Hokianga Feby. 20, 1867 My dear McLean, The bearer of this is Captn Henry Wilson formerly of our Colonial forces. he has been lately all over the Bay and Hokianga districts and can give you all the news of the North, so I dare say you will be glad to hear from him how we are going on I shall write to you by and bye and let you have as much news as I can but I assure you I have scarce time to get a few hours sleep in the twenty four I have so much to do. the fact is that the Native Lands Act is a perfect success so far as this part of the country is concerned and consequently I am worked almost off my legs. the natives are getting crown grants and enclosing farms for themselves, laying down grass and going to very great expence in many cases in the formation of estates for themselves they sell but the second rate land and keep the best. but what signifies that? a good peaceable subject on a productive farm and it matters not whether he is a Maori or a Pakeha if no misfortune happens for a couple of years or less the natives here will have been pushed on in civilisation and have become more likely to respect the law than under the ordinary course we could have expected they would have in a quarter of a century. I however still fear bad things for New Zealand You are doing much in your district and people say I have done something here already but what of that? there are weak points in many places and after all I begin to think both you and I would be more usefully placed in parliament. I may be wrong but I think we have not yet hit on the true policy it is too late now for what would have been the best but there remains a last move which none of our statesmen seem to have hit on yet. Never mind - let things go on and perhaps a time may come for to try our hands the time will be when things are at the which I actually don't think they are at yet. Captn. Wilson goes to Napier on a professional Tour warlike but I won't tell you of what nature I will only say he gains golden opinions wherever he goes from all young ladies who are too fond of "lollies". Yours very truly F. E. Maning His Honor Donald McLean Esqre. Superintendant Napier