Auckland July 13, 1872 My dear McLean, You will have received my report upon the abduction case and seen that I had cause of complaint against Kemp although I stated it in the mildest possible way. He was immensely cheeky and ill-tempered when I told him that he must go to Coromandel, and quite forgot himself. He is always a pompous sort of fellow and sufficiently lazy, but useful in his way, and I don't want to do him any harm. He aspires to be Civil Commissioner, "Mr. Commissioner Kemp" as he reports himself in the newspapers and likes an independent command and to manage native affairs on him own account. I don's suppose that is what you wish and if it be not so, I think a little friendly advice would do him good. The Fenian raid was a failure at Grahamstown, they would have liked a row if they dared, but there was a general preparation for them and they didn't like the odds. A ship load of ruffians came from Coromandel on purpose. Between the Green Harp the Fenians and the small pox my hands have been full these two days. Glad to see by your telegram tonight that you are not going to put us all in Quarantine. Your Board of Health notwithstanding. The panic about small pox is remarkable and very senseless but it will wear out. The Doctor and Captain of the Nebraska ought to be tarred and feathered by Old Ben Turner in Kororarika fashion. There is no doubt that they knew of the existence of the disease on board during the downward voyage and concealed the fact, and the patient also. Have you made up your mind about stopping outside interference with native land purchasing in the Thames? It would be a bold game and might breed discontent to cover the whole land from the Aroha to Cape Colville with the blanket of restriction, but there can be no doubt about the proprety of so dealing with the piece of land near the Aroha of which I spoke to you and which was left out of the order for rehearing. I have been fencing off proceedings in the matter as Trust Commissioner, but I can't keep up that game long against a sharp lawyer and Ineed not tell you that the Thames people would let the land go. Will you kindly remember also that I want to be releived of my office as Trust Comr. and may I venture to recommend that you should reconsider your determination to give Kemp and Haultain concurrent jurisdiction as Commissioners. They can't agree I am sure for a month together and wont get on well. I still think that a native Land s Court Judge will be the best Trust Comr. Indeed I think the Act might well be repealed and the Native Lands Act amended in that sense. I shall look out anxiously for the speech on Tuesday. I hope H. E. has quite recovered from his disappointment on not being able to carry out his policy of putting salt on Manuhiri's tail. Yours very truly, Daniel Pollen