My dear Sir, In order that no time may be lost in replying to your letter of the 11th., I avail myself of Smith's temporary ahsence from office to say, that the Governor is back again from the Bay, well pleased with his mission, and as Smith who of course will write you a long account of the whole affair, is better up to that sort of thing, I shall leave the entire matter in his hands, contenting myself with the observation that H.E.'s visit to Coromandel after his return from the Bay was unforseen, I believe the little gentleman's dander was up very much in consequence of the cool manner the natives treated him there. They were under an impression that he wanted some of their quartz ranges and kept aloof accordingly. The Judge is dead and buried, a peremptory order from the Ministey compelled most of us to attend. I did so, more to represent you, although in a small way, as I know you entertained a great respect for the old man. 300 troops are about to be sent to Ahuriri, and it is thought that a certain influence which does not come to the surface has caused the removal of troops to Hawkes Bay, for another object bedides that of quelling any disturbances which may exist in that part of the country. You will not be surprised to hear that W. White and I have come to loggerheads at last. Manuhau returned to Kaipara and behaved like a scoundrel in sticking to the entire sum for Okahu £500. White of course got none of it, and consequently was awfully disappointed, fell back upon me by a fuirious epistle, supported of course by some of the Maoris who got none of the spoil. I wrote him a short crabbed official letter in reply, telling him I did not know him at all as the representative of the Kaipara Chiefs which appeared to choke him off for the time and I have not heard anything of him since. I am to remain in the office helping Smith doing a few minutes in connexion with land question which Smith eschews as much as possible. However I am not sorry as it will give me an opportunity of showing my teeth to Kaipara people and reduce their 2/- to 6d. Johnson is still here, he goes to his district today with 3700 for land purchases, and I believe all is quiet in Whangarei. Walton in in Town very bounceable anout old Ti -- he believes that Ti and he are the only two in that part of the country. Before you receive this you will have heard of Katatore's death with one of his followers -- by Ihaia'a party. The circumstances are described as atrocious, but I believe the hand of God was in it, and it appears an inhuman thing to say, but between you and I I'm glad of it. Richmond has just told me that the Waitara natives have/stopped mail until they have their fight out which I hope will be a good one for once and settle the question. I had along letter from Mr. Shaw of Otago which I shall continue to copy and send on for your information and guidance. He has exhibited good judgment as far as I am concerned in not expending my £20 which he has got safe and will not make use of it until he hears from you or me again. I know the mania you have for sheep in that part of New Zealand and I think from what Mr. Shaw says of the country yet unoccupied I should rather give over the idea of sheep altogether than embark in an expedition unless I want and purchased a run second hand as Mr. Shaw suggests. His Ex.'s Memorandum in reference to the Hawke's Bay question and Taranaki was I believe one of the most peppery thing of the day the Kawana was up in arms like a jack in the box. I perceive you are facetious in the latter part of your letter at my expense and you will be still more so when you learn that I have employed Johnston to write to Norris asking for an explanation of the reasons why he has not sent on the money for my land which he has sold. I have many other things to say especially about Hay and Quin which I cannot now enter into as I am almost afraid I am too late for the mail, Yours very sincerely, Rogan. The two long expected mails have just arrived.