March 9th, /51. Dr. Sir, Finding there is no immediate prospect of your return to Taranaki I sit down to write to you on a subject which I had intended to have deferred until I could have seen you. As you are aware by a former Letter of mine I told you I had secured the purchasing chance to the next Section. Now prior to my going upon it I have written to know whether you have any objection to my letting your Section for any term subject of course to our agreement. I being answerable to you as if I still resided on it. For I have lived long enough out here now to discern that renting land without a prospect of purchasing it will not pay I this year cultivated 6 Acres, viz. 3 of Wheat 1 of Oats and 2 of Potatoes out of which I had 1 bushell of Wheat and 4 of Oats the Potatoes I think will be a fair crop I fancy if you will allow me to do this I shall be enabled to let the Section perhaps to some party who can afford better than myself to put the House in more Tenantable repair for I assure you the roof is getting very bad. But should you not feel inclined to assent to my proposal would you allow me to lay out the rent now soon due on adding to the comfort and improvements of the said House, by adding a Kitchen. I am exceedingly anxious to take out an Auctioneers License only that the duty is so high but this I should not so much care about provided I could secure the Governors patronage. I have always been used to auctioneering and was such in Town for two years prior to my entering Somerset House. Be so kind as to give me your opinion on this subject and as to whether I had better write to Sir George upon the subject. Taranaki has been in a sad state ever since you left, no justice can beadministered in consequence of the Maories taking the law into their own hands on every occasion. This cannot possibly last much longer I am also sorry to say that ever since I arrived I perceive great difference in the Morals of the Natives. This perhaps is hardly to be wondered at - considering the shameful example set them by some of the Settlers. Mrs. G. desires to be kindly remembered she has been a great sufferer, but is now nearly recovered. Hoping you are in the enjoyment of health, I must remain, Yours very truly, Thos. Wayth Gudgeon.