Westoe, Marton 15th June 73. My Dear McLean, I enclose another from McDonald. The letter he refers to as having gratified the Natives was written in reply to his last, which I forwarded to you, and merely stated that I had communicated his wishes to you, and would do anything I could towards assisting in the issuing of the Grants etc. The difficulty arising from Grindell's action referred to by McDonald is I presume the act of the Provl. Govt, and that you are not responsible for it. It might be well to consider whether it could not be rectified. I think you will agree with me that in all these cases where rectifications or alterations of the boundaries of reserves etc. do not affect third parties or greatly increase the area of the reserve and the Maories are agreed about it themselves, it is best to let them have their own way. Grindell's interference seems to have been unnecessary and ill-judged. In reference to Worgans affair you will beleive me when I say that no explanation of your action in respect of any agency of his was necessary for me or any of your friends. At the same time there is no doubt that he did talk at Wanganui as if he had you in his power and openly said you did not dare to remove him from office. The result proved how little truth there was in the boast. As regards the cases which have come to light of his pocketing Govt, money, and defrauding natives and others of it, while he contrived to get them to sign receipts for what they never had, which I understand is the substance of charges made on affidavit laid before the Govt. I don't see how you can enquiry into them. You say let the parties defrauded take proceedings" but remember they are mostly Maories quite unequal to the task. I think it is the duty of the Govt, if it has received information on oath of such frauds as alleged, to institute judicial proceedings. And I think in action in the matter would be bad policy, for many persons have I understand seen the affidavits, and it is next to certain that Whitmore or other friends of yours will move for the papers in Parlt. If the facts as charged in the affidavits are true, Worgan has been, guilty of several frauds for which he ought to have seven years hard labou at least. These crimes were committed when he was in the Govt, service and accompanied by frauds practised on it, by his passing false accounts. Considering all the circumstances and that the persons defrauded are Maories who cannot protect themselves, I confess I don't see how the Govt. can avoid the duty of taking the matter up and sifting it by the machinery of a court of Law. I hear the Turner lease transaction has resulted in putting £1500 into the pocket of Taylor the Land Agent, who was undoubtedly Worgan's accomplice in this. Poor Turner only got his outlay refunded, some £80 or £90, the rest I presume was divided between Worgan and Taylor. In fact the Govt, ought to have had the benefit ofit and if Worgan had done his duty would have had. Old Williams and the Gardine: has purchased it from Taylor I hear for the above amount. Many thanks for your offer of the Luna. Vogel said something about my coming down a little before the Session, but I don't think I should be of much use, as I am necessary much worse informed on publicaffairs than the Govt is, and I have no doubt you will dish up a satisfactory programme. The Welln. clique as usual threatens to give trouble with their Loan. I wrote Vogel about it, from a Wanganui Rangitikei point of view. If wished I would come down say a week before the 15th, but otherwise I would suggest the Luna bringing down the Taranaki members (3) and calling in at Wanganui for Bryce and me. It is just possible I may not be able to come, for I have got a touch of erysipelas, a troublesome and if neglected, dangerous complaint; - but I hope having taken it in time to be all right before Parlmeets. Will you be so good as to let me know whether this plan will suit. We are having most extraordinary weather - the Barometers as high as ever as it was during the height of the dry summer and cloudless days one after the other, tanks exhausted, in short a regular winter drought. Luckily we had a few good showers a few weeks ago which started the feed, but the creeks are as dry as they were at midsummer. I suppose you are looking for the new Govr. daily. I hope he will have a good reception. Yours very faithfully, William Fox.