Hokianga October 29/62. My Dear McLean, I wrote to you in a very hurried manner the other day via Manuka, and only write now to say I have done so and that I hope to see you very shortly in Auckland, where I propose going soon. There are no native news worth recording. I go with the ''Aucklander'' on the native lands till I think that paper takes the proper view of the matter. I moreover believe the said bill will be extremely difficult to work advantagously and will cause much trouble, as to ''direct purchase'' as they call it I think before all the requirements of the bill are fulfilled, and gone through the purchaser of land will find he has gone through a very indirect and troublesome process. I also do not think it expedient, necessary, or as respects the rights of the natives at all called for, the preemption of native lands being in the hands of Government does not in any way interfere with the rights of the natives as British subjects the right of preemption was bought and paid for at the Treaty of Waitangi, and the valuable consideration the natives then and there received in return was their being recognised as subjects of the British Crown, a consideration of the greatest value and importance to them though they do not recognise it, and in fact repudiate those privileges to which it entitles them. It will be long I suspect before under the new act a map of millions of acres such as the land purchase department can shew will be forthcoming. The ''direct purchase'' however have a charm for the many headed monster and so let them try it. I sent a M.S.S. yarn to McCabe he got it a month ago but has not let me know anything about it yet. It is quite a different affair from ''The War'' but I think well of it in its own way it is seriocomic semi-political and contains many true scenes from old Maori life - I am however rather vexed McCabe does not acknowledge the receipt. Pray let me know at your leisure what Varty means in talking of ''another edition'' did he mean a second edition of the ''history of the War''? Chapman has not told me a word of how the said affair sold, or hinted that a second edition would sell. As for the second tale I sent to McCabe I have no idea what has become of it and fear it is lost. He should have had it a month or six weeks ago, and I feel a good deal annoyed I can hear nothing of it. Let it be good or bad he should have let me know he had got it - I must try to get it back or hear something of it if I can. I hope soon we shall have our ''great talk'' at Auckland, when I shall venture on matters Maori altogether too extensive for letter paper, and hope in return to hear your ideas in the same for really and trully the hearing of some common sence on these affairs is refreshing to a ''Pakeha Maori''. After all the hideous trash commonly current on the subject. The Governor is reported in the papers to have said at Whanganui that he would transport or hang King Potatau if said potentate deserved it, as if he dose not deserve it already. Between ourselves it is commonly thought that his Excellency is not game to having a dog belonging to King Potatau I don't say think so but I think he wont do it. There are plenty of fellows here and elsewhere who would be the better for a little , but there is as far as I see no signs of making a beginning with them. If ever I get a hold of that M.S.S. which I sent to McCabe, I shall print it and it will tell truly how much the natives are enamoured of ''law and order''. Isnt Mr. FitzGerald a shining light with his ''amalgamation''? Its enough to make a ''Pakeha Maori'' dance a war dance and then run a muck to hear men supposed to be sane talking such utter rubbish - Maories of all people in the world to be governed and ''amalgamated'' by mere moral suasion - emollient poultices - they can't do it in his own country - certainly the Irish are to the present day in many respects greater savages by far than the Maori but that does not prove the Maori are fond of being hanged when they deserve it. I fancy I see Mr. FitzGerald sending his compliments in a scented doux to a Maori Toa, saying he will feel everlastingly beholden to him if he will favour him by coming to be hanged - Law and order, and amalgamation and FitzGerald, for ever! I'll tell you what. Nothing will ever go smooth, or rough till are governer and am Native Minister and just think! the contemplation of such a state of things fairly overcomes me - wouldn't we set the state upon its legs? one comfort is that if they won't let us, we at least can talk about it, which as things have gone so far is the easiest. Yours sincerely, F.E. Maning.