Parris is in the Patea district and I have telegraphed to him to look into the matter of the stoppage of Surveys and Riddles matter also. His letter of instruction will have gone on to Taranaki. To save him a journey therefore I telegraphed to him - I have also instructed Capns.Wrey and Blake to give him all the assistance they can in their power. I got a telegram from Kemp to say that a sad accident had occurred at the Bay. The Chief Pewiri Tarapata and his sons (who were whaling) got fast to a whale - which dragged them out to sea - a storm came on and nothing of them has been seen since - the two relief boats succeeding in making the land - crews in a very exhausted state. I send you some private letters addressed to you which have arrived here since you left. Very faithfully yours, Hy. T. Clarke.