invited me to go to Taupo to visit them I promised to do so, I believe many of them are changing sides. This man Hohepa was a ''Kingi'' but he says they can not get on, there own Runanga impose upon them and the whole system out-of-joint. I have written a public letter asking to be allowed a sum of money to procure a boat and to assist in building a Court House - I hope you will do all you can to further this. That it is quite necessary I am sure, or I certainly would not bring it under the Governor's notice. A great deal of my knocking about amongst the natives depends upon it. It is no use telling the natives that they must come to me. To do them any good, one must go about amongst them, giving to ones opponents a good share of attention, without causing offence to friends. I cannot do it out of my own funds. I am at a great expence already in finding food for natives who come from a distance and keeping a crew to pull me about foom place to place, and I do not wish to pus my friends to any further inconvenience. The natives at Opotiki are about to hold a large political meeting. I shall be there if all is well - I do not like so many of these meetings, it betrays symptoms of uneasiness. The Ngaeterangi are receiving many visitors, the objects peaceable I think. Yours very truly, Hy.T.Clarke.