on the subject and have replied rather warmly to Puckey. I wish Puckey would not lend himself to the pressure the Pakeha speculators are trying to bring on the Government - I enclose for your information copies of those telegrams - they can be made official records of in Wellington. We have tried to help the natives out of their troubles by purchasing the fore-shore they decline. I do not see why the Government should be victimized as well as the natives. Another matter I forgot to mention - In a private note from Gilbert Mair I learn that Col. Gorton on his last visit to the Bay of Plenty prohibited the issue of rations (on payment) to the natives engaged in transport the consequence is the transport has broken through - Mair will be obliged to abandon Kaiteriria - his men cannot live without food