Opotiki 11 Decr. 1873 - My dear Mr.McLean I sent you an official report and a message yesterday regarding the conclusion of this Court which I think will afford you some gratification - At least I am satisfied to know that the Natives are breaking up camp this morning with a determination to have me here again to preside at the next court. It is better to have the good will of a dog even than to have him always snarling and snapping at our heels - Some of the Uri Wera Chiefs were in court and Swindley told me last night they were miharo at my cool, calm, deliberative manner of doing business and that in fact I am the man for Galway - enough of this - I had a snarl with Wilson in Court yesterday but everything passed off well. He is an ill conditioned man but he managed his part of the game well - He is now in a position to treat with the acknowledged owners without the expense of survey in the same principle as the 70 mile bush if he chooses to do so - I have one days work to square up the papers - and then if the '' does not appear I shall feel tethered as by a taura in the valley of fogs and swamps. I was very glad to receive your letter by Mr. Crupp last night. I concur entirely with you in opinion that if Fenton has any shingles left they are miserably deficient. I should like to have one bottle of claret with you and relate the manner in which I manipulated my part of this business - No one here knows I did not get up early in Opotiki for nothing No more at present Your's J. Rogan I forgot to say one word about old Tiwai - I recollect perfectly well that morning going towards the school that he made very offensive remarks to you about your being asleep and giving flour and sugar to the Hauhaus paid for from Revenue money. I called him back and said you may go on too fast. If he turns on you Ka ngako ngako kau koe - He then stopped and said he was always yours you the father of the people and I must say for him since because I was annoyed that he should or any one be making use of such gross and vulgar language to the native minister of the country. Whether it is that you happened to say to him that he spent all his money in public houses before his people who teazed him about it which started him with you I know not, but it is certain he gets well roasted by the Europeans for something you attacked him about jokingly you might not bother yourself about him. He has been a great friend of the court and yourself here since you left and I will settle with him in my own way - Received the following message this morning from Woon. "Dickey says you are to hold Hamilton Court 17 Inst." In the 1st place it is insulting for Mr. Fenton to instruct Dickey to direct Woon to send me to a Court. This is certainly not according to rule. In the 2nd place it is preposterous and absurd because Fenton cannot yet know what is before me and it is unreasonable, and thoughtless both as regards time and distance. The Mail is about to close I have just seen poor old Tiwai. He admits joking about the Hauhaus, but absolutely and positively denies having ever heard a Maori say you robbed any one much less saying so himself. He said you are the first Govt. officer who ever got him money at Wellington. That when you came into Govt. you saved the Maori race and they all know it and he will adhere to you a mate noa, and all that. I think you may let him puro -