Auckland 24 Apl. 63 My dear Sir, As I am not going out to Mount Albert tonight I send you a line to say that we have got Bell back again from Taranaki and he is off again by the 'Airedale' in the morning - The only news is from Waikato that Gorst is back and all his people are to follow - You will see by the papers that Parenga King and his party came down from the Hills in the night and threw the Stones which was prepared to repair the approaches to the Tapuae bridge into the river, and 300 Maniapoto have gone armed to Taranaki - Everything is quiet yet, but how long it will remain so you will be better able to judge as Hapuku by this time will be back again and he will give you the latest news - I read with great pleasure today the remarks in the Cross about yourself commenting on your speech etc. and giving you the credit of what is your due, it stated you have no equal in New Zealand in the management of Natives and I thoroughly believe that. I am glad indeed that you are progressing so favorably as Superintendent of Hawke's Bay. I attacked Samson some time ago about the Promissory Note I hold, he promised faithfully to pay me at the end of the month. Bell is so busy that I could not induce him to go into any of the papers amongst which is Northwood's land - I fancy they expect war and all ordinary work is for the present at a stand still - I have been copying papers all day and its now 7 O'C. in the evening and we are in the office yet - If you have time write me a scratch of a pen if it is only to say Tena koe - I am, Yours very sincerely J. Rogan Since the above was written no mail has been forwarded to Napier and as one is advertised for today 29th it affords me the opportunity to say that Purchas has written to say that the Waikato's mean mischief and nearly every one there will soon have to remove.