Auckland July 19th 1870 My dear McLean, All is quiet here. Hetit(?) when he left Tokagnamut had not heard, so he assures me, of the Kawhia affair. One of two things must be true in reference to that either he is shamming or else the Natives do not trust him with their secret councils, and to this latter explanation I incline. There is no doubt that Tawhiao knew of the intended muru and of its execution and it would appear that he said no word of it to Hetit when he was in his store a day or two afterwards. There are some mysterious movements amongst the Hau hau section of Ngatihaua and old Te Hira's mob which I do not quite understand and do not like. It may however be nothing. I am very glad that you are asking large provision for defence. I have an unshaken conviction that it will not be very long before there will be need of it. I think that we shall be able to get the Telegraph wire through to the Thames this week without opposition of any active kind. Pineaha still talks of cutting down, but I hope that I have succeeded in managing him. I have got him to state his grievances in writing and have made, not directly as from the govt., but through a private hand a few small presents which I think will satisfy him. I suppose the session will soon close now as everybody seems to be content. I am yours very truly, Daniel Pollen