Auckland, August 1/71 My dear McLean, The Governor goes off this morning in great state; guards of Honor, salutes and general assemblage with pocket handkerchiefs - no onions. We Aucklanders are really sorry to part with the vice Regal family for they have been very kind and good and have managed to get on well with every body. I have sent your message to Searancke for delivery to the belligerent Walker. No more has been heard of the/cattle lifters I hope that it has no other meaning than a protest on the part of the claimants who have been excluded from ownership or share in the rents by reason of their non attendance upon the land court. There has been a meeting of the Kupapas at Raglan and it was decided that Te Wheoro and Hone te One should go to Te Kuiti in answer to the invitation of the King. The Thames people I think will neither go nor send. Tarapipipi wanted me to go but I pointed out to him all that had been done by the Prince, by the Governor, by yourself and by me to bring about a reconciliation and how all our advances had been repulsed and told him that it would be only upon a clear and distinct invitation in writing from the chiefs of the Kings party setting out the objects of the meeting that I could move. He said that it was right and seemed to think the invitation would perhaps be sent. The general understanding is and Tarapipipi himself admits that the Aroha question is the chief or only purpose of the gathering and that there is no change in the attitude of the party; but as I say Maories are sometimes whimsical and take strange courses. I hope that you will find yourself mistaken in your estimate of the value of Mr. Aicken's work for the Taupo steamer. He has special knowledge that I am informed of that particular branch of engineering and was for several years attached to a large shipbuilding establishments near London. Moreover Lodder who is a practical man and is going to tender for the steamer has gone carefully over the plan and specifications and finds no fault excepting a very trifling one as to the required size of some bolts. He says it is all perfectly clear and intelligible. Yours very truly, Daniel Pollen