Napier 5th April 1873 Dear Sir, I have kept you informed by the telegraph of all that has transpired during the last few days in connection with the Native Commission and have not anything fresh to add at present, but send you a few lines nevertheless. I have been occupied chiefly in keeping our Natives in the right state of mind and obtaining information and evidence in contradiction to the numerous vile insinuations of the opposition -- They stick at nothing, they try to injure every one who stands in their way in their attempt at reaching the principal objects of their attack. My position has been freely commented upon and Mr. Sheehan went so far as to attack me in Court but I appealed to the Judge who put a stop to his remarks -- Ihaka, Ropata, Hirini, and Paora Honoi have behaved honorably throughout, they stated to me on my arrival that they had no complaints to make against you and they have stuck to it throughout. I was at one time afraid that Ihaka would succumb to the pressure of the opposition but when put on his oath he repeated manfully what he had always told me viz. that the Maori Committee had induced him to lodge complaints against you but he wished to have them withdrawn. Sheehan tried to make it appear that I had used undue influence to induce the natives to withdraw but when the question was put to them they replied at once that they had acted of their own free will and that their reasons were concealed in themselves. After Ropata and Ihaka were examined Mr. Sheehan applied to have Paora examined by a person appointed by the Court. I endeavoured to get the Judge to withdraw the complaint on the strength of Paora's affidavit but he sided with Mr. Sheehan and appointed Young to act in the matter. He was confined to certain questions which were agreed upon between the Judge Mr. Sheehan and Mr. Lascelles who was watching the case for our side but they were of such a technical nature that the answers, though perfectly satisfactory so far as your transactions with him are concerned, do not clearly exhibit Paora's mind on the subject of the affidavit which tended to shew that Russell's interpreter had without authority lodged a complaint in his name. In Paora's present state of health we cannot pursue the matter any farther, but I should like to have given Mr. Stevens a rap over the knuckles. I hope you will be able to send the "Luna" for the Judge he has on the whole been very fair -- and in matters in which your name appeared afforded every facility in the endeavor to place them in a proper light. I am anxious also to get back to Wellington but unless the "Luna" comes I may be detained here several weeks. I have found out all about the running up of the price of land. Will let you know, when I get to Wellington. Wilson and Russell both deny having anything to do with it but they were without doubt the instigators. Hamlin has been very attentive to your interests and has been of great assistance to me. I remain, Dear Sir Very truly yours W.K. McLean