Private Te Kopanga, 18th. 1858.(?) My dear MacLean, I am very exceedingly obliged to you for your kind note by White, which is most satisfactory. The contents I duly observe. We certainly ought to consider as to the future, which is very material indeed. You know my old views that I like deppotism (as they call it) rather than having ruling - v. property. The truth is we live under a most republican of govt. now. How wd. it do to let the General Govt. in the north manage our affairs for some time yet - the waste lands and run questions. I almost think this would be best. But I can truly say what Gollan and you think will be better than any views of mine. You know men and matters here better than me. Be assured of my support. The course I took at the late Election here has exposed me to some enmity, but, I did my duty, and therefore I am quite content. I should like to see Gollan upon the subjects you allude to, which appear to me to be of much importance. Well, I cordially rejoice to find H. M. Troops are here, because I infer from that we are considered worthy of notice, and support at the hands of the Gov. and his Council. It is indeed most gratifying. Since I had the great pleasure of seeing you I have recd. 2 letters from A.D. He seems alarmed about his run, which he says of he loses, will be a great blow to him. I have written to say exactly how the matter stands, and that he would see, or hear from you. He has sold all his sheep at Nelson, and wishes to invest here. I have advised him to buy upon the run instead, and that probably you would do this for him upon his remitting you to the Bank, and advising the name. He is uneasy about Fox, and others questioning the state of matters. I would have come down to see you, but it is too long a ride for me upon the uncertainty of finding you at Napier, and perhaps you may be coming inland. By the way, White's doings have given me some trouble, and my advice is lost upon him. I say this, because you may hear of the shindy between Russell, and the former, You do not know what I have had to undergo. I have repeatedly told White not to converse either of or to the Natives, of whom, or whose character he is not aware. This I take the liberty of saying to you because White has been visiting me, almost a stranger before, and came up here for my ''advice and opinion'' and that only. I have had both the medical man to see him, and I place his case in their hands. Pray excuse my troubling you even with allusion to such matters, but this much is only just to myself. Te Hapuku told Johnson he was coming here for ''Ratapuhi'' sheep. I do not know whether he will give me any trouble as to the number, but you will oblige me much on this point by saying to him I give him as others 80 per cent - and no more - 10 lambs 6 months old in Jan. 1855. I give him 2 lambings to this time - 26 sheep altogether. Some of them talked of a 100. If Hapuku hears from you before hand, or Cooper, he will be satisfied. I am really sorry thus to trouble you, and am with much regard, Most sincerely yours, Edw. S. Curling. To:-- Donald MacLean Aruhiri P.S. I think it proper to mention to you that the practise of selling fire arms to the Natives has been, and still is, carried on very much inland - and by some who ought to know better. It would be well to make an example by enforcing the law, in any case that could be reached and proved, and the Natives will readily tell you who are the sellers. It has been made a trade of by one or two in this District.