Auckland May 4th /63 My dear McLean, I congratulate you upon a rational Council to deal with which is more than we ever had here, and upon your prospects of living in peace with your native neighbours, I wish could say as much for this Province; at this moment the turning of a straw might bring us into collision with the Waikato. All the Pakeha-Maoris have come in, and the missionaries also. Gorst as you no doubt have heard was hunted out. Reid has just come in from Waipa with his establishment and the aspect of affairs is not pleasant. I am in hopes however that unless some accident occurs that Sir George's work at Taranaki may take away some at least of the causes of disquiet. You will probably hear that he has resolved not to proceed with the purchase of Waitara which it now appears has not been completed. Teira has never got anything but the first instalment. Grey at the same time that he announces this determination to proclaim an amnesty for the past. The European settlers at Taranaki have behaved vilely in my opinion throughout the business. The Governor will be up here in a day or two and he thinks that he will be able to make matters right in Waikato. It will need time and patience. I have been absent for a day or two and have not had time to get up for you the statistics of our credit system. I may tell you however that very little was done in it, and that it was the part of the land regulations which has produced the least fruit. By the next opportunity I will send you the details. It may work better for you, but with the present price of your lands there will not I think be much inducement to take credit. I do not myself like your land regulations, your price is too low and your system had regarded from the Colonial point of view. If I were a Hawkes Bay settler I might think it a good one for myself but even then I should probably be mistaken.Williamson desires to be kindly remembered and I am yours always truly, Daniel Pollen In haste