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English
Turanga June 30th. 1870. My dear McLean, Obedient to your request I have paid my first visit here and have during the last week heard and settled some rather important differences among Natives. I wrote to Locke some time since offering a few suggestions and asking his opinion with regard to our mutual share of the work but I have not yet had his reply. Everything is going on quietly throughout the District and there has not been anything to furnish matter for a formal report. A growing desire for a Land Court is all that shews itself at present. I am trying hard to make them think very seriously about the education of their young ones but there is great apathy and I much fear that Mr. Archdeacon's objections to the act as stated to me on the ground of the teaching of our language forming one of its requirements, may have had its influence. However I shall always continue to urge it upon them. It is sad to see so many growing up in a state of ignorance worse than their fathers. Ionly missed seeing you at Tuparoa by about a mile. The tide detained me between Waiapu and Awanui otherwise I should have had plenty of time. I was much disappointed. Three of the old Kingites of the Ngatiporou came to Makarouia a few days before I left. They report some more to follow. They appear anxious to live in peace if the past is forgiven. Some rumours have been flying about of te Kooti being at the Reinga but nothing certain. The Native news I got from Opotiki the day before I left Waiapu was that he was still lurking near Waioeka. I read the account of the Napier dinner with much satisfaction. Whitmore is trying hard to ingratiate himself with the people here. By his account he and Gillies are going to effect wonders for Turanga. Government is in such a shaky state that they dont think it worth while to attack them at present excepting as far as the coming General Elections may be affected. I intended to ask you had I met you at Tuparoa if you would bestow some mark of favour upon Iharaira te Hokamou. His influence as you know is great extending well up the Bay of Plenty - and by that influence much evil has often been averted. He feels a little hurt on the subject. Ever yours J.H. Campbell.