Dear McLean, I send you our claim and the Evidence on which it rests. It is the only claim of any consequence which can be brought against the land lately the property of Rangihiroa and co. - therefore the Govt. ave not any reason to withhold payment that I can see though of course they would delay if they could, that being Fitzherbert's plan of making both ends to meet - Wgton. to be always in arrears. Still if on looking over the claim you would like to reconsider the promise you made me of settling it at once so that the Govt. could give no more trouble about it, of course we haven't worked all these years together that I should either try to squeeze you to do what you do not wish, or hurry you when you are in doubt, merely for my private advantage. There is no reason why all that Nat. land should not now be taken and our little Province could afford to dispense with it. So though hard on H. Russell, I regret etc. etc. After all he is not so hardly dealt with by a long chalk as my cousin Stopford who not only had to buy his land at £31 an acre and more but who did not like H.R.R. get several years occupation (as he is likely to do) of a very large tract of land for a single payment of a very small sum. Believe me ever truly yours, G.S. Whitmore. P.S. Expect you on Saty. remember! Bring Haultain if he comes that day.