"Whanganui" March 23/72 Dear Sir, I have been both surprised and annoyed at the supposition which you seem to have accepted that I have in any way been engaged in private negotiations with these Lands - in fact I cannot comprehend from what source it can have arisen - I have contrived to reduce the whole question within manageable compass, and gained at once the confidence of natives and the ear of the settlers the latter so much so that the principal men amongst them have assured me of their cordial cooperation - I trust the Govt. will not take any action on account of the course taken by Wairoa settlers, they feel keenly the ridicule I cast upon their conduct and it would be generally regarded as paltry if Govt. noticed the matter further - In short nothing could have strengthened my hands so much as this blunder of theirs - and they feel it so - I feel confident of success although I well know it to be impossible to get through the task without some unfriendly comment or misconstruction - Some attempt at Reconstruction must be made Major Edwards and myself could perhaps assist you by a combined report, he and I are well agreed on these matters. The meeting at Wairoa was fairly reported excepting my speech - so much of it as is in print I enclose with corrections of typical errors - you will see that I had the people with me in the modified tone of the Resolutions - Mr.Fox's promise - and a way out of it must be found - I shall deal with this in my report. In reference to the provincial government you should instruct me to the effect "that in cases where the natives decline to sell, the P. G. are desirous of leasing and that I am to assist in carrying out this view". the P. G. could then write me stating their proposals - I cannot in any way control the actions of private individuals or their agents; by any direct interference but I can induce the natives to agree to what I recommend - and upon that footing will cheerfully do for the Superintendent I am very desirous of getting my family here both on score of expence and because I know that my personal superintendence is necessary for their future welfare as my Father strongly insists - I do not know whether you have been able to do anything for me in the matter of my private business of which I advised you - Could I be spared a week or ten days to go to Napier and bring them down - and arrange my affairs which seem to have suffered terribly in Hamlin's hands - the death of my Uncle William Johnson gives me 822£ which is however not at present available - I do sincerely hope you will never allow anyone to interfere or misrepresent me to you as you can always have the truth by asking me direct. I cannot send the full report I promised by the "Wanganui" - but answer Col.St Johns queries as to Land in a memorandum enclosed - the Superintendent confuses the question of these native awards by supposing them to be in some way a public estate whereas they are as much private property as your Ngatarawa lands - for six years they have derived little or no benefit from them and there are no lack of persons to advise them of what their true position is - "Hone Pihama's" people will insist upon planting in August - the course now lies plain and straightforward if it be only followed with firmness - and the end is to my vision clear as noon - I have a very nice letter from Parris thanking me for putting his action in past matters in a clear and faithful light - Kemp is pretty nearly himself again we get on well together altho: from his illness I have had less communication with him than I wish - Duignan has taken Chronicle and intends making it the Provincial organ. Ballance is shifting round to my views - I was obliged to supply him with some portion of the truth, to prevent continued misrepresentation; and certainly the Government have nothing to fear from the truth - I will endeavour to get my official report ready in a few days and forward it. I have little time for writing excepting in the evening when I am pretty well tired - I beg to remain Dear Sir Your obedient Servant George B.Worgan Hon. D.McLean