Monday 5th. October /57 My dear Sir, As we expect a strong muster of Natives in Town this morning to signify their assent to Katatore's offer, I hasten to explain the two cases concerning Mr. J.B. White in last months diary. With regard to the cattle recently removed from Huirangi, I failed to induce the complaining natives to come forward and give evidence against Mr. White for running them there, and his subsequent departure for Whanganui occasioned the delay in their removal. Disinclination on the part of natives to give evidence has been the cause of so few cases having been brought before the Court, and Mr. White has escaped. The horse case was caused in this manner. Some time since it appears that Mr. White passed Rakura with cattle, and a bullock belonging to Tipene (one of a pair) was afterwards missed and has not since been found. As might have been expected from the character Mr. White has earned for himself, suspicion attached to him, and Te Ito directed Tipene to take Mr. White's horse. Not deeming it advisable to take this case into court, I wrote to Te Ngahuru and Te Ito, requesting them to cause the horse to be brought in to me, which was accordingly done, and I trust that the course adopted will meet with your approval. The "Dinapore" (?) has not arrived and really it is well that she has not, as the weather has been unuaually severe of late. Faithfully yours, H. Halse. To:- McLean Esq. Timotui, of the Ninia, relative of Paora te Kopi, died last Saturday, and is to be buried this morning. Poihipi, of the Hua, is dying and several others in this district appear to me to be in the same state. Everywhere the mortality appears to be increasing amongst them and it is singular that it should be confined to the young of both sexes, including their children. H.H. Te Ngahuru in his letter to you regards land purchases in the Taranaki district as quite out of the question, probably that more power may be hastened upon him, when a purchase is effected and to shew that he is not idle in the matter.