Mohaka Sept.20th./1863. Sir, When in Napier last you desired me to write you and let you know how we were getting on in Mohaka which I promised to do the reason why I have not done so before this was because I did not wish to say or do anything rashly which might be grounds for accusation against others. First I think that the Block house has been badly managed and has cost the government a great dell more than it ought to have done all through Mr. Brown's disregarding the opinion of the settlers except Frame, Fanen (?) and Couper which he took for disinterested gentlemen and the result is that instead of about £12-0-0 which the building should have cost it as I understand has cost £40-0-0 everything was thrown into Frames hands without any checke being kept against him I know that the people would have preferred 2/6 a day while they were at work than to be compaled to go to Frames for share meales I know also that some keeped away all together for no other reason than that just mentioned. I here allso that Mr. Frame has made some dificulty about the ground whare the blockhouse stands and asked Mr. Mr. Brown about that before, the building begun and said that that matter should be settled at once and save dispute after- wards but he aperantly has taken no notice of what I said to him it is my opinion that if the road along the Bankes of the River were laid of its Proper width that it would take in the block house and save all further boather about it had the Blockhouse been built on my land I would willingly have given the ground requared free and have thought myself well off for the Protection that it would have afoarded my property. I may allso observe that if the constable here were placed on full Pay as a Policeman and the blockhouse to be used as lockup it would be useful and save the expense of a keeper if the constable lived in it and looked after the arms which I have no doubt but he would be willing to do. I think it but proper to bring under your notice the way in which the money votted for road making is wasted in the Place we have a man here receiving 9/- a day and has not to my knowledge done three days work. This last three months I am not the onely settler that sees the foly of having and overseer of roads when thare is no work done. It is notout object to have the money spent but to have our roads made we want them very much. Thare is another matter that I wish to tell you of Mr. Webber wrote to me some time ago requesting me to see what had become of the late Alex Allans children - but on hereing that Capt. Allan was expected to acaive I did not care to meddle in the matter but as Capt. Allan is gone and nothing as yet is done for the children I think it Proper to make you aquainted with how they are leaving. The Woman was at my house a day or to ago and I seed the oldest child I seed it before its fathers death but did not know it again it is the Poorest thing that I ever say it is allmost starved to death the woman told Mrs. Sim that it had nothing to eat but corn this long time Mrs. Sim gave the child some bread and tea and it ate greadily I believe Capt. Allan would have done something for them but for the advice given him here by some People whos Prejudices are stronger that thare humanity. I have wrote this privitaly but if thare is anything in it worth your notice you can make whatever use you think proper of it. I remain yours truly, John Sim. To D. McLane Esq., Napier.