Taranaki, 15th August /61. My Dear Sir, I was very glad to see your handwriting once more and am delighted with the idea of getting out of this hole at any rate. I was very much disappointed at Parris not coming by the "Victoria", as it will involve my staying here another month. Ihaia has regularly taken up his quarters with me and there are so many natives about that I am eaten up. Komene has come in with some taonga to meet the terms of peace but Parris who is a friend of his, had better arrange with him as I have no instructions to do so and all the documents of the office are locked up - My own impression is that this is a new scheme on the part of Taranaki to get supplys for themselves through Komene who is the nearest rebel to us south and through him their wants can be obtained. The craving for food by the friendly Natives is beyond everything and although they are not so bad as they represent themselves to be yet I think they will suffer before the crops come in and the Govt. will have to assist them. I received your circular letter, but it is impossible for me to reply to it until I have reference to papers in Auckland which I am not supposed to carry about with me, and as my intercourse with Natives for these few years past has been confined to Kaipara My impressions will therefore not tend to throw much light on the subject. However I will give you the full benefit of my opinion when I get back. As I hope soon to see you and as I have nothing whatever to tell you of in this miserable den I shall conclude with a wish that we may be releived from our uncertainty when S. G. Grey comes and lets us know our fate. I see nothing for it but retreating to the Middle Island and remember that I have bespoken already a head shepherds billet on the run at Otakou - Yours very sincerely, J. Rogan. I have just seen Good who is anxious to know from you whether he is likely to obtain employment in the Native Dept. if not he will be compelled to be off to the diggings - I hope you will send me an official to return by next opportunity. J. R.