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English (ATL)

Wallingford
Sept. 27th. 1864


My dear McLean,

Tomorrow is post day but I want to write you a line about a matter that I have been thinking of often enough but have always forgotten. We want another Magistrate down in this part of the District at present there is only J. D. Canning and myself and as I am very often absent and Canning is by no means a stay-at-home people have often to travel from Porangahau to Waipawa to get a summons and oftener still people have to get their cases heard at Waipawa instead of here, a days journey each way - because 2 Justices are not in the neighborhood William Hunter is the most desirable person to name. I have spoken to him and he is ready to act. In writing about him if you name him as the brother of George Hunter of Wellington Fox will have it done it done at once - please state also the exceptional circumstances under which this recommendation is made. Since I wrote you last I have seen something of the Natives about here. They were very much surprised at the escape of the Prisoners and seem to enjoy the idea of our trusting to their parole as to the Waikatos they assure me that messengers from there have long ago advised them that the struggle was to be renewed as soon as the 'food grows' and they say that notwithstanding the present want of food that large cultivations are prepared for the future in the most inaccessable districts. A messenger arrived here on Friday last (I think after the mail left) from Wanganui he brought word that fighting was when he left about to take place between "Pehi" and his people and the hostile natives on the Wanganui river. You will hear before this gets to you whether this rumour be correct or not. I put some reliance on the statement of the natives here as to the intention of the Rebels of Waikato to continue the war and the more so because the sympathy in their cause does not seem as active as it used to be. What does Mr. Tareha say to this - ask him why he did not tell you when this intention was avowed to his people by Waikato. For my own part I am rejoiced to find that the Natives themselves will not accept the pacific intentions of their friends and that there is yet a hope that their obstinacy will prevent the struggle being brought to an unsatisfactory termination - Since I wrote what is before I have been over the English papers and I cannot say I feel at all in good spirits at New Zealand's present position in Englands regards there is one consolation the bark is always worse than the bite. England will yet leave her soldiers we must hope to make this precious New Zealand war the foundation of a lasting peace. What a mess Reader Wood seems to have made of everything, very little else could have been expected from him but I pity him when the Assembly meets. I have a reply for Monro upon Colenso's case he rules that Colenso not having been gazetted to an appointment, his case does not come within the operation of the law - he says he is informed by the Postmaster General that Mr. Colenso holdsno office under his department, but only performs work at times for the Postmaster Napier for which he is paid according to the time he is employed.

Monro accordingly rules that he cannot declare his seat vacant under the "Disqualification Act 1855" but adds that he considers the law should be either be made clear on the subject or extended so as to preclude members of the House from being paid servant of the Executive in any shape. Monro desired to be remembered to you. I had a private note besides the official one - he writes apologetically for the decision he has given. The only thing now open for us to do to try and dislodge the beast is to get up a demand from the Napier constituency that he shall recant the opinion he expressed in the Prov. Council and that he be called on to pledge himself To assist as Member of the House of Repre. in obtaining for the Province the various beneficial measures which he lately denounced failing his doing that (which he cannot) calling on him to if he do not resign - resign -/this would at any rate make any opposition of his in the House futile. I think if a proper paper were prepared it would be agreed to by9/10 of his Constituents. It should be worded carefully and the purport shd. be that the advocacy of the opinions be set forth in the Pro. Council on so many important questions will when urged by him in the House of Representatives militate against the Province. You know all the points that will tell among the one opposite to Hawkes Bay getting a share of the Loan.

Non-necessity for Troops - opposition to the objects sought for by the £60000 loan. Unfortunate and incorrect opinions he holds upon the position of the Province and its retrogression, the same being damaging to its credit and the obtaining the Gen. Govt. guarrantee which will enable the £60,000 loan to be raised on better terms. These are some among other among other points. See if you cannot get a little stir made on these subjects it can do us nothing but credit and will injure him considerably - the different points I have mooted carry with them an argument which all dwellers in Napier will acknowledge as opposed to their breeches pocket interest and on that account they will not. I am writing very hastily being pressed for time to night.

Always
sincerely yours,
J. D. Ormond