Auckland July 2nd, 1870 My dear McLean, You will see that a couple of little storm clouds, the occasional appearance of which we may expect, show themselves one at Aotea and one at Ohinemuri just now. Some of the Ngatimahuta instigated I believe by Tapihana have robbed Higgins and Ilbury at Aotea and have bounced a good deal, alarming the Europeans very much and also, apparently at least, the Kupapas. I saw a note last night written on the 28th June by a lad named Jerome who is in charge of Mrs. Charlton's place urging her to return and remove her property as fighting was going to begin again. I don't think that anything more will be done however. It appears to be an expression of a determination to allow no European to live on their side the confiscated line. Clarke will send you the papers he has received about it I am anxiously expecting to hear from Searancke. I have enjoined upon him the exercise of caution and that he should do nothing to create needless alarm. Have you remarked that in Te Wheoro's report and in all the movements towards reconciliation lately made Waikato only appear and nothing is said of or by Ngatimaniapoto. I hear indirectly that there is a regular split in the camp. On the other side at Ohinemuri you will see the Te Hira is bristling up I enclosed Thorpe's note and also copy of a note from Mainwaring to J. A. Wilson. Bush from whom nothing had been heard for some time reported yesterday to Clarke who will send you the papers that Ngatihaua had left and gone to settle at Tokagnamutu. I send with this a memo. of Puckey; relative to the proposed sitting of the Court at Ohinemuri on the 12inst. with Fenton's note. Since then I have made Fenton aware of Te Hira's proceedings and he admits the need of careful walking in the matter. I will probably go up myself and see and hear what is going on and in any case if there appears to be ground of danger arising out of the action of the Court. I will arrange that it shall not proceed. I have not given arms for the Ngatikoe. It would be I think giving provocation for a blow which might involve us in trouble just now; I had a meeting with the Kerapehi natives and Tarapipipi the other day, on the whole I think satisfactory. The work is going at Piako. Reihana, Te Hira's great man has come to our side in the matter of the wire, and insists upon its going safely over the Ngatimaru land which is exactly where the break is. If there is no opposition the line will or ought to be open in a fortnight. Yours very truly, Daniel Pollen