Auckland, 13 October, 1871. Dear Mr. McLean, This mail will bring you the information that Te Hua and his party have so far given way as to say that they would withdraw their opposition in the matter of the Telegraph if it was carried vis Hikutaia and Whangamata and the acquiescence of the Kuiti people obtained. This being the case there would be no need for entertaining the proposition suggested in a mem. to Dr. Potee, a copy of which has been transmitted for your consideration, unless indeed the description of country through which the line is established is made a matter of any moment with the Government. Judging from the Telegram which Clarke sent after me to Shortland after having seen Dr. Poteen I concluded that the line through the Ohinemuri would be preferred as being the more eligible and ultimately the most desirable for the purposs of settlement. On making close enquiry, the Natives described the Hikutaia and Whangamata line as ver rough and almost impracticable, the country being very broken and the coast line rough, with an additional distance of not less than 10 miles. Macky claims the credits through the Thames "Guardian", while in reality Puckey assisted by Tarapipi Te Kopari and the Ngatimara had determined to carry this line in spite of all. The country from Shortland, through Ohinemuri, and from thence to Waihi must ere long become of importance, and necessary in connection with the Thames Gold field. I believe Macky has in view (with other speculators) the entire acquisition of the Dist., unless the Govt. through the N.L. Court Act. put a stop to this irregular mode of colonizing and take the matter into their own hands. The country in and around Ohinemuri must in a year or two pass out of Native hands and is from its position one that the Government should have the control over. The present friendly attitude of the King party has evidently caused a change for the better in the feelings of resident Hauhaus and it might perhaps be a question as to whether the Kiriwera section should now be anyway consulted. Puckey will send his report in a day or two. He also reports Tahau quietly at his place busy cultivating. I remain, Yours faithfully, H. T. Kemp.