Private. My dear Sir, A natural solicitude to avoid a false step to the injury of my family prevents an answer being given to that part of your letter in reference to my future employment, particularly as I am in the dark as to where you contemplate sending me, the nature of the duties and the salary attached to the office. The difficulty in selling property just now owing to the general depression is immense and coupled with the expense of moving makes it impossible to manage the one or meet the other without embarrassment. I had hoped that when our native troubles ceased my services would have been called into active operation and as I feel confident that this Province has seen its worst days I should like to try my hand with the waste lands whenever it may be considered by you prudent to do so. It is likely there will be a little more skirmishing before the question is finally settled but that will not occasion any anxiety here and certainly none elsewhere. With regard to native doggedness nothing presents more for reflection than a visit to Waitara, which with the exception of a few insignificant cultivations, is the same wild as it was 15 years since. And thus it will continue until these men (W. Kingi and Katatore) are disposed of, or their trade hermetically sealed, the only remaining alternative. At present vessels enter Waitara without check, indeed I doubt whether our officer of customs would be permitted there by the lawless band, accustomed to act with impunity and unacquainted with restraint. Again offering my thanks for the Crown Grant and subsequent trouble taken by you in getting land fenced, believe me faithfully yours H. Halse. P.S. Have you any objection to my writing to you for forage allowance for the last half year. The expense was necessarily incurrred for the Public Service and backed by yourself would be allowed. H.H. Aug. 20, 1856. Mrs. Halse was confined yesterday with a son and I am glad to say both are doing well. The other children are harassed with the hooping cough which is quite an epidemic here amongst European children. Once amongst the natives they will drop of by scores for nothing could save them. Will you do me the favor to get the enclosed Requisition approved --- it is a portion of the one forwarded to you in May last. The 2nd. Requisition forwarded the previous Feby. was returned approved last week but it did not embrace the articles in the Requisition now forwarded to you for approval. H.H.