Napier, May 1st, 1871. My dear McLean, The Star may catch you before you leave Auckland but I shall not write at any length in case she does not. This morning I sent you a Telegram by the direct line for Tapuaehararu to Cambridge which I hope will reach all right and if the mail itself can be established that way it will put another and a very long nail into the Maori King's Coffin - When I wrote you last I was vexed at Bells silly style but I was a donkey to take any notice of it - The Telegram about your West Coast doings was a great deal more irritating - but Bell is simply Bell and that is all to be said about it - I dont know how he will go down as Speaker I fear the contrast to Sir David will be very great - Since my last to you I had a serious talk