Hokianga. July 4th. 1871. My Dear McLean, To save time, as I am greatly taken up with affairs at the moment, I send you a letter just received from Ware Wirikake, which will speak for itself. It is about the Ngapuhi letter, which is a matter felt to be of more importance than I have yet hinted to you, I think. John Moses has managed to make himself so desperately unpopular with the Ngaphi, that no one will sign the copy he has had charge of for that district. I will see to that. The natives feel the letter to be a serious matter and have serious motives in writing it, which may be of the greatest consequence, should circumstances call for further action in the affair, and as it can do no harm, it is best to let them take their own time, and do the thing properly. The weather has been, and is yet, fearful, or the thing would have been done by this time. Yours as ever faithfully, (Signed) F.E. Maning.