Raglan January 16th 1875 My dear Sir, Hakopa and other local chiefs have returned from Kawhia. The majority of them remained behind Tua Waerenga. Tawhias left for Kuiti the morning they arrived consequently they did not see him. He is however to return to his old quarters at Matakowhai Aotea South in a fortnight. During his late visit to Aotea he is represented by Hone, Hakopa, and others as expressing himself thus. I give their own words, which they say were his. ''Ekore ahau e tae ki areka Kia Kite ia Te Makarini, me he mea Ka tae ia Ki reira, engari Ko nga rangatira Ote Kuiti, one to mea Ka kiakia ratou, me haere Ki reira Kia Kite ai ia ia, Erangi Ka a hau me Kite au ia Te Makariwi raua Kote Kawana, one Kite Ki aotea Ki Kawhia ranei. Ka kite ano ahau ia te makarini i roto i nga ra. Hakopa is a little afraid when the time comes he may back out, but he tells me, he intends when the Rex returns to interview him on the above subject. Rumour says next March gathering will be at Aotea. When Tawhiao returns from Kuiti, we shall probably hear something further, and I will take care to keep you posted up. You remember Tawhiaos first visit to Areka, it is now alleged he went there because he was pouri on account of one of his wives' hara. The wife being Haupokia's niece. Another rumour states the Moffatt has succeeding in constructing machinery which drives six hand mills at the same time. Three or four days after my return from Auckland I informed Dr. Harsant that you had granted me £10 per quarter to expend on natives here, and yesterday morning for the first time I learnt, he felt himself slighted etc. I learnt this from a copy of a letter he had despatched to you on the subject, which he shewed me. I can only say that I have no desire to interfere with any of his dignities as R.M., but on the contrary wish to work harmoniously with him. At the same time, I trust now that the question has been raised you will if possible give me the sole control of native matters. Since I have been here I have had to do it all, and a letter to this effect would place me in a more satisfactory footing, especially as I should be blamed if any blunder were made. If you remember I told you when at Thames that Dr. H. frequently impresses upon me what Mr. Richmond said to him 20 years ago viz. that the less we hear of you the better we shall like it - now I cannot but interpret this to mean that I communicate unnecessarily often on native matters. I know I do so much oftener than has been the custom hitherto. Well sir, I only do what I consider is my duty to you, and I trust if I exceed that, you will be kind enough to check me. I have only one wish and that is to serve you to the best of my ability, and in doing so avoid unpleasantnesses as much as possible - and I firmly believe I can serve you better, if native matters are left entirely to me. My impression was when I came here, that I was to attend to all native work Trusting you will pardon me for taking up your valuable time with so frivolous a subject, I remain Dear Sir Yours faithfully R.J. BUSH Sir D. McLean K.C.M.G. AUCKLAND.