N.P. Dec. 22/58 My dr. Sir, You know that I am always very friendly with Mr. Halse and will not therefore be surprised that he made me acquainted with the contents of your letter to him about assisting Mr. Flight to obtain the assent of the Natives to their Reserves coming under the operation of the "Act". In that letter you intimate to him the probability of his being appointed to the Office which has lately been-given to Mr. Flight and I suppose in that case he would cease to hold the office of Commissioner and some other person would have to be appointed on the Commission to fill his vacated office. Now I am not a-going to object or to dictate but I am sure you will allow me to express my wishes and to offer my friendly suggestions. Well then in the first place I dont want us to lose friend Halse from the Commission and in the second place I think Mr. Flight will do very well as the officer to ascertain the assent of the Natives. So that I should suggest --- let things go on as they are at present --- dont make any alteration until we see a need for it --- "" --- I think the thing will work very well as it is. Mr. Halse hesitated about assisting Mr. Flight until he had your authority to do so --- now that you have given him permission I dont see any objection to his acting as interpreter or Native Secretary Assistant in this business as well as in any other that requires his attention. You will have heard of the death of our old friend Hone Ropiha. He had been a little poorly but no one thought him seriously ill. He was in Town last Friday and on Sunday he conducted worship and preached to his people as usual but on Monday morning early the report of many muskets announced his death. He was buried yesterday. We can badly afford to lose such men. If it had been some others the people here would have been ready to set the bells a ringing with rejoicing. Pardon haste Yours truly J. Whiteley. D. McLean Esq.