Napier, March 3rd, 1871. My dear McLean, I have not a great deal to write about - separately I have told you all about Mangateretere and the substance of it is that that question cannot be pushed on by Fulton before 9th May - This gives plenty of time for consideration. I see by the paper this morning that Featherstone has in his speech to the Provincial Council condemned your action in the Manawatu case and encouraged a demand of £1 an acre for the Reserves given back to the Natives. This is very unfair on his part and his action will I am sure be universally condemned. It seems to me he never could have understood the bearings of that question or the issue at stake. But I think anyhow considering your action was taken as his Colleague and with the assent of his other Colleagues that the course now taken by him is most extraordinary. If I remember rightly he over and over again proposed to leave the matter to you as