Auckland, 28 Jany., 1850. My Dear Sir, I am obliged to you for your late letters although I have hardly time to answer them. The Taranaki-onians must be in high feather just now with such a gay assemblage of strangers. It is a bold design, the giving the ladies a ball and shew the mettle of the place. You will no doubt find them all disposed to be much pleased with the place and your efforts to amuse them. I know I should be delighted to have an opportunity of seeing the fun, but as I cannot be there I hope you will make Mr. Clarke collect and dry as many specimens as you can of flowers and ferns and mosses as high up the Mountain as you can. Dont you fall in love with Miss Susan for she is adored here and if you were to attempt a trespass you would be sure to be called out and shot I speak disinterestedly and only out of humanity to you. I have no news to tell you, but most probably you dont want any as you will be so taken up with the gay strangers. I enclose a letter for Clarke - should he be gone pray send it after him I have not time to write him at present. Yours truly, A. Sinclair.