Napier, April 26th, 1873 My dear McLean, The enclosed letters were sent me by "Nation" the Surveyor and he has promised to get some more important ones from Henry and Purvis Russell to Henare Matua which he says clearly connect them with the land repudiation movement. Of course as all these fellows do he wants pay and there is a fair claim upon which he can get something. It appears that when the Whenua hou question was gone into long ago Nation was employed by Government partly and the Natives partly to make a survey of the disputed land. Locke knows about it and was a party to the survey being done. It was absolutely required the other day before the Commission and was of service to our case. £28 is wanted for it, will you find it out of Native vote. The Natives ought to have paid part of it but Henare Matua refuses. On getting your assent I will have it put in Voucher or it might be remitted. The enclosed letters are valuable as showing first the activity with which Henare Matua has for some time been working. You will see that he was in communication with Wi Parata and also with Matene te Whiwhi. The letters from the district runanga's in Hawkes Bay to Henare show the hostile feeling they have to the Govt. and how that scoundrel H. Russell has worked to bring it about. You will also see that all through they agitate and in one letter say so distinctly. The collection is well worth your looking carefull through it and I believe it is worth keeping Nation retained to get the further documents he promises. Henare Matua has shown considerable ability in working up what he calls "The Committee". Is it worth enquiring of Wi Parata if he could be got at. There is no doubt he hates Karaitiana cordially altho at present working with him. He wd. be worth securing if it can be done but any overture must be cautiously made. I am writing separately about other matters. Yours always, J. D. Ormond