Auckland 20th Novr., 1855 My dear McLean, I drop a line, thinking it might overtake you in Wellington. After 3 or 4 days very hard fighting we succeeding in paying the several Tribes you left in Town, but was obliged to hand out £1500 instead of £1200. It turned out that the two young men who came forward as the managing hands were not authorizedto do so - The day after you left a young man by the name of Jabez introduced a claim for £2 or 300, and it turned out that the Surveyor General had formerly promised him £50. I therefore took the opportunity to introduce his claims into this Deed, so that altogether it was only an advance of £250 - People I think seem satisfied with what has been done. Katipa and Wata - two important men were also present - the first seems to be a through villain, and indeed the whole of the natives here seem to be very treacherous in their mode of dealing - I will send you a copy of my Report of the payment which was witnessed by Nugent and Gisborne etc. It was a very tiring job. White has gone out to Papakura to settle the Puketotara Boundary, and afterwards we proceed upon the Orakei business, having had a conference with Kawau and Tinana today, and to effect the payment if I can get the money. The Treasurer was away during the Waiuku payment and the Dr. and myself, were obliged to get the money as best we could. A select Committee is sitting for information on the best mode for the purchase of lands. Several people have been examined I was in attendance on Saturday and am to go again tomorrow - Busby, Clarke, and Whitaker. I have recommended that Mr.Ormsby should hasten the completion of the Surveys at Waiuku so as to open up the Block as soon as possible but it appears that Surveys have been going on only at his leisure time, and that it will take him 5 or 6 weeks to complete his work - I have written officially on this subject. I don't much think the block can be ready before that time. When Katipa was in the other day he spoke of the payments to him as yet to be made. I referred to the Pounamu's as being something extra good - the old Savage's eyes glistened up when I said that you probably might bring them up with you, he says there were 4 promised, and in order to save you any further trouble and anxiety about procuring them, I have bespoken 3 from John Hobbs at £30 each - this will be a cheap arrangement, perhaps I had better secure a fourth before they are all gone. I have been getting those Taranaki accounts into somewhat of order, but I think some of Coopers accounts are missing or have yet to come. I have been enabled to pass Liddell's £70 for passages which he was paid today. Everything shall be forwarded by the steamer of any importance. McInnes is well. Hope Russell enjoys the !! Kind regards to McDonnell, Cooper Believe me, Yours faithfully, H.T.Kemp