Monday 13 December 1858. My dear Sir, Many thanks for your letter of the 10th. inst., received yesterday per White Swan. I am glad you approve of the course I adopted in the case against W.K. which as was expected got amongst the natives through meddling Europeans, but as Parris and myself had decided to plead ignorance, the natives who applied for information, returned without obtaining any. I hope to see Mr. Flight this morning and so put an end to the matter. The same feeling of insecurity amongst the Natives continues. Dreams of an approaching Kohuru are occasionally recited and the victim is to be a land seller! This causes well meaning natives to hesitate and remain silent, believing as they do in the fulfillments of these nonsensical dreams. It is a household remark amongst them that so soon as one of their number decide to sell land to the pakeha and adopt his customs he (the native) is murdered. In support of this the fate of Rawiri is quoted by his friends and the subsequent fate of Katatore by his friends. What can we say to counteract this? It is rumoured that the greater portion of Ngatiruanui will likely pass through this district next month on their way to Waikato, and if satisfied that the main object of the Maori King movement is to hold fast to the land, intend to join. I am afraid these simpletons will intimidate the well disposed and prevent their present wise intentions being carried into effect. There is no lack of natives anxious to see the whole district in the hands of the pakeha, but they are afraid of their lives to speak out boldly. With regard to the N.L.C.R. Act 1856 some shameful statements appear to have been circulated amongst the Wellington natives by disaffected Europeans which have found their way here, and which are to the effect that the Govt. intends to deprive the natives of their Reserves --- and, notwithstanding all we say here to the contrary, I am of opinion that the less we move in the matter the better. Any native or natives anxious to come under the operations of the Act will not fail to come forward without officers of the Govt. hunting them up in all directions and thus arousing groundless suspicions. I never thought well of the Act, designed as it was for the benefit of the natives, and am still of opinion that for some years it can only be partially brought into operation in this ever agitating district. The "Kate Kearney" leaves this day for Manukao, therefore I send by her in preference to the O.m. The Judge is staying at Mr. P. Hoskin's house and will I think be comfortable. How we are to manage in our miserable Court Room, I am unable to say. The witnesses alone will nearly fill it. Wishing you the compliments of the approaching season, I remain faithfully yours, H. Halse.