New Plymouth June 9th. 1851. Dear Sir, I wrote to you in a prodigious hurry last Saturday week; in the expectation of the "Shepherdess" sailing on that day for Wellington; but the winds decreed otherwise. She and the "Lucy James" had to run; and no one knows where they are now, or when they are likely to return. You will see by report that the question of boundary at Kaiwaru, near Puketotara, was to all appearances, finally arranged by Carrington. The intended visit was made known at the Kawau, and elsewhere, but for all that, some thought proper to absent themselves; and amongst them was Waka, who appears desirious to offer opposition on all questions of land; and therefore protested against the survey; whereupon a Taranaki native named Himera, took up the puriri block, and so left the question in a worse position than before. E Waka persists with usual pertinacity, and is the sole cause of the present difficulty, more so, I believe, because a special messenger was not sent to him. Richard Brown talks of offering Wairaka to the Government, in exchange for the Reserve at Omata, consisting of about 10 acres, and running down to the landing-place. His argument is it will cost Government more to get the natives off than the Reserve is worth. Do you think he will get it? Smart went to Auckland, and saw the Governor about his case with Te Ahoaho and others. From all I can learn, he gained but little, if any, good. Much better await your return, and the influence of a little gold - always supposing iron messengers prohibited - to arrange that and the other outstanding questions. Rawiri and Tahana, after a week's deliberation took the remainder of the Governor's liberality, which unluckily came rather late, all parties being perfectly satisfied with the cask of tobacco supplied by the owners of the cargo; but of which His Excellency was not apprised. However, there can be little doubt of ultimate good arising from it. Te Ngahuru is here, and has been ill; which prevented him attending to his usual complaints of cattle trespass; which occur almost daily, and will yet terminate unpleasantly, unless different precautions are adopted. The removal of the cattle would be the best; and I was glad to hear you had spoken so well of Ahuriri for cattle runs. I think Mr. Richardson's pigs will be recovered in a day or two, - the result of frequent dunning, which I have frequently found to answer. What an immoderate spell you have had at the South! Why, it is nearly 14 months since you left us! Do you think of paying us a visit soon; or are you finally stationed at New Munster? Some of your men require curbing, and take advantage of your absence; as long as they can pocket the whole of their pay, little else is cared for. I manage to get the ordinary duties from some, which is all I can say. Old Tom is the best of the bunch still; and without old Jacob, I should get on badly. They - that is to say - Stewart and Medland, evince too much independance for their respective positions, particularly the former, who does not hesitate to say " he and the Inspector had a quarrel", I believe, at Ahuriri, - a highly improper remark for him to make. Hoping you are well Believe me sincerely yours (Signed) H. Halse. To:- D. McLean Esq.