Napier, May 1st, 1871. My dear McLean, The Star may catch you before you leave Auckland but I shall not write at any length in case she does not. This morning I sent you a Telegram by the direct line for Tapuaehararu to Cambridge which I hope will reach all right and if the mail itself can be established that way it will put another and a very long nail into the Maori King's Coffin - When I wrote you last I was vexed at Bells silly style but I was a donkey to take any notice of it - The Telegram about your West Coast doings was a great deal more irritating - but Bell is simply Bell and that is all to be said about it - I dont know how he will go down as Speaker I fear the contrast to Sir David will be very great - Since my last to you I had a serious talk with Karaitiana about the Bush and I think he is convinced it is his interest to avoid the risk, which deferring the sale would cause. He was quite amazed when I told him we were intending to give a good deal of the land for making the Railway - anyhow he has gone off to Tamaki to see his friends and as the whole thing is in his hands I hope yet we may get it settled - I am very glad you have written for the West Coast Rangitane's to come over especially we want Hoani Meihana both he Huru and Peeti are all eager to sell but Karaitiana does as he likes with them all except Hoani - of whom he is a good deal afraid - In Wellington they are trying to get the Wairarapa end of the Bush through the Native Lands Court but Smith as usual is full of difficulties. I have advised Gisborne to send for Heale who can help them about the Plan which is the main difficulty. Poor Cooper is in a deuce of a mess - He owes old Read of Povt.Bay £1500 and his debts at Wellington are very heavy. He is trying to get Read to take the Poverty Bay (Coopers) Station and Sheep in payment for his debt to him - I fancy Run and Sheep are worth about £800 - If Read will do this he can settle with his Wellington creditors who will take £200 a year out of his pay for 6 years which will be about 10/-in the Pound on what he owes. If Read will not take the Station for Cooper's debt He has no choice but go through the Bankruptcy Court, and then Read will not get the half of what he is now offered. Cooper has been silly enough to threaten Read about some Scab question and the old man is naturally angry - but I scarcely think he wd. like to ruin Cooper - and moreover there is nothing but loss to be got by doing so - If you call at Poverty Bay talk please with Read about this and get him to agree. We have had splendid weather this last week but it is unsettled again now. I am very busy - Provincial Council meets on the 9th and there is a great deal to do - the session is likely to be a long one. You will almost certainly be here before long now so I will say no more. Always Yours very truly, J. D. Ormond. P. S. I had forgotten I promised Rhodes to write you about the lease of Sir.T.G. Browne' s land at Clive - Rhodes tells me he has written repeatedly to Whittaker and yourself and what he wants from Whittaker is a reply, either that he will not get a long lease again of the land, or that he will - Rhodes wants a long lease at his old rental £300 a year - he would not take a short lease so he tells me. He wants a definite answer because Mr. St. Hill run is now for sale (Te Mata) and if he does not get a long lease of Browne's land he will buy Mr.St.Hills - Barny having agreed to find the money - Will you try and see Whittaker and get a reply - W. will know if Sir T.G.B. means to lease again for a long term. If not the sooner Rhodes knows it the better for him as several parties are looking after the other Run which he may consequently lose, and being handy to his freehold it wd. suit him. J.D.O.