Taranaki 1st May, 1854 My Dear Halse, I was very glad to receive your long letter of the 18th ult., and wish that I could indulge in making an equally long reply. With reference to the Awakino, I will send an official letter recommending its being placed under your management as it is 140 miles from this Province and within 50 of your district, but before it is thrown open, I am anxious that Rogan should purchase more land there, so that the adjoining land to the purchased block should not be enhanced in value by the immediate location of settlers on it. In making this suggestion to the Govt. I think the additional duty it will involve may justify my suggestion that some increase by way of forage should be made to you, in fact there is every prospect that your duties will now be considerably increased and I hope they may - if a corresponding increase is made to your pay. I think the arrangement suggested by Brown for reserves to the Natives with right of purchase within 5 years a very good one - as it will secure good labourers to reside in your vicinity while their holding under the Crown will ensure their more willing submission to our laws, I hope you and he will be enabled to carry out this arrangement satisfactorily - Cooper will I am sure readily give his advice and assistance in the matter. I have an immense crowd of my friends the Maories surrounding the office and they cannot comprehend why I decline to see them this morning - I do not mention this as an excuse for such a short note as I should like if other matters were not urged on my attention to write a few more pages to you but I must confine myself and hope to be able to give you more news by next mail. Ever yours sincerely Donald MacLean