New Plymouth March 29th. 1851 Sir, In obedience to your letter of the 24 th. of January, which was not received until the 15th. ulto. I have been over the Omata district during the last fortnight, and now beg to offer a few remarks on its present state. I have been so seldom to this part of the settlement, - my duties confining me chiefly to the twon and its immediate vicinity, that I can speak but generally; but after ascending the hill beyond the Here Kawe stream, I was struck with the extent of country under cultivation, the houses, and the substantial post and railifencing, most of which appears to have been recently erected. The main road to the town, through the Omata, considering the traffice, wears well. This may be explained by the favourable nature of the country for road-making, and by the settlers, in several instances, having widened the roads adjoining their farms, to the sultivations, and the back forest, to great advantage; which is likewise well-intersected by roads, which were all surveyed by the Company, according to the features of the country, and are cut by private subscription, as cultivation is extended inland. A good cart road through the forest, cut to 20 ft. has been carried by private enterprise, about 1 1/2 miles inland, and a good deal of the adjoining land, all timbered, is in course of being cleared for next season. Beyond the boundary, Tamati Wiremu is erecting a pa, and breaking up land, on the 500 acres bounding the Tapuae. The general impression is that this land will not be parted with by the natives. The Omata district has undergone great change during the last 12 months. Nearly all the parties who have latterly arrived in the settlement, have been induced to settle there, out of the way of the natives; and because fern land was nowhere else to be obtained. On reference to the duty performed by Private Newsham at Omata, I applied to him for his journal, which he told me, was discontinued on his reduction to half pay. I was unable to offer an opinion on the utility of a solitary Policeman, to the settlers of this district, whose time is not wholly at the service of the public. Newsham has regularly attended, of late, weekly muster at the Police Barracks. I have the honour, etc. (Signed) H. Halse Sergt. To:- D. McLean Sergt. Inspector of Police.