmt. are waiting only for their action and will put the school in motion directly they can report themselves ready for the Master. I have talked the school question over at length with both Campbell and Mr.Clarke - the former who left last night with Locke by the Luna thinks it not likely we can get a Master for Waiapu from Poverty Bay or his own neighbourhood and as I think such is likely to be the case also at Opotiki - Whakatane Roto-iti Tupauhararu etc. I have telegraphed today to ask you if you can send me three or four Masters from Wellington to put in where I find the place will not itself furnish a Master - I fancy any man of plain education good character and kindly disposition would do for the first year or two -they might understand they were taken only on probation so that they should have no claim upon Government if found to be unsuitable. I see Karaitiana and too of other natives flocking about Travers - I fear his visit here will unsettle their minds - What madmen some of the Europeans are who not contended with our present peaceful state want to set the two races by the ears again. Yours very truly A. H. Russell