Thames Nov. 21, 1873 My dear Sir I was at Ohinemuri last week and had a long conversation with Te Hira about the political state of the country - he expressed a strong desire to see the new Governor - if you contrast this wish with what you know used to be his state of feeling at the time when I accompanied Mr Clarke and yourself to Ohinemuri in December 1869 you will find a very pleasing change but it is not so much with respect to that I am writing to you now. the conversation after touching on Ohinemuri matters which so far as his personal feelings are concerned are unchanged touched upon the Waikato question and the visit of Tawhiao to Alexandra - He said - "that is the end of the trouble of this load we are all one now" I have every reason to believe that the old man meant what he said - and I hope that the next time you come to Auckland you will be able to devote a little more time to the Thames District - I am sure you would feel repaid by a visit to Ohinemuri if it were only by seeing the growing loyalty of the Hauhaus - I even venture to hope that when you visit Ohinemuri Te Hira will become a Queen native. I may perhaps be too sanguine - but if he does not absolutely renounce Hauhauism, he will do the next best thing and instead of opposing us at every step he will not be always against us for the sake of opposition. Your obedient servt. E.W. Puckey The Hon.D. McLean Wellington