. New Plymouth Ap. 27, 1857. My dear Sir, I am much obliged to you for your letter of the 11th. inst. and glad to hear that Parris is likely to hold a specific employment in your department. It is natural that the Provincial Govt, should direct its attention to acquiring land, indeed the settlers would have been impatient had it not done so, seeing that there is a decided disposition on the part of many natives to sell and I must add an equally strong feeling to retain the land. The question appears to be how is the land to be purchased, my answer is this, let the Governor make known to the natives his readiness to buy from such of them as may be willing to sell and cause a sufficient sum of money to be deposited here, I am confident that land could be purchased. I would buy up the various interests until the oppositionists dwindled into a miserable minority, they would soon be brushed away and all would be peace and quietness. It is not true that the settlers are the natives about their lands and thereby keeping up the excitement as Mr. Lloyd says - it is the natives themselves who scarcely talk of anything else, as for myself I do not touch upon it except in answer to a native. The present time is favorable to the purchasing of land - produce is low and money very scarce - should produce again run high, we may have to wait years for additional territory. The Ikamoana case continues much the same as before. Ihaia steadily pursues his object which is to break up the League. He talks of coming into Town tomorrow to ask for the money for the Ikamoana - knowing beforehand that there is not any in hand - and threatens on his return to renew hostilities so that with or without payment for the Ikamoana it seems tolerably clear that powder will shortly be burnt amongst them. Precisely the same difficulty will occur with the Karaka, Turangi or any other locality when rightful owners are wishful to sell unless supported by the Govt, the one thing wanting to put an end to these everlasting contentions. A native feast took place at the Kawau on July last, in return for previous feasts at Upokotanaki, Raeiomiti and Hoewaka. A high wall was formed of huge baskets of potatoes and kumaras, hoisted up between strong poles and several cleaned pigs crowned the highest baskets - shawls, roundabouts and yards of print were flying from the tops of the poles and presented a picture of unusual novelty. The visitors will likely leave Town in the course of the day - neither Katatore nor Puku nui came in, fearful it is said of an ambuscade. The fencing material is being carried for the disputed land in the Waiwakaiho Block and Paki is confident. If the accounts for firewood are approved will you kindly send them down as otherwise I shall be called upon to pay them. Faithfully yours, H. Halse. To:- McLean Esq.