New Plymouth March 24, 1857. . My dear Sir, Since writing to you I have had a satisfactory discussion with Katatore, Wiremu Kingi and Hapurona at the Kawau pa. The interview in question somewhat resembled a game of chess and owing to some wild moves on their part I had a clear advantage and with your assistance will checkmate them yet. With management, Mahau's services in this important game may be obtained and I would suggest that you send him a letter seeking his opinion of Ihaia's tikanga. I make this suggestion because Mahau has not come boldly forward and until he moves, it is impossible to pin him. If you can manage to do same thing for Karipa, or Haeana, perhaps the first would be the best mark, I am of opinion that the Government would have no occasion to regret it. Karipa shews a desire to go any length with Katatore and I wish to prevent this before it is too late. There is an evident feeling in favor of settling the land question but fear of each other is the difficulty I am now contending against - Katatore is jealous lest any other chief should be first asked to sell land and Mahau is equally jealous lest Katatore should be first asked but I think that the circumstance of either coming forward boldly would decide the other and away would go the land into the sea. Some objection has been taken to Katatore's staff having been erected at Wharepu, by Mr. Parris but I think without sufficient grounds. Perhaps I am out of place in saying anything about it, seeing that I lent him (Parris) the flag and therefore to a certain extent implicated. Right or wrong it is now too late to rectify the matter but I sincerely hope that I may yet be in a position to say that the acquisition of such a block of land is mainly to be attributed to the circumstance of getting that flag from Katatore. You may not be aware that the flag in question has Won it, signifying Waitaha, this is well understood by natives, would that it were equally well understood by some few of our settlers As the injured natives have forgiven Katatore I think it ill becomes us to rake up the old sore which cannot fail to have apredjudicial effect with a set of natives towards whom it is our policy to use consiliating measures. Should you contemplate adding any additional names to the list of Assessors the honor would be readily accepted if it were first understood that Waka and Hone Utuhia were to be paid. Natives here, do not like their names in the list without pay and considering the difficulty in acquiring land, I hope all possible means will be used to assist in getting it. I am going to ask Katatore to give the land seaward of Mangataranoho to Karipa - should he agree I shall then be able to induce Ihaia and Nikorima to abandon the Ikamoana, without prejudicing their title, and thus pave the way for Katatore to come round and make an offer of land which will inevitably lead to the purchase of the whole district. Faithfully yours H. Halse. To:- McLean Esq.