Sep. 12 The steamer arrived last evening and owing to threatening weather her stay was so very uncertain that we were all obliged to post our letters in a vast hurry and that done vexatiously told not to rely upon the steamer taking them. Truly this is an abominable hole and I have always regretted settling here but it is of little use repining. Our present rulers are proceeding strangely - Kotahi te mei i toe the stiletto which even now is being used by the man in power. It is impossible to view with complacency the attempt to oust, in other words to ruin our R.M. who is a good officer and scrupulously careful in all cases in which the natives are concerned, a quality. I take it of the last importance in a district so peculiarly circumstanced as this is. To be attentive and honest, under present rule, is the surest way to be plucked and ruined, however I do hope that notwithstanding the array of authority against a prudent officer now in years, the Governor will step in and shield him. Into their financial schemes I shall not enter further than to say that they are worthy of their authors - it would be absurd to connect the offices of R.M. and Cm. of Cr. Lands with the growing litigation in this place. Yesterday there were no less that 51 cases to be heard and the Court door was not closed until 6 p.m. for at that hour I myself passed and the business of the day was just over. I hope the Governor will order a return of business from that Court before allowing a certain few clothed with power to promulgate to the world that there is not sufficient work for our R.M. without contradiction. I am engaged at the Court this morg. as Interpreter in several Native cases and expect a long day of it. In haste Yours faithfully, H. Halse. Please remember me to Rogan.