New Plymouth February 22nd. 1851. Dear Sir, I am much obliged to you for your private letter of 24th. Jan. which I will now answer in detail. On a reference to the Report of 23rd. November last, I find an unsatisfactory notice of the then threatened rupture between the Puketapu and Taranaki natives; which accounts for your remarks on the case; and unless subsequently furnished by me in a letter, which had not reached you when William Stewart left, an omission has occurred that somewhat surprises me, from the care used to put you in possession of the topics of the day in this settlement, from the moment you left it, for the South. However, though not now of moment, I will give you the particulars out of which the would-be- quarrel arose. It was alleged by the Puketapu natives that the remains of Tokiwati, once a Chief of their tribe, who died a natural death many years since, and was buried at Hauranga, had been removed, and worked up into fish-hooks by some Taranaki natives; whereupon the former went into Committee, and vowed vengeance on their persecutors. On the Taranaki side, the complaint is said to be groundless; and to prove their statement, they were willing to institute a day of search, in the presence of the Puketapu natives, for Tokiwati; who, it is maintained, lies in peace with many other natives, alone distinguished by his gun, which was buried with him, and which would now serve to identify his remains. This fair proposition was accepted by the Iwi Ngakau Kino's as a fair negative to the charge but the formidable promptitude exercised by the Taranakis, to repel and punish any hostile movement towards them, no doubt was the real cause of the affair blowing over. If our new native friends, viz:- Te Ngahuru Taumati, and Tamati Waka perform but half of their promises made to me, they will be found of great service in this unprotected settlement. Should you think proper to add to their numbers, until an increase of strength shall enable you to dispense with their services, a favourable opportunity will offer to reduce Rawiri and Honi Ropiha, when the contemplated reduction in the pay of the Police is put in operation here. They could not object to share alike with others particularly when reminded of the long time they have enjoyed full pay, without undergoing any very onerous duty for it. Such an arrangement would place at your disposal the services of several influential men, North, South, whom you could easily select; and so smooth the way to Blocks of land now in their possesion, which, after all, is the main feature of your game with them. Native auxiliaries, though much needed, should not be taken on to the decrease of Europeans already unequal to the duty they are expected to perform. I find it will not do to have a native on duty unaccompanied by a European. Moreover, the Watches need always be doubled; and indeed, with the present times, if they were doubled again, their united strength would not be found excessive, to preserve the public peace. William Stewart has been on native duty ever since his return, and I daresay would have no objection to return to you. What I should have done without him during Hakopa's absence, I really do not know. It was singular that the one should have returned a few hours after the other had left for Whanganui, with despatches for Sir George Grey. The question of no protection is being discussed by men who lack the power, if they have the will to cope with it; which I regret, because it appears to me that the Government of a country of great power, should defend its subjects, in whatever position they are placed; that wherever British subjects are found, they expect, and expect naturally, in case of danger, in case of outbreak, whether externally or internally, that their persons and property shall be protected by some British force. No one knows better than yourself, the threatening attitude assumed on more than one occasion, by our lawless natives; and who can say what disastrous consequences may ensue before assistance is sent here. I am no alarmist. At present all is quiet, and I hope may long remain so. What I would wish to see is, the probability of a serious outbreak placed entirely out of the question by the presence of an effective force here. If our soldiers are wanted elsewhere, why not place us on a footing to provide for our own defence, by extending colonisation, with a due regard to discipline; which would answer infinitely better than the redcoats, until their tactics are altered, and made suitable to this country and its native inhabitants. Numerically speaking, we are creeping on a little way, but a large majority would be found unacquainted with the use of arms; and who would think of confronting such men against the warlike natives of these islands, who have proved themselves a pretty fair match for our disciplined troops? The very men who raised the hubbub about the scarcity of land, and your long absence from this settlement, have actually been and offered, and are now giving 8/- per bushel for good and indifferent wheat, immediately after harvest, to the natives; and 2/6 per bushel for maize, thereby throwing further difficulties in the way of acquiring land, in order that they may satisfy their own private aggrandisement at the expense of the public welfare. Really such men deserve to be publicly whipped; and in addition, tied to a hurdle, and pitched into a stagnant pool. With regard to the Barracks, - unless you wish it, I do not require a fresh Agreement; an Authority for the renewed rental of the same being all that appears necessary. The "rimu" mentioned by me some time since, has been thrown, and found imperfect right up the centre; which is generally the case with the very large trees; and accounts for the difficulty in getting large sound slabs. You must therefore console yourself with the one already furnished; and in future, carefully avoid rash promises to the ladies, who, you may rely upon it, are always on the look out ready to take advantage of our too yielding and naturally obliging dispositions. I shall adopt your advice with the Scrip which I int end for my little boy, and am therefore anxious to make a good selection with a view to his future advantage. When am I to introduce him to you? Hoping you are well, I remain, dear Sir, Faithfully yours (Signed) H. Halse. P.S. It is rumoured here amongst the natives, that Mamaku and his people, assisted by other Whanganui natives, will shortly pass here on their way to the North, with six war-canoss fully manned, amounting on the whole, to 240 men. The canoes are presents to Waikato Chiefs. An attempt was made by the Authorities at Whanganui, to persuade the natives to leave their arms behind them; a proposition partly acceded to, with the exception of our former enemy, Mamaku, who declined accepting the proposition. I am anxious to see the leader, although I would prefer seeing the canoes and their live cargoes carried out to sea in a South-Easter. The fewer the better, say I. P.P.S. Last week Wiremu Erangi, according to custom, with the former owners of the Waiwakaiho Estate, went to gather some fruit of the Karaka's, when he was opposed by Mr. Richardson, who foolishly threw himself into a violent passion and exasperated the native, who came into Town, and, in the presence of Honi Ropiha, Pohorama and myself, told the Resident Magistrate that nothing would now induce him to part with the Reserve on Mr. Richardson's estate; and that he would commence cultivating the same forthwith. Edwin Davy is very naturally disguised with the difficulties now thrown in the way of pending negotiations, by one who should know better, and one whose misfortune it is to be a profound misanthrope, which all who know him will testify. (Signed) H.H. To:- Donald McLean Esq.