Mokau May 19/54 My dear Sir, I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your favour of the 29th. ult. and to thank you for kind advice. I have written to the Rev. Messrs. Lawry, Whiteley and Turton, and whan I have their whaka aro, and every difficulty here is removed, I shall address the Col. Secretary with copy of the same to yourself. As a private kainga for ourselves or friends, I suppose it is needless to say anything until the land is offered for sale. With this I forward a letter from Mr. Rogan. He caught cold and has been staying with us a few weeks, but left yesterday after dinner of which Kaka partook with us, though he had not asked for his present yet. He is waiting to know the result of the inland "komities", I think. Kuri left the day after the "tangohanga mori", komitiing the greater part of the journey up, with rain and floods, cold and hunger, I believe. Ka tika hoki, Nana ano i whakaroa o konei komiti, nana ano hoki 1 whakatapu o konei pipi. His cap lies understurbed in the entrance of the river, though Takerei.is of opinion he may take it out by putting his hound down there "kia utuhia nga wai ki uta hei whakarite". T. seems resolved to bear down all opposition and remove all hindrances. Tell him, sheep want be safe, he will reply "me puhia nga kari maorl" - that is tapu:- "kohikohia nga iwi tupapaka." - suposing Kekaha whahatapu Mokau - "ha haere au ki te whakatapu Waipa, ehore e haere tona mira," but what if they disregard your tapu -"ka tahahia o ratou tapu hoki e au" etc. Rogan is going up Awakino today I believe, and thought he should be back in a week's time, and then return to town. What is your idea about a road to New Pymouth? It would be of more service and less expense than the other way. Perhaps you think, "me hanga nga wahi kino rawa hi mua". Hopkins wrote to me to tell the natives to get the shed ready for him, but I hear now he has vessel cows etc. and that Joseph will trade here. I wrote to you by last mail, enclosing note from Tamihana about this place. His father, mother, brother sister and nearly all the principle owners of land here have all signed, you will observe. He seems to be ashamed of his pahehe but he is under the influence of Ngatiawaism (Wharo and Henare of Whiohakaiho) and perhaps still more of Pihopoism (Te Waiu ma) though they do not profess to mean any more than to get a few more pounds, and you will manage it, I hope, though I do not like that they should have more than others. When may we have the pleasure to see you here to conclude the bargain for Takerei's Block of 100,000acres? me tetahi atu? Mrs. S. desires her respects, Yours very faithfully, C.H. Schnackenberg.