Tauranga June 2nd 1870 My dear Mr McLean I arrived here early this morning to find plenty to do - not that it could not have all been done by others if it had been gone about in a proper manner. These Telegraph people have caused a great deal of soreness amongst the natives simply because they did not exercise ordinary prudence. I have been thronged by natives and I am astonished from what I hear that they exercise such forbearance - I do acquit Mair from blame but he tells me that he was never even consulted. Today a letter is sent in from Fox to say that the line shall not proceed. I find Europeans have been sent to cut a road two chains wide through a choice piece of bush - the nearest to Maketu - And then our people are astonished that the natives are not pleased - I am afraid that Mr Blake and myself shall have a few words. But I cannot allow them to do as they have done. I have written a memo asking for £200 more for the Road the Ngaeterangi are now at work on - they are doing the East end and they might just as well complete the road right through to Te Matapihi (the opposite landing to Te Papa) I am urgent about this - and it will settle a great political difficulty which has been haunting me like a Ghost for years past that of making a proper road through the native cultivations - The proposition comes from them and appears to me to be easy - I have been obliged to make a supplementary Requisition for £4000 - Preeces Taupo men alone will pollish off £4,300 I am quite rejoiced at the result of the plan adopted of keeping a force always moving on the Urewera frontier - It is now bearing fruit - You will be able to make a splendid case for the house - I hope that I shall be able to do all my work properly I am rather seedy still - Yours very faithfully Hy.T. Clarke P. S. My brother Hopkin arrived here this morning with his family and household stuff. H.T.C.